Welcome!

I didn't start learning to ride until May 2010 and for the entire summer of that year was injured. My first year of riding was not that solid but since April last year, I've not missed a ride. I can walk, sit and rise trot, canter, and have started learning transitions and diagonals on a variety of horses. Come and join me on my adventures with my horsey friends all done with no sight on my part. don't feel afraid to ask me any questions. being blind and a horse rider is new, interesting and very exciting. So I hope you can gain something from reading this.

Tuesday 27 September 2011

small steps make For Good Progress

I have to say, I am definitely my own worst critic when it comes to anything and everything. Horse riding has not escaped my ferocious scrutiny. I think it is a good quality to always strive for perfection but as you have all read on previous entries, it can lead to a lot of self frustration.

I say that my need to "always do better" is a good thing as it means when I do better I continue to learn and progress. Once I have succeeded, I'm onto the next challenge. This works well, in my opinion for me learning to ride. I grasp one concept or technique, and then am straight onto the new one to accomplish. I'm rabbiting on about this because of my lesson today, of course. I realised, with my instructor's feedback how far I have come already and how far I still need to go. You are always going to learn in riding, for many reasons and I guess that is why I love it so.

Now on for the lesson.

I tacked up with not much issue, minus the fact my tall, white friend was more interested in his hay than allowing me to put his bridle on. But I managed to fasten his bridle eventually.

We opted for the road route today and there were many cars parked along parts of the route so my legs were getting a work out asking him to move over and back again.

My rein contact was lovely again which I was pleased about. I'm increasingly finding the reins so natural at the end of my arms and it is a lovely feeling.

We did a fair bit of halt to trot and trot to halt. I apparently did well on this, managing to go and stop as requested. My heels are staying down and he's responding well to me during this mind work out.

And cantering? I guess I was a little tense today, knowing how I got it so right on Thursday. So my first attempt wasn't great. On the second attempt, I went before my instructor wanted me to but the upside to that was that I was confident in stopping and turning around. The final attempt was awesome. Not as long as some of my previous but I really find I'm sitting more in my seat and I'm progressing. My position was complimented today. I was told my position is good and neat and I believe this has helped building my confidence and ability to ride better in canter and trot also.

Each lesson, I seem to find that I learn more and realise I've already learnt more than I thought in my previous lesson.

Everything felt great and I was pleased how my ride went today. I know before long, I'll be switching horses again once I have this canter confidence back on track. I feel better about it and even though I didn't get a huge canter today, the quality of the one I had was well worth it. The age old phrase, quality over quantity. Plus, each small step seems to build on bigger strides forward in my learning experience as a rider.

So until Next time, Happy riding,

Marie

2 comments:

  1. We all have to take the rough with the smooth to continue to learn but it's so much nicer when things go our way, isn't it? Enjoy your upward curve - and the weather while it lasts!

    Lorraine

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  2. Hi Marie! Great stuff as always! I got a huge telling off from my trainer last week because I let my perfectionism and critisism of myself become negativity! I have to remember to recognise my achievements as well as what I need to improve. It's nice to hear how others have similar thoughts. Thanks for sharing!
    El

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