Bragging session #2

What I haven't told you yet is that I had the opportunity to take a half lease on Angie. And I did! I am soooooo proud! This suddenly allows me to ride 3-4 times a week. And as I was saying, the two last times I went, I was by myself, experimenting, pushing my limits, decidedly pushing way beyond my comfort zone. 

Not that I do anything foolish, but the simple fact that I feel responsible for the horse and the barn, for my own security, for choosing the order of the exercices, for evaluating my position and success rate without having anyone hinting on anything is something brand new for me and I believe will help me grow in confidence and overall as a rider.

Today, class was particularly difficult. We worked on my position, I think I had focused more or the horse's movements lately and my body alignment had suffered a little over the past few weeks. I was also told that Angie's conformation versus my body type makes my position a little less accurate than when I was riding Meeka. So there's another challenge for me, opening up those hips and lowering those heels until I only work with my calves and my legs are completely fixed. But over the course of this only lesson, I already felt a difference and at least, I know better know how to assess my position (so far: if it hurt my adductors, It's pretty darn perfect).

This arena is so much smaller than the previous, I would say about half the size. So you do have to ride quite differently. The footing is also a lot deeper, so between this and the corners that come way faster than they used to, Angie needs a lot of leg support. For these reasons, among others, It seemed a little more difficult to canter today and I became a bit nervous. Cynthia decided to try and change my mind by teaching me how to do FLYING CHANGES!!!! I was so happy!

It was not difficult at all, mainly because Angie is a pro. What I found the most difficult was turning the infamous corner that was fast coming right after the "jump" and that we cut cantering with a pretty sharp turn. The good news is that I managed to stay in the saddle even if I was jolted around a little. Boost in confidence but new surge of apprehention. I'll deal with it, I so love to feel the progression in my riding skills. 

I also love the fact that I think I figured out (even if she has not said so) that Cynthia has a "plan". I think she wants me to get somewhere and that all that I do, all that she teaches me has a sigle purpose: get me to jump. I don't know if I will, but she certainly got me thinking enough so that now, I kind of hope that I will! 

I guess we'll see! ;-)

Bragging session #1

I am just back from the barn. Tonight, I was there all by myself. Indeed, somewhere around 15 horses, and little me. The chomping of hay, the swishing of tails, the eventual whinney and roll in the straw, the musky smell... how in the world did I get so lucky???

Well, a good look at my paddocks provided some hints : they used to be nice and shiny and now, they have this telltale wear around the edges. What used to be stiff leather is now supple and soft as skin. I now own four pair of breeches, some with knee patches, and even a full seat and now have personal preferences whereas just a little over a year ago I didn't have a clue and chose with colour in mind instead of functionality. So here's my take on what happened: one lesson at a time, one ride at a time, with patience and sometimes even stubbornness, I became a true rider!

What a precious gift I gave myself in choosing to ride and in being persistent.

Tonight, I wanted to practice having softer hands and properly bending corners. But Angie and I also did some shoulder and haunches in, serpentines, figures of eight, and even walk to canter on both leads and the dreaded down transitions... who would have thought? In september of 07, when I first saddled Easterner, the huge bay gelding I used to ride, I was nothing short of terrified and now, I am full of confidence and doing all of this by myself! Yes, ladies and gents, without the careful instructions of a coach (not that I don't value mine's input when she's there, aaaaall the contrary!!!)

I am so grateful! I just had to tell.

I'll be back for bragging session #2, so much stuff has happened it doesn't even fit into my head, let alone one skimpy blog post. ;-)

Cheers!