I probably shouldn't have stopped my Posting Diagonal Jar Tally. I was so off this last lesson that I must have been mentally somewhere else. I really was just out to lunch. My instructor called me out repeatedly at the start of our lesson about not having the right posting diagonals. I was totally embarrassed and frustrated. Then I was having trouble with Ariel to keeping her bent to the turn at a certain section of the arena. I don't know why but everytime we pass the west (short) side, she is looking another way or wants to head straight out the arena! The trot is also speedy and choppy and I'm having trouble keeping us in check.
I'm not riding alone tonight so that's probably a good thing, actually. I used to have private lessons (just lucky) on Thursday nights and would spend the entire hour being taught and assessed and reminded about things. Those were tough evenings but I have learned so much and looked forward to them. I think that a lot of the weaknesses in my riding are due primarily to my fitness level... particularly my tightness and imbalances of the body from my office job. But, it seems that I have a new classmate now! HOORAY!!
Getting back to the lesson... it started out pretty blotchy. Sheri moved onwards and got us working on a jump... we continued to botch things and it was like both of us were totally off our game. We were being left behind or throwing ourselves into the jumps--that SUCKED. Sheri decided to change it up and set up another jump instead and started REALLY low. LOL At first it was like wtf is going on today?! But, once I went over the jump a couple times, I started getting it! There was one turn where I told myself to breathe, close my arm pits, turn my body when I looked and to use my seat and legs... and as if it was magic, things came together. Not just for me but my classmate! We both started getting over that single jump and not only were we jumping the jump... but we were moving on up! She was gradually raising the jumps and finally, we were jumping at 2'9. For me, it was the first time I've ever jumped that high. I remember seeing the jump and actually having the thoughts of "holy crap that's so freggin high!!" go through my mind as I was approaching it. I felt like I got left behind but Sheri told me the jump was excellent and that what I needed to work on was my upper body position over the jump.
That's all totally fixable and the fact that the other things came together so well just meant that I am continuing to move along. I don't really look forward to jumping THAT high in the near future but I do look forward to knowing that I have control over what I'm doing and that I'm capable of accomplishing what I need to.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
As One Door Closes... Another Opens
A couple weeks ago, my instructor lost her beloved (dressage) horse. You might think he was just another horse but they had a true bond. It doesn't happen with every horse and rider but there are couples that just click (kind of like people!) and the bond is literally unshakable.
I hate when people lose their animals companions because the loss is very palatable for me; I've lost 2 cats in 2 years and I know it's a heart ache only animal people understand. I haven't found my "heart horse" but I would imagine that the bond with a rider and their beast to be beyond that of a companion... after all, they are your teammate where the level of trust and confidence in the other must be unshakable in order to do some of the things that these duos do. If you don't ride, think about it this way... a horse is 900lbs+ and could easily injure or kill you, yet it doesn't but lets you get on its back and tell IT what to do.
Generally, I"m not sure what to say... other then "I'm so sorry". But, when you're the one dealing with the loss, those words are never truly enough. I started the "Posting Diagonal Jar Tally" to try and train out a bad habit of me ignoring my diagonals. I wasn't too sure what I would end up doing with the money but I knew I would send the money to a cause that supported horses (or cats). But, I've been inspired to donate the money to Equine Guelph to the research and equid welfare groups in memory of her horse.
As a transition from both counting diagonals (and in a sense, a new chapter for my instructor too), I'm closing the Posting Diagonal Jar Tally and looking for something new to focus on...
I hate when people lose their animals companions because the loss is very palatable for me; I've lost 2 cats in 2 years and I know it's a heart ache only animal people understand. I haven't found my "heart horse" but I would imagine that the bond with a rider and their beast to be beyond that of a companion... after all, they are your teammate where the level of trust and confidence in the other must be unshakable in order to do some of the things that these duos do. If you don't ride, think about it this way... a horse is 900lbs+ and could easily injure or kill you, yet it doesn't but lets you get on its back and tell IT what to do.
