I love my coach

He is amazing. My big fellow got a fright today in the lesson and instead of instinctively reacting with pull back STOP NOW I let him go and then stopped him with my seat and my guy decided that that was ok and he was going to relax. Pulling back on the reins scares my fellow because he used to have a really terrible rider who hung off his mouth and yanked him over every jump (we aren't jumping at the moment, but we'll get there. I haven't jumped since my accident about a month ago where he bolted and I came off and fractured my humerus)

He did decide he was going to have an OMFG BOLT moment and I think he bucked somewhere in there because I fell forwards onto his neck and nearllyyyy came off. But I'm so proud of how I handled it, even though it scared the crap out of me I stayed calm (I am your typical teenager, I get emotional at the smallest thing, but I'm getting there, and by the time my foal is ready to be started I'll be nearly 20). I was sure I was going to come off and hurt myself badly again. But I didn't, and the ride home was fun and constructive, so I consider it to have been a good ride.

Two lessons with my new coach have made SO much difference, I'm going to stick with him on a long-term basis, and I think years riding under him will make me a brilliant rider not just a 'pretty good' rider. I have a great position with a stable lower leg but (I think it's my confidence more than anything else) I've not really been asking him for forward, and he's a horse you need to RIDE so he's really been showing up my flaws.

I should get Mum to video me every lesson so I can actually see what's going on. It feels awesome, he has SO much power I never really thought he had and my amazing coach is helping me tap into that. My amazing coach says I need bigger knee rolls in my saddle apparently they're designed that way for a reason and if I have a beautiful dressage saddle I may as well use it. So I am

Yay for you!! Great job, and something I will aspire to, not panicking in that moment and pulling on his mouth ... and glad you found a great coach.

What a great feeling! Would love to see some videos

What a nice post. It is cool that you recognized your correct actions in a time of panic. Neato! Wish I had a good coach. Good Luck and can't wait for the video.

I may not be able to have a lesson this week because I'm working in the afternoon (depends on if he can fit me in in the am early enough for me to be able to get home and changed for work) but next week hopefully I won't be rostered on for the Wednesday. Just need to dig out the video camera, find some batteries for it, and find a way to get it there while riding - Mum and I ride to the riding club grounds on adult riders' day (every Wednesday) because the coach is there already and he doesn't travel except for adult riders' club, and we don't have a float and can't ride to his place because it's too far. I'm not allowed to ride alone due to the last attempt ending with me in hospital (my fault entirely, I galloped him towards home and the dork understandably didn't want to stop - hence my confidence issues) until I've sorted out all the little tiny "issues" we have. Whether it's me learning to deal with it or me learning to settle him down before he turns into a dork, I have to sort it out before I can ride away from home without someone with me.