I actually consider today my true first lesson. This was the first time I've ever paid someone to instruct me in horseback riding, anyway. And my family now thinks I'm nuts. Okay, they already thought that...but this evening I just reinforced that perception. ;) I've been a smiling fool ever since I got back from the barn. I just loved riding my horse and learning how to work with her. I can't wait until my next lesson!
This afternoon, we spent much of the time going in small circles, working on achieving an even pace at the walk. And then she introduced the trot - and I wasn't scared! My goal was to get Zoe to trot for a few steps (her slow, smooth trot) and then to have her transition immediately to a nice walk. If she rushed, I either circled her and asked her to do the whole exercise again or made her stop and start up again. And if she took a step after asking for the halt - well, we just kept doing all of this again and again and again......you get the picture. :)
We also worked on asking Zoe to give her head rather than keeping it high in the air like she wants (like most Arabians want, actually!). I know this is something she can do - I'll just have to remind her of her long lost skills.
So I learned that I have a tendency to lean forward and to hold tension in my shoulders. To be sitting up straight in the saddle I have to lean back so far I feel like I'm actually leaning back. Strange feeling, actually. I also forget to keep my thumbs up while turning and move them too far out from the horse. My foot position was never critiqued, but I could tell that I spent the majority of the lesson with my toes pointed down. I'm sure this is something I'll eventually have to work on but my instructor thankfully didn't choose to focus on feet as well as hands....I don't think I could have done it all! There's just so much to remember!
By the end of the lesson, my legs were noticeably tired and I could barely swing my leg over the cantle to dismount. I look forward to the day when I can ride for an hour and still look graceful coming out of the saddle.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
First Lesson
I just love my pony! :)
We went out to the barn for a short visit this afternoon and while I was brushing Zoe another barn resident (A) offered to ride with me. When I got into the arena, she helped me with some mounting tricks (mainly getting Zoe to stand still where I wanted her) and then showed me the correct way to steer Zoe. I was amazed at how much more responsive my horse was once I started doing things a little more correctly - her turns were almost immediate and so smooth. A also helped me with the position of my feet and legs (I had my toes down and legs/ankles too far forward).
She then taught me how to cue for a forehand turn and a haunch turn. Those will take a bit of work for sure. Zoe definitely knows how to do these skills, but she is not one to give anything to me unless I ask correctly. Which I'm not able to do yet.
At one point Zoe picked up a nice trot - and I wasn't scared. I didn't let her keep it up, because that wasn't the point of today's ride, but it was nice to realize I could handle the increased speed. In fact, I felt in control and not nervous for the whole ride. What a nice change!
As I was riding around I remembered that E's first real ride on a horse and "lesson" came from A over 4 years ago! How fitting that she should be the person to help me with Zoe and give me my first lesson too.
We went out to the barn for a short visit this afternoon and while I was brushing Zoe another barn resident (A) offered to ride with me. When I got into the arena, she helped me with some mounting tricks (mainly getting Zoe to stand still where I wanted her) and then showed me the correct way to steer Zoe. I was amazed at how much more responsive my horse was once I started doing things a little more correctly - her turns were almost immediate and so smooth. A also helped me with the position of my feet and legs (I had my toes down and legs/ankles too far forward).
She then taught me how to cue for a forehand turn and a haunch turn. Those will take a bit of work for sure. Zoe definitely knows how to do these skills, but she is not one to give anything to me unless I ask correctly. Which I'm not able to do yet.
At one point Zoe picked up a nice trot - and I wasn't scared. I didn't let her keep it up, because that wasn't the point of today's ride, but it was nice to realize I could handle the increased speed. In fact, I felt in control and not nervous for the whole ride. What a nice change!
As I was riding around I remembered that E's first real ride on a horse and "lesson" came from A over 4 years ago! How fitting that she should be the person to help me with Zoe and give me my first lesson too.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Jumping with Briggs
So today's lesson for E was a jumping one. And boy does her pony love to jump! As soon as they get into the arena his ears prick forward and off they go, rushing to the first obstacle. E is very proud of the fact that she and her pony were the only ones not called back to redo any part of the pattern. All of the participants did well - some even doing more than they ever thought possible. This instructor has a gift for successfully pushing the students out of their comfort zones a bit.