Generally, I"m not sure what to say... other then "I'm so sorry". But, when you're the one dealing with the loss, those words are never truly enough. I started the "Posting Diagonal Jar Tally" to try and train out a bad habit of me ignoring my diagonals. I wasn't too sure what I would end up doing with the money but I knew I would send the money to a cause that supported horses (or cats). But, I've been inspired to donate the money to Equine Guelph to the research and equid welfare groups in memory of her horse.
As a transition from both counting diagonals (and in a sense, a new chapter for my instructor too), I'm closing the Posting Diagonal Jar Tally and looking for something new to focus on...
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Lesson 100: an Epic Fall
The definition of "lesson 100" gets a little bit fuzzy because I went with the group on a long hack/trail ride on Friday and then I had my formal lesson on Sunday. I consider hacks lessons since you still need to pull yourself together enough to ride but might not need to pay as much attention to the specific technical details a lesson would. But, again, it's a bit fuzzy since last week was a pretty intense week in terms of other stuff that was going on and my official lesson 100 was supposed to be on Thursday but something came up that had me cancel the lesson.
The hack was... an adventure, to say the least! We did have to rush out to the stable right after work and the traffic was a challenge on a Friday evening but that was mostly the boring/annoying part. Good thing our horses were already tacked up so that we could just get moving. The weather was amazing and the sunset was perfect... it was such a stunning view of the fields and the hills and forest/bush. The only issue I have with Ariel is her dominant-mare-ness. She insists on being at the front of the group and makes every effort to get as close as possible, often times with her nose in the other horse's butt. And in open space, she took every opportunity to speed up to sneakily bounce past the other horses... and eventually, I'd be at the front of the pack and I'd have to ask J where to go.
As the hack was wrapping up, we were trotting through some bush that I've been through before, near the stable. Most of us were on larger horses with the exception of one of the girls who was on a pony... the pony had trouble keeping up at a trot with the other horses so he took off in a gallop but when we turned, he realized it too late and his poor rider fell off as he deeked the turn. It wasn't a pretty picture... the pony took off and so did the lead horse (both without riders). Then Ariel got it in her head that something bad must be making its way over so she best get going to lead the others out of there too. I've rarely had too much trouble with her but she was giving me A LOT of trouble and was low rearing and bucking when I tried to turn her around towards the group. I knew she wouldn't throw me but she was certainly trying to tell me she wanted to get the heck outta there to find the others. I'm lucky she didn't throw me in the bush... the disagreements weren't getting better and I eventually let her move forward towards home a few steps so that she'd calm down. I thought I'd give her her head and space and then try to turn her back but every time she's rearing and bucking. Eventually I knew it wasn't going to get better so I stopped fighting her and went with her. But that was a mistake because once she broke into the field, she just made a beeline for home. At this point I lost my left stirrup and while struggling to get my foot back in, I couldn't keep my balance and toppled over... BAM. I'm lucky I landed on my back in the field and I had my helmet on. I knew that I had to get up quickly though, because who knows where Ariel's horse brain told her to go.... but when I turned around, she was standing a couple steps away, eating... REALLY? ARGH.
I didn't feel the pain right away but boy was I sore the next few days...
Of course, the trooper that I am, I confirmed with +ADW that all was well and that Sunday was good to have me return to my regular scheduled lesson. We rode in the outside arena and worked on the usual trot (sitting and posting) and canter to solidify those gaits. We moved to jumping some low jumps too and I have to admit, these were challenging to get the turn just right. Esp since my crazy left wing and my loopy right side are causing issues with directing Ariel appropriately. In comparison to the Friday hack, this lesson was pretty low key and we just worked on some jumping and getting our gaits right. I do have to admit though, I'd much rather ride indoors when the sun is hot like that.
I didn't feel the pain right away but boy was I sore the next few days...
