The film,
Michael Clayton, came out last year starring George Clooney. It was a legal thriller full of corruption which at times leaves you with a sense of hopelessness for humanity. For those who have seen the film, you can probably guess where I am going. There is a short scene at the beginning and again at the end of the movie involving three horses. Mr. Clooney is in deep and his life is a mess. He is driving through the countryside when his GPS malfunctions. He pulls over and sees three horses standing on the hillside. They are motionless, but they stare at him and he is captivated. He gets out of the car and walks into the field. The horses are simple yet beautiful the way the morning light splashes behind them. A grey, a sorrel, and a bay. He approaches them slowly, almost afraid they will run away. As he gets closer, the two turn away, but the bay holds his gaze. For an instant you see the weight of the world lifted off Clooney and he almost laughs to himself. Then his car blows up behind him and the terrified horses run away.
It is one of the
coolest scenes in cinema but it also seems strange, surreal, and must hold some symbolism. I have thought about that scene many times, wondering why it was so simple yet so powerful to watch. For me, the horses stand on the hillside almost as old souls standing in judgement. Their beauty seems to transform him and he is face to face with "grace" steering him to the right path. There could be other meanings. Maybe they conjure up a memory, begging a return to childhood innocence or a more innocent America when Westerns could convince an audience that a moral code was still at work. In India, statues of three horses symbolize success; victory, strength, and perseverance. As George gazed into the eyes of that bay, he saw those things and knew what he needed to do to come out the other side. Maybe he saw the horses as "free." They stood there so majestic, answering to no one and he relished that idea. Maybe he was remembering a line from his friend, "Do you have the horses for that?", in regards to taking on the corrupt company. In seeing these horses, he realizes he has the strength and the power to do the right thing. Some have said the son was reading a book called "Realm and Conquest" that had a page with a horse standing by a tree. When George spots the horses he remembers the book and regrets not reading the book his son kept recommending. I googled some stuff and a book came up called
"The love of horses" by Micheal Clayton sold on Amazon. Hmmmm.
Whatever the meaning behind that scene, it is beautiful. Maybe it is the admiration and the awe on Clooney's face that I understand. I feel that pull of fascination every time I look at horses. It draws me out of the house on rainy days, it pushes me to ride farther, to run faster, to seek out that gaze that locks on me and answers all my questions. If anyone has seen the film, I would love to hear your take. If not check it out...did I mention it has George Clooney in it:-)?
Snow again. Maddy was walking on "high heels" when I went out to see her today. He shoes had compacted the snow and she was about 3 inches off the ground. She is in heat and has romancing the handsome Fresian cross, Ronan. This week has been a little difficult with her attention elsewhere. We are pushing on and doing cavalettis under saddle. Wow, what a great feeling that is to get that stretch over the poles and have her continue like that through out her workout. 
She is starting to feel like a real dressage horse. We are having a "show" meeting on Saturday. Our trainer is going to talk about and plan for the up coming season. I would like to do some schooling shows, if not this year, maybe the next. It would give me a sense of accomplishment after all we have been through together.
On another note..my friend Kacy over at All Horse Stuff is leaving the barn. I am going to miss her. This is her snow covered truck and trailer. Lots of memories for me and Maddy with that truck and trailer. Our first experience trailering out, our first trip to the beach, and our first experience "horse" camping. Lots of good times. Kacy and Wa have a special place in my heart...she was willing to share her summer adventures with me and I will be eternally grateful for helping me reach so many of my goals with Maddy. She is going to find her happiness at another barn, but she will remain a friend and a cherished "horse sister."
