I rode Crush this morning before this evil storm blew in...hadnt ridden him since last Thursday; I am always testing him...So today minus spurs and after his usual half hour of jogging in the round pen, I mounted up and he RETAINED what we had worked on last week...RETAINED...what a lovely word...He remembered that jogging is easier than balls-to-the-wall trotting and he JOGGED...I was ecstatic... I think the cutting horses over at Ham Browns' place must have heard me yelling "GOOOOOOOOD BOOOOY!!" I almost cried. His lope was soft and responsive. We loped around the cones and he held it well, no speeding up, no ducking out, no wobbles...Twenty minutes of happiness and I cut it short...he got a rinse and a hug, big nose kisses and turn out until the lightening started up...he was so relaxed he came loping right in when I called him. I see where this may take a while but I got nothin' but time for my big white Doof...