This reminds me of a bit of dragon lore that I use in my game.A blue who was partnered with a martial spellcaster who rode him.
Dragons find it offensive to say that somebody "rides" them. You ride animals, and it sets up a power relationship where the rider has the power.
If you are very nice and the dragon likes you, however, they might carry you. This puts the dragon in the active position, and of course when you carry something, you can always drop it if you like.