Goldberg was tired. It was already getting dark, and the evening cold rolled in. Years ago he would not have had to put up with this. Back then, when he had been young and strong and could run like the wind, he would have been allowed to rest instead of running circles under floodlights. For sure, he would be running circles, but it would be in bright daylight. There would be an ecstatic crowd cheering him on. He would be carrying a much lighter and more skilful rider who could move in perfect synchrony with the rhythm of Goldberg's full gallop, instead of these strange city people in their awkward positions that always bounced the wrong way, making every step uncomfortable. He would most certainly not be trailing Shredding in a slow trot, he dash past that arrogant fool and make sure he never caught up with him again. At least the nearby fire kept the flies away. And there would be hay and apples later. Maybe retirement was not all that bad. Much better than what had happened to many of his old friends. Goldberg shivered at the thought. Still, he missed the old days.

What really happened was that Cissy's friend's friend gave us a pair of tickets for a trial course at the Olympic Club horse school in Chiba (very close to Narita Airport, you can see planes landing and taking off). For both of us, this has been the first time on horseback (not counting donkeys, elephants, camels, or petting zoos), and it was fun. Actual riding time was two half-hour sessions (mounting, dismounting, stopping, turning, walk, trot), in addition to that some classroom basics (Horse Anatomy 101), an introduction of the various membership plans, and quite some time on the bus. The course spans two days, so we will go again next weekend.