Of course, the trooper that I am, I confirmed with +ADW that all was well and that Sunday was good to have me return to my regular scheduled lesson. We rode in the outside arena and worked on the usual trot (sitting and posting) and canter to solidify those gaits. We moved to jumping some low jumps too and I have to admit, these were challenging to get the turn just right. Esp since my crazy left wing and my loopy right side are causing issues with directing Ariel appropriately. In comparison to the Friday hack, this lesson was pretty low key and we just worked on some jumping and getting our gaits right. I do have to admit though, I'd much rather ride indoors when the sun is hot like that.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Lesson 99: I got 99 Problems but a Horse Ain't One
I don't like to use controversial phrases as titles but let's take it literally in this instance. I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has what seems like a bazillion other problems or difficulties I contend with regularly. But, I'm glad that the horse I ride isn't one of them. But then again, that depends on your perspective ;)
We had Sunday's lesson indoors with the big door wide open so the horses were being tempted with running straight out into the outdoor ring or their paddocks. I don't know if Sheri did that to add a distraction for our horses and thus, to really test our control. It was a good test though... because the first few times Ariel wanted to go running straight out that door and she'd speed up towards it and actually slow down when we were going the opposite direction. What a pain that mare can be! :P
We started with lots of trot exercises... collected working trot and lengthened trot. Ariel hates lengthened trot... literally, it was as if nothing at all changed when I pushed her to do the lengthened trot. Sheri reminds us that while we squeeze them onwards, we had to be careful not to let them break into a canter and to just lengthen their stride; breaking into the canter would be a "release" for them because the lengthening requires more work, of them. I love that Ariel is coming along so well because when things are right on my end, she frames!
During the trot exercises, we are asked to change from posting to sitting trot... and to calmly sit the trot without disturbing the horses' pace. Sit up and breathe, we're reminded. I do notice that my thigh contact is way better than it used to be and my lower back is loosened some where I can comfortably ride that trot for extended periods. And, as I've noticed before, Ariel's always been able to trot just fine (:P) but when I do things correctly, she also comes together and does them as she's supposed to. The only thing is my wacky left arm and wrist is not always under control so I need to take more notice.
Sheri says that the first part of our lesson was focused primarily on stretching and lengthening the horses from front to back. Next, we move to lateral movements from side to side. We work on leg yields. It's a good exercise to make the horse more flexible (particularly their shoulders) and it is helpful in practical terms. This is a tricky exercise because it depends on the horse's experience with that sort of movement.
Although Ariel complains about it a bit at the end, she and I manage to get a few correct steps of the leg yielding with the correct bend and I'm really pleased with what she's able to accomplish because I've been told she loves to jump but isn't a huge fan of these types of suppling exercises. Despite that, she does wonderfully and I'm very happy because I think we could have done more once I get the feel of knowing when to counter with my outside leg so I can keep her straight.
Posting Diagonal Jar Tally = 3 x $2.00 = $6.00
To date = $201.00
We had Sunday's lesson indoors with the big door wide open so the horses were being tempted with running straight out into the outdoor ring or their paddocks. I don't know if Sheri did that to add a distraction for our horses and thus, to really test our control. It was a good test though... because the first few times Ariel wanted to go running straight out that door and she'd speed up towards it and actually slow down when we were going the opposite direction. What a pain that mare can be! :P
We started with lots of trot exercises... collected working trot and lengthened trot. Ariel hates lengthened trot... literally, it was as if nothing at all changed when I pushed her to do the lengthened trot. Sheri reminds us that while we squeeze them onwards, we had to be careful not to let them break into a canter and to just lengthen their stride; breaking into the canter would be a "release" for them because the lengthening requires more work, of them. I love that Ariel is coming along so well because when things are right on my end, she frames!
