Lesson 19 - Awesome

Wow - can't believe how long I have been back in the saddle! :)

Last week my lesson was just awesome! It was made perfect by adding one simple aid to the ride - a crop. *sigh* - I hate crops, and I won't actually hit a horse with one, but they often are enough of a "visual" aide to make things go more smoothly. We all know that Simon's normal cadence at the trot while we are warming up is barely a western jog - like a slow motion attempt at jogging, taking tiny steps, barely exerting any effort. Kim handed me the crop from the ground, and Simon turned his head so he could see it out of the corner of his eye. He knew what it was and was not sure what I was going to do with it. But just having it in my hands made him much more responsive to my leg aides, and he trotted off with more energy and length in his stride.

When Kim came to the ring to deliver the crop, the other trainer who has been in Simon's life through several owners came to the side of the ring to have a seat and watch. "Oh, great" I think to myself. Apparently no one has ever used a crop on him - it has never been needed. She probably had other thoughts, but in my mind, of course I feel like I'm being watched to make sure I don't beat the heck out of him. :) Not my style at all, anyways, but only slightly intimidating. I managed not to think about it and just enjoy Simon's energy and newfound respect for my requests for forward movement.

We had such an awesome ride! His energy made it easy to get to a good spot in front of the fences, no molasses-like takeoffs, and a couple beautiful courses. It was great! I never hit him with the crop - he was never disobedient. I did flick my wrist and tap it a few times on my thigh, but that was all it took to wake him up. Eventually, I tapped my leg a little more than I should have and as we came off a corner he seemed irritated and kindof bucked to switch leads. :) Too much, I got the message and gave the crop back to Kim. But Simon maintained his energy and we finished with 3 more beautiful jumps! I am guessing that the only time he has ever been around a crop was when a trainer was trying to teach him to do flying changes (which he really doesn't like to do). He has never been one to have trouble with momentum before me - I guess I make him more relaxed than anyone else ever has. That's a good thing. And now I have a way to wake him back up and make sure he pays attention - and that's right where I want to be.

I think my favorite thing about Simon is how loudly he speaks. I know that sounds weird - for a horse and all - but he makes it clear exactly what he thinks about a situation - especially when he's pissed. :) I guess you also have to be enough of a rider to recognize and understand his "voice" when he is speaking. But I really feel like we've built a partnership over the past 5 months and we work together for the ride - and that Simon actually likes me for a human :). It wouldn't be any fun if we didn't get along, so to speak. Kim continues to say how much he likes me and how good he is for me - maybe I'm the first human who has actually "listened." :)

It all reminded me of another Chestnut colored horse that I loved once - "Monday" was her name. A few of you know exactly who I'm talking about - and how I was the only one that she really listened to and got along with. She'd be over 30 now, but I know that she passed away 5-6 years ago. Funny to think that we almost bought her instead of Sweetie, but I have always known that Sweetie was without a doubt the best decision we ever made. Sweetie and I obviously have that close relationship - even closer than with Monday or Simon. Sweetie's just been a very lucky horse to have an only owner & rider and no one else to compare to. :) (Lucky for me! :) )

A funny for those of you following my journey :)

I meant to tell you last week - apparently, my two 3rd place ribbons in the Adult Equitation classes at the show in September earned me a 4th place overall year end award in the Texas Schooling Show Association! I now have a beautiful white & purple long ribbon to commemorate the achievement. :) I sure wasn't expecting such a thing, but Kim had it for me last week and we all found it both exciting and amusing. Maybe there were only 4 adults that competed in that division all year. Who knows. But I'm still proud of the effort and am enjoying viewing the ribbons on my wall. :)

Weekend enjoyment!

Last weekend I rode both Rocky and Sweetie on Saturday morning. My goal was just to have fun and enjoy the rides - nothing flashy, no major goals. And I managed to do just that! :) Rocky was prepared for me to canter, (I could feel him get ready to buck a little), but that wasn't in my gameplan, and we worked through and had a nice trot with lots of circles and bends to keep his attention. It felt great.

And then I rode Sweetie for a short ride - we walked, trotted, and cantered both ways, and just enjoyed the beautiful fall morning. Perfect temperature, with the sun shining bright, a gentle breeze floating through her mane, enjoying her company. Reminded me of what riding is really all about.

Lessons 17 & 18

The last two weeks have been very similar lessons. Simon has learned my signals far too well and is starting to take advantage of me! :) When we are on course, if I take my leg off his sides in the least while headed to a fence (which I sometimes do when I don't see a good "spot"), he slows down like molasses and adds a stride every time. So I have to keep my leg on him, whether or not I am confident of where to take off. He acts similarly on the flat, not working an ounce harder than I ask him to. As soon as I relax and take my leg off, he just slows down and walks and relaxes, too. I think it is a good thing in that we are learning how to understand each other quite specifically, but man, my legs are tired by the end of a lesson! It's good for me, though! And I'm glad to not be bored - as our relationship is changing (i.e., he understands my body language far too well) he is getting more complicated to ride! So here's to perfecting our rides. :) A lifetime ahead of us, I'm sure!

Lesson 16

My goodness! I have not been riding as much as I'd like, but the horses are loving the new barn and have all come to make it their "home" and are completely relaxed when inside.

Last week's lesson was another good one. Simon seems to be getting more lethargic each week - it is taking more leg to keep him going! But we some really nice fences this time, and did several equitation courses making sharper turns and jumping only one fence in a line of two. I like the change and enjoy the challenge!

I need to make it a priority to get back on my own horses now!

My farrier was out yesterday and he said Kiley, my foster horse who has had trust issues, was the most well behaved of the bunch! Amazing! He said she was totally relaxed and the easiest to do this time around. Makes me proud! We did take her to the Expo a few weeks ago, and each time we take her out for the rescue, she shows how much she trusts me. And each time she returns to our farm, she puts more trust in me. Gosh, it will be heartbreaking the day that she gets adopted. I do want her to find her forever home -that is why I do this! But knowing how much trust she has put in me will leave me with pangs of guilt when I help load her up on someone else's trailer. But it will also fill me with happiness to know I have helped another horse find their forever home!