Pay no attention to the horse behind the curtain.

Actually, you should probably pay attention to this one.

I am Oz, The Great and Powerful, a 5-year-old Arabian gelding standing a mighty 14 hands high and I have recently arrived on the Yellow Brick Road to see where it leads. I may be young and still learning the ropes, but there is already something rather magical happening here. I am a stunning dapple grey, with a black & grey mane and tail and when I move, well… let us simply say that if you hear someone say “my, what fancy movement,” I am probably the reason.

I have the most wonderfully floaty gaits, a lovely natural self-carriage, and a brain that may be a little too clever for my own good. Give me a new lesson and I am usually halfway through figuring it out before everyone has finished explaining it. I am still learning my way down the Yellow Brick Road, but I am proving to be a very quick study.

My training fences may not yet be the gates of the Emerald City but I approach them with plenty of bravery and enthusiasm. I am clever enough to think about what I’m doing without becoming reckless and I have the sort of confidence that makes you wonder what might happen when I’m a little older, a little stronger, and have a few more adventures under my belt. Perhaps there is a ruby slipper or rather a rosette in my future.

I do have a little Toto in me, however. I am spunky. I am sassy. I have opinions. Quite a lot of them actually, and I am not particularly interested in keeping them behind the curtain. Beneath all that Arabian personality is a brave, thoughtful young horse who is steadily discovering just how much he can do.

Every traveler needs a companion on the road, and I have found mine in Wolfie, our old grey Arabian. Perhaps it is true that birds of a feather flock together, or perhaps two grey Arabians simply recognize greatness when they see it. Either way, we have become great friends. Wolfie has seen a few more miles of the Yellow Brick Road than I have so I suppose it is useful to have an experienced guide.

For now, I am still making my way toward the Emerald City or, in my case, the eventing arenas. I have plenty to learn, but the signs are encouraging: fancy movement, natural self-carriage, a clever mind, a brave heart, and enough personality to keep the flying monkeys thoroughly entertained.

So perhaps I am not quite Oz, the Great and Powerful yet but then again, neither was the Wizard at first.

Sometimes you just need a little smoke, a little sparkle, a good pair of ruby slippers, and the courage to follow the road and if you happen to get lost along the way?

There’s no place like home.