During the trot exercises, we are asked to change from posting to sitting trot... and to calmly sit the trot without disturbing the horses' pace. Sit up and breathe, we're reminded. I do notice that my thigh contact is way better than it used to be and my lower back is loosened some where I can comfortably ride that trot for extended periods. And, as I've noticed before, Ariel's always been able to trot just fine (:P) but when I do things correctly, she also comes together and does them as she's supposed to. The only thing is my wacky left arm and wrist is not always under control so I need to take more notice.
Sheri says that the first part of our lesson was focused primarily on stretching and lengthening the horses from front to back. Next, we move to lateral movements from side to side. We work on leg yields. It's a good exercise to make the horse more flexible (particularly their shoulders) and it is helpful in practical terms. This is a tricky exercise because it depends on the horse's experience with that sort of movement.
Although Ariel complains about it a bit at the end, she and I manage to get a few correct steps of the leg yielding with the correct bend and I'm really pleased with what she's able to accomplish because I've been told she loves to jump but isn't a huge fan of these types of suppling exercises. Despite that, she does wonderfully and I'm very happy because I think we could have done more once I get the feel of knowing when to counter with my outside leg so I can keep her straight.
Posting Diagonal Jar Tally = 3 x $2.00 = $6.00
To date = $201.00
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Blog Hop: Continuation School
This is the first time I've tried one of these things; I'm trying the blog hop from Viva Carlos' blog that asks the question: why do you continue to ride?
I have been riding for just under 2 years now. I took it up as an adult because I never had the opportunity as a kid. I could have stopped... considering the location of the stable is an hour each way. I currently ride twice a week (both are lessons) and it's challenging on weeknights to go up on your own when you're already tired. But, I keep going because it allows me to let go of everything that brings me down. Yes, I don't always have a shining lesson and I get frustrated, but I realize that all these things are under my control and I always have the chance to learn and improve.
As well, the change of scenery in every way imaginable is such a huge factor of what keeps me going. I work in an office with little to no autonomy some days and lately, I've been having more crappy than good days. So, when I get up there, the scenery of the country, the air, the animals that don't lie to you or keep a sneaky agenda are all around. Everything is (in a way) pure and un-adulterated by humans.
I sound a little cynical but riding has helped me get on with the cynicism that I have to face on a frequent basis... it helps me refocus and see the forest for the trees. I'm reminded about how complex yet simple nature can be... how fair animals and nature, are--you get back what you put in. I have the opportunity to spend a lot of alone time to reflect or just be. All this aids in redirecting my frustrations and actually helps me apply skills learned in riding (not so much how to canter... but more like learning to change perspective etc) to other areas.
Even when I'm wiped, I still find the time I spend doing this to be very refreshing and helpful with getting me refocused.
I have been riding for just under 2 years now. I took it up as an adult because I never had the opportunity as a kid. I could have stopped... considering the location of the stable is an hour each way. I currently ride twice a week (both are lessons) and it's challenging on weeknights to go up on your own when you're already tired. But, I keep going because it allows me to let go of everything that brings me down. Yes, I don't always have a shining lesson and I get frustrated, but I realize that all these things are under my control and I always have the chance to learn and improve.
As well, the change of scenery in every way imaginable is such a huge factor of what keeps me going. I work in an office with little to no autonomy some days and lately, I've been having more crappy than good days. So, when I get up there, the scenery of the country, the air, the animals that don't lie to you or keep a sneaky agenda are all around. Everything is (in a way) pure and un-adulterated by humans.
I sound a little cynical but riding has helped me get on with the cynicism that I have to face on a frequent basis... it helps me refocus and see the forest for the trees. I'm reminded about how complex yet simple nature can be... how fair animals and nature, are--you get back what you put in. I have the opportunity to spend a lot of alone time to reflect or just be. All this aids in redirecting my frustrations and actually helps me apply skills learned in riding (not so much how to canter... but more like learning to change perspective etc) to other areas.
Even when I'm wiped, I still find the time I spend doing this to be very refreshing and helpful with getting me refocused.
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