Everything before led up to this moment: the first ride. I had worked for three years to get to this point. After, I felt more accomplished than in any other moment in my life. I had finally succeeded. Every long day in the rain, wind, or 120-degree heat had paid off. He and I were finally there, finally at my goal. We had gotten there together. This is my greatest accomplishment: finally riding the horse I had raised from the day he was born.