Happy, Sunny, Days

After yesterday's lovely ride on Bella, I chose to ride her for my first ride today. She'd just been in a jumping lesson but she was raring to go. I was following behind another pony today and didn't have a walker or a leader. This has helped to increase my confidence again which is great for me. Our trots were beautiful and forward and I felt she was really listening to me again. I had full control of her as I had no leader or walker so it was entirely down to me to get her to follow the other horses. We didn't get a canter but I was not dismayed in the slightest. My RI said the energy she had was great and I was doing really well on her. Once back at the yard, there was a vote on who I should ride next and Shadow won the vote. Yes, my gorgeous, tall, white friend is back in work and my goodness, it was amazing to be back on his back and working together. His trots were beautiful and even got him into canter. I was super happy. Even on the back lane where he didn't canter, which was more to do with me rather than him, I couldn't have cared less. I had two very enjoyable rides on two amazing horses who I hold dearly to me. The best thing was that Bella is listening more and more and Shadow and I seemed to just slip back to our old team work. Fabulous day and all under the sunny skies of England! :) Thanks for reading, Marie

Beautiful Ride With Bella

It has been baking in the UK this week so I wasn't expecting much from today's ride except a lovely walk and maybe a few nice trots and lots of sweaty ponies. When I got there, there was only bella left which was more than OK with me but I did think to myself, gotta put extra work into little Miss this morning. She can be a stubborn mare at times and only do what she wants to. But how pleasantly surprised I was to ride up hill on her with forward steps and very little of my asking today. Our first trot started well then she decided we were done. I kicked on but nothing else was going to happen. I virtually was on my own with her today as I've often been. Another nice walk and a further trot then down the cobbles where she can be a pain. She wasn't. Tried to do her own thing, put my legs on and she realised we were not playing games. At the bottom of the cobbles, a great trot that lasted all the distance. I was so happy as she had been a pure dream for me today in the sunshine. On the back lane, I seriously was not expecting to canter. If you remember, she's the one horse famous at our yard to be difficult to get into canter. I rode by myself, as I have on most of that ride and canter we did. Admittedly only for two strides but this is only the second time I have gotten beautiful Bella to canter for me at all. I was mighty proud and gave her lots of cuddles when we got to the yard. I was going to ride again but plans changed so hopefully riding twice tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it as the weather has given good again tomorrow. Happy hacking! Marie

SPEED!

I was very close to not going to the yard today. I did feel a little dispirited this morning over my riding. I didn't think yesterday had got to me but it really had. I just felt a pure lack of out of control yesterday and with my recent escapades with some of the other horses, I've felt a pure lack of confidence. But sitting in my kitchen, eating crunchy nut cornflakes, I gave myself a good talking to. "You are not giving up! You're better than that! You get back on that horse and show them you're in charge." A good few words from some great horsey people reminded me down times have to exist in order to appreciate the good and having a bad day is normal along with learning many different horses. Without all of my experiences, good and bad, I'd never become an all rounded rider. So I went and dressed and headed up to the yard with a positive attitude. I asked if I could ride Kenny, despite having a mixture of choice. Kenny's the lovely coloured gelding that I felt very unnerved on for some time. His bouncy gait used to make me feel unsafe. I put on his bridle and lead him to the mounting block. Once mounted, and off on the ride, following beautiful Bella. His walk and trot were lovely. Forward. The first trot was a little ploddy but I quickly got him forward which was nice. He wasn't leaning on my hands and despite a few failed canters, I got one eventually and I was so in my seat which pleased me greatly!!!! We headed back and I felt my spirits lifted and decided to get back on the lovely Magic and see if I could get her more together and listening to me today. She was a live wire today. Her walks and trots were collected and forward. I do love her trots so much. I had someone on hand but for a lot of the walk and trotting I just had someone around or running alongside which was a huge improvement. She can be very fidgety and something I learnt today was to relax my hands more with her as she is very soft in the mouth and my tensing was not helping her in the least. Once I got that in my head she was a little more calm and collected and not trying to go wherever she wanted. Yesterday, she tried to follow the girl I was with but without someone walking alongside us for some of this route, she was listening to me more and we were following another horse to begin with until later on when she decided it would be better to head in front which the RI okayed. The canters you ask? Oh well, they were speedy. At some points, I wasn't sure she was going to stop despite me putting the breaks on. Dude, where's my breaks kept popping into my head. But feeling bad for the girl running with us, I loved the speed and the feeling of her canters. I was so in my seat and I think that was part of the reason we kept going and going. That was a nice feeling but obviously her lack of listening during canter was not so great. My RI told me to use half halts as she was rushing herself. I swear a slight nudge may have made her go into gallop, that was one mighty fast canter, and I'll safely say the fastest canter I've ever experienced. The tough thing I found, was told today to keep hands relaxed and I know she's soft in the mouth and despite using my knees and thighs to try and stop her, she just wasn't willing to stop. Do others find this happens if the horse is in a particular mood? Anyway, our second canter, I was doing on, off,on off, with my half halts and yet she was still going, going, going, at some incredible speed. Another rider who was walking today with her sister who was riding, told me she didn't know how I stayed on. But I do. I stayed on because I kept going with her, stayed in my seat and kept my balance. After we got off of the field, we went for another trot and then just walked where we were now in front. The girl walking with me wandered to talk to our RI I think and the girl behind me who often leads but was on horse back today was chatting to me and directed me to turn right down the cobbles. I managed the horse much better today and she was listening to me more even when our walker was alongside me. Another great trot and then to the back lane where until yesterday this gorgeous mare had never cantered for me. But today was different. And the canter was collected and no where near as fast as before. We had a break into a trot, then back to canter which was amazing! I loved it!!!! Today just proved to me, push through it and you'll get there. I reeked the rewards and despite losing the breaks, it was a good experience. I need to work on the control in canter with her and work on my breaking technique with a horse that's sensitive in her mouth as she is. Too much tension on the reins and she gets narky and dances around understandably. I had fun though today and felt like despite our breaking issues I made some progress on this pony and even on the lovely Kenny who we all nicknamed King Kenny today as I have ridden him much less than the others at the yard. So a totally different feel today. Thanks for reading, Marie