She also loved the fact that Jim Briggs really - and I mean really! - liked Monte. He asked if he could pack him into his suitcase and take him home. :)
While chatting on the sidelines, one of the parents suggested we start a parent Pony Club group (I think they are called "Riding Masters" or something like that). Wouldn't that be a hoot? I'm hoping I can be a part of that should it actually come about.
She also loved the fact that Jim Briggs really - and I mean really! - liked Monte. He asked if he could pack him into his suitcase and take him home. :)
While chatting on the sidelines, one of the parents suggested we start a parent Pony Club group (I think they are called "Riding Masters" or something like that). Wouldn't that be a hoot? I'm hoping I can be a part of that should it actually come about.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Jim Briggs Clinic
It's been a busy day at the barn. E rode Monte in a dressage lesson with Jim Briggs, cleaned some stalls, rode a second lesson (on Zoe this time) and then finished mucking stalls. She's one pooped kid - but that didn't stop her from running off to a birthday party at the corn maze tonight! :)
The lessons went well on both horses but E says she still prefers Monte. Her words were that "Zoe knows how to do all that stuff but she makes you work for it. You have to ask her precisely and correctly. Monte just does it because he wants to." So for her, Monte was more fun to ride. I think they know each other so well that it all just flows so much more easily. Given time, she and Zoe could build the same relationship...but for now, she doesn't want to do that.
But I do. :) Next year, it will be me riding in this clinic.....
The lessons went well on both horses but E says she still prefers Monte. Her words were that "Zoe knows how to do all that stuff but she makes you work for it. You have to ask her precisely and correctly. Monte just does it because he wants to." So for her, Monte was more fun to ride. I think they know each other so well that it all just flows so much more easily. Given time, she and Zoe could build the same relationship...but for now, she doesn't want to do that.
But I do. :) Next year, it will be me riding in this clinic.....
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Into the arena
Me and my pony....don't you just love R's pink helmet!
Photos courtesy of R....So today I finally made it out of the round pen. After R and I worked with her on the ground first, I saddled Zoe up and made sure she was responding to my ques while riding in the round pen. Then I asked R to open the gate and off we went into the big arena.
We begin the trek around the big arena....Zoe's pace picked up a little and her ears perked forward as we entered this new space. She was very aware of all the birds coming and going all over the place and was a bit wary of the stacks of jumping standards on one side, but we managed just fine.
Next step - get over my fear of speed and finally ask for a trot. (My heart starts twittering just thinking about it! Yikes!)
E & Monte update: E had her first real gallop last Sunday. We spent the evening at a good friend's house and while the burgers were cooking the kiddos raced through the pastures. It was great to see E and her pony tear by at breakneck speeds - until we saw just Monte race by without his rider! All riding came to a screeching halt while we made sure E was okay (she was - she immediately popped up, stomping up a hill, mad that she had come out of the saddle.). Turns out they tried to jump something and halfway through the jump Monte reconsidered. Rather than pull on her horse's mouth terribly, E let go and fell off. A new rule was set down by me - no jumping in her Western saddle! E quickly agreed that maybe it wasn't the best idea. :) But she did decide that she loves to gallop....and I think Monte loved it too.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Early Birthday Present
Today is the day that Zoe officially joins our family. Yeah!
She has continued to be a sweetie and everyone who has had to handle her sings her praises. Last week our barn manager even told me that if I didn't buy her, she would. We all just love Zoe that much.
Zoe was placed with a small group of mares this past week and seems to have integrated fairly well. She is a little nervous, and definitely not the alpha, but the other horses out there haven't kicked or bitten her; the alpha does run her around a bit, but eventually lets Zoe be. And there is an upside to the running - Zoe is beginning to lose some of her fat and is starting to tone up a little.
I have lost some of my fear while riding Zoe - or at least am more confident that I can manage her at a walk. And a walk is all we have done. I planned to take her up to a trot yesterday, but after a 6+ mile walk earlier in the morning I was already sore; my hips just couldn't take much more! E rode her out in the arena, though, and had a great time. She said that Zoe has a powerful stride and can be quite fast. Hmmmmm......
