After tonight, I have to be honest, I am disappointed in myself.
I am so proud of my girl, we have come such a long way. It's literally a green horse/green rider partnership. I've been riding for years, on and off, but only started working with a good trainer 6 months ago so before then it was kind of just basic (more like children's) lessons.
Last week, during my lesson, I literally had the best lesson of my life. Every other ride this week has been great as well. Not anything that topped that lesson (my lessons are usually my strongest rides) but still great. But tonight, I do feel disappointed in myself, but proud of my horse.
I was doing my w-t fine, but when it came to the canter, I was having trouble with the transitions into it. Not leaning back enough, toes pointing down, relying on the reins too much, just messing up. I did get both leads thankfully, but I didn't get the transitions with ease. I know that is something I will work on, and something I've been focusing on lately... but I realized that you know, sometimes it just takes that flawed ride to make you realize what you need to work on most and have that goal to reach for the future. Plus, giving myself the benefit of the doubt, I had a very busy night last night (retreat), stayed up late and woke up early. On top of that I had a lot of thinking to do and slept in a new place. I still should have been able to get the canter down even being tired, but you know what, maybe my concentration wasn't as keen or something... I don't know. I just am not great at it and I need to work on it.
So take that one ride that you might have and as hard as it might be sometimes, realize your flaws and make yourself better for the next time. Then with the progression of skill and ease, you can laugh and say, "HAH, and I used to have trouble with that!"
Not the sound like a geek. But one of my biggest fears after my ride tonight was worrying that my horse might be mad at me.
I am so proud of my girl, we have come such a long way. It's literally a green horse/green rider partnership. I've been riding for years, on and off, but only started working with a good trainer 6 months ago so before then it was kind of just basic (more like children's) lessons.
Last week, during my lesson, I literally had the best lesson of my life. Every other ride this week has been great as well. Not anything that topped that lesson (my lessons are usually my strongest rides) but still great. But tonight, I do feel disappointed in myself, but proud of my horse.
I was doing my w-t fine, but when it came to the canter, I was having trouble with the transitions into it. Not leaning back enough, toes pointing down, relying on the reins too much, just messing up. I did get both leads thankfully, but I didn't get the transitions with ease. I know that is something I will work on, and something I've been focusing on lately... but I realized that you know, sometimes it just takes that flawed ride to make you realize what you need to work on most and have that goal to reach for the future. Plus, giving myself the benefit of the doubt, I had a very busy night last night (retreat), stayed up late and woke up early. On top of that I had a lot of thinking to do and slept in a new place. I still should have been able to get the canter down even being tired, but you know what, maybe my concentration wasn't as keen or something... I don't know. I just am not great at it and I need to work on it.
So take that one ride that you might have and as hard as it might be sometimes, realize your flaws and make yourself better for the next time. Then with the progression of skill and ease, you can laugh and say, "HAH, and I used to have trouble with that!"
Not the sound like a geek. But one of my biggest fears after my ride tonight was worrying that my horse might be mad at me.