QUOTE : How are your equestrian skills?” Catherine asked us. “I don’t really have any,” I replied. “Me neither,” said Mike. Catherine frowned, as though this was a failing of our schooling somehow. “Have either of you ever ridden a horse at all?” “Does a carousel count?” Mike asked. “Seeing as those horses aren’t alive, no.” “Then I haven’t.” “I rode one at a petting zoo once,” I said. “Although it might have been a donkey.” “None of that is very encouraging,” Catherine replied.