Fair update: So we survived and there was only one spat of tears this year. And they were quite justified, too. The judging was very strict (no grade inflation this year!) and our motto became "red is the new blue!" The judges would have whole classes with no blues, or with only one or two, and then would decline to hand out Grand/Reserve Champion ribbons. It was unbelievably tough. And disappointing to the children. E managed 4 reds, 1 white (She forgot the pattern, so really deserved the white. But the pattern she did was quite lovely!), and 1 blue. The blue was in Hunter/Hack - the jumping class, so it makes sense that she would get a blue in it. That's what she and Monte have really focused on this past year.
E and Monte participated in the open English show on the Saturday of the fair. This was a hard day for them. In the English Equitation class, the judge asked for the riders to drop their stirrups and post around the arena. E managed to do this - not perfectly, but pass-ibly. The upset came when riders were placed that did not do the skill and she did not get a ribbon at all, even though she had done what was asked. Several people came up to her saying that she really should have been placed over at least 2 of the other competitors. The only reason I can think she wasn't is that the judge was remembering previous rides E had had that were not so stellar and was not basing the current class on the current ride only. So unfair, really. But there's nothing to be done once the judge has made her decision.
She has continued to be a sweetie and everyone who has had to handle her sings her praises. Last week our barn manager even told me that if I didn't buy her, she would. We all just love Zoe that much.
Zoe was placed with a small group of mares this past week and seems to have integrated fairly well. She is a little nervous, and definitely not the alpha, but the other horses out there haven't kicked or bitten her; the alpha does run her around a bit, but eventually lets Zoe be. And there is an upside to the running - Zoe is beginning to lose some of her fat and is starting to tone up a little.
I have lost some of my fear while riding Zoe - or at least am more confident that I can manage her at a walk. And a walk is all we have done. I planned to take her up to a trot yesterday, but after a 6+ mile walk earlier in the morning I was already sore; my hips just couldn't take much more! E rode her out in the arena, though, and had a great time. She said that Zoe has a powerful stride and can be quite fast. Hmmmmm......
Fair update: So we survived and there was only one spat of tears this year. And they were quite justified, too. The judging was very strict (no grade inflation this year!) and our motto became "red is the new blue!" The judges would have whole classes with no blues, or with only one or two, and then would decline to hand out Grand/Reserve Champion ribbons. It was unbelievably tough. And disappointing to the children. E managed 4 reds, 1 white (She forgot the pattern, so really deserved the white. But the pattern she did was quite lovely!), and 1 blue. The blue was in Hunter/Hack - the jumping class, so it makes sense that she would get a blue in it. That's what she and Monte have really focused on this past year.
E and Monte participated in the open English show on the Saturday of the fair. This was a hard day for them. In the English Equitation class, the judge asked for the riders to drop their stirrups and post around the arena. E managed to do this - not perfectly, but pass-ibly. The upset came when riders were placed that did not do the skill and she did not get a ribbon at all, even though she had done what was asked. Several people came up to her saying that she really should have been placed over at least 2 of the other competitors. The only reason I can think she wasn't is that the judge was remembering previous rides E had had that were not so stellar and was not basing the current class on the current ride only. So unfair, really. But there's nothing to be done once the judge has made her decision.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Jumping Lessons
At the end of the jumping lesson tonight, E's instructor called Monte a "scopey pony." Scopey pony? What's that?
I now know that means a horse or pony that has a large "scope" or can jump a large distance/height. Tonight, Monte jumped a 9' spread. A ground pole had been set out to help them set up the jump; he just started his jump from that point and never took the step or two that were supposed to happen in between.
Silly pony. Don't you know I'm just joking when I say you can jump over the moon?
I now know that means a horse or pony that has a large "scope" or can jump a large distance/height. Tonight, Monte jumped a 9' spread. A ground pole had been set out to help them set up the jump; he just started his jump from that point and never took the step or two that were supposed to happen in between.
Silly pony. Don't you know I'm just joking when I say you can jump over the moon?
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