Ever ride a horse?

I'm talking about more than just sitting on a horse as it walks in a circle at the carnival or state fair.

I've only ridden a horse one time. My coworker organized a little trip where we'd get to go on a trail-ride for a few hours. The place was over an hour away from here. We ended up driving into the woods where a light drizzle fell. We were each paired with a horse - mine was named Trinity.

I immediately thought of the chick in black leather from The Matrix.

The ride started out smoothly enough. All I really had to do was sit on the horse and occasionally steer it by pulling the reigns to the left or the right. Our ride leaders set out in front and all the horses followed in a straight line.

As we went deeper into the woods it got progressively darker. The rain also became more annoying. Eventually we reached the base of a hill. The horses would have to run up the hill - I think the proper term was 'canter' which isn't exactly a full-speed-ahead pace. I believe 'gallop' is the fastest. We were instructed to stand up on the stirrups and lean forward. One by one the horses ran up the hill, seemingly without paying any attention to our commands.

Trinity lurched forward as I stood up. I leaned forward but the bouncing was quite violent. I managed not to fall to my death and was relieved when we reached the top. All that's really holding you on the horse are your feet in the stirrups.

The ride eventually stopped for a campfire with smores. It was a nice break...I always enjoy campfires. The sight of the flame, the warmth...the smokiness.

After awhile we resumed our ride. It was now pitch black outside. As we exited the woods we came upon a paved asphalt road. I couldn't see anything now. All of a sudden the horses started sprinting. I futilely tried to pull back the reigns to slow Trinity but she kept speeding forward following the other horses.

At this point I was standing up yet ducking forward, praying that there were no low hanging branches. I was also thinking 'I hope this horse has good night vision, because I can't see a damn thing.'

It was quite a terrifying experience. Speeding ahead, accelerating into the darkness.