After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time! most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the
I have not taken a riding lesson since I graduated from college in 2001. I did take driving lessons within the past 7 years however. I miss being a student of riding. :(
I started Dreamy under saddle in 2003, but did not actually start doing anything "for real" until the end of 2006. We were successful at the "ameoba" levels in 2007, but I knew I had taken her as far I as could without an instructor. There were holes in her training that I knew I needed help with. Mostly I knew I was not riding her correctly, as seven years without instruction does lend itself to BAD HABITS. And boy do I have some.
I started Dreamy under saddle in 2003, but did not actually start doing anything "for real" until the end of 2006. We were successful at the "ameoba" levels in 2007, but I knew I had taken her as far I as could without an instructor. There were holes in her training that I knew I needed help with. Mostly I knew I was not riding her correctly, as seven years without instruction does lend itself to BAD HABITS. And boy do I have some.
Look at those ELBOWS! UGGGG.....
Riding HUNT SEAT in a dressage saddle! UGGGGG!
.jpg)
I love the area I live in....usually. There are downfalls, such as finding a (good) dressage instructor. Not only do I NOT want to drive 45-60 minutes to take a lesson, with gas prices I just cannot afford it.
So I finally found an instructor about 20 minutes from me in the neighboring town. Judy is fantastic. So far we have taken 2 lessons: May 6 and May 20. I can only budget two lessons a month (every other week) for now. My instructor is very willing to work within my budget and gives me lots of homework. :)
The first lesson was mostly about getting my hands where they should be. I tend to ride with "piano hands", where I basically break the line in my wrist to the bit. And I tend to ride with my reins too long. And think about seven years worth of riding this way every day. :)
And of course Dreamy decides she cannot pick up the canter. Oh fun! So we did a bunch of transitions, mostly her running through all of my aids. But at least Judy got to see us at our worst and she did not kick me out of the ring! :)
Our May 20 lesson (last night) was SO MUCH BETTER. We actually have canter transitions now! :) I worked very hard getting Dreamy to engage and balance and step into the canter, rather than plow into it. ;-) And Judy could tell! Yeah! We did some leg yielding and canter exercises. Things are starting to look up.
Next lesson is June 3. :)
Comments
Post a Comment
Thanks for leaving a comment!