Shaky Start

Last weekend was tipping seriously toward me being very unhappy with my riding progress again. I probably focussed on more negative things than I should have but I am admittedly, a perfectionist. Today, I had the choice of any horse I'd normally ride except Shadow. He's sadly still lame. So I chose to ride Magic. The ride overall was not my best but I think I've discovered my problem. I've been feeling really low on energy since my operation and then the lack of eating properly so that coupled with a variety of things has made me just not very energetic. This morning started off feeling too much like last weekend in the saddle. The horse was following the girl who walked with us today which didn't help me much and my first trot was abysmal. I was being reminded of things I should know so well. The second trot was better and she was more collected but lacked some speed. Some of my issues on this lovely girl is I'm a little afraid to put too much pressure on for trot as it was windy today and I didn't fancy her taking off into canter like she did on my last windy ride with her. So I lacked some zest which emulated in her, quite understandably. I truly believe I've had a confidence knock so bossy me tomorrow is coming back with a vengeance. Our third trot was great and I kept her going. The attempt at canter was rubbish and I know this is a total self fulfilling prophesy thing. I know she hasn't cantered on the back lane for me ever, so in my head, I give her nothing because I expect nothing. After a lecture from my RI, I did it again and got a nice canter out of her. I was more in my seat but not as seamless as I would like yet. But definitely getting there considering how tense I was by the end. I'm getting tense because I'm getting annoyed with myself. I'll definitely be working harder tomorrow with much more confidence and energy. We did have a moment when we got back to the yard and waiting to dismount, A piece of plastic flew, scaring Topaz who Magic saw getting worked up so then she started dancing around so a quick dismount from me. Phew, that could have ended badly. After the ride, I asked if I could go and see Shadow. I miss him so much. I was allowed to and then asked to brush him. So I got to spend a whole 45 minutes just chilling with Shadow in his stable, giving him some TLC and lots of grooming. If anyone follows me on twitter, I did an audio boo of it. Thanks for reading guys, Marie

One Step Forward and Three steps back

I was determined today would be the day I cantered with a good seat on the lovely Welsh section D if I was able to ride her. When I arrived at the yard though, I was asked why there wasn't a brush in my hand to brush a pony. I got one and headed toward Harry and gave him a good brush. His mane was totally out of control and he looked like he had had a rough night on the town. I attempted to tame it but alas, it was not for taming so Harry had a bad hair day. I had hoped to ride Shadow also today as I was doing two rides but he became lame again yesterday. So I asked if I could ride Magic and I could. She wasn't as fast today but she apparently has lost a shoe. I don't know if she had lost it yesterday or not but she was walking fine and we cantered on the field pretty good. I was amazed how well I stayed in my seat. A fellow horse rider had suggested I open my knees slightly during cantering on her as she'd felt it helped in her riding of this particular breed. I tried that today and it really worked so thanks Debz. :) When we trotted she wasn't as smooth as she kept dipping slightly on the foot with no shoe. But managed to keep her in rhythm and she did fantastically. I was pleased how well this ride had gone. My aim to canter her and have a good seat really came together today. I wished I'd had her second today. I chose to ride Topaz second and this did not start off so badly. I'm probably actually making more of a thing about this than altogether necessary. He was slightly ploddy on his trots. Nothing like he was last week so my RI said she wanted him more forward. I got that with him. Sadly, cantering was just not happening. He was ploddy because I wasn't giving him enough spark. My legs were non existent, according to my RI after the ride I was tense and not relaxed. I was pulling back on his reins and all the things I should have left behind a long time ago. You cannot believe the level of frustration I felt after this ride today. All I thought I'd got past has come back to haunt me. Even my RI gave me a slight talking to after the ride and said that I should stop worrying about it and relax. I've been riding horses, I.E., the Welsh Section D who need much less from me to get them going and with all this tension I'm not even going to get a slight anything. I guess it's true what they say, never get complacent. I'm just so annoyed that a horse I've ridden five times, and has a slightly bouncier canter than most I ride is getting a better performance out of me than a horse I've ridden more. It isn't like i've not ridden Topaz in a while, I rode him last week. True, he was better behaved today it was just me having the terrible time of it. Poor pony! I'm starting to wonder what I'm doing here? Seriously don't think I'll ever get past this point. Thanks for reading guys, Marie

Canter! canter!

I ordered some new long riding boots this week from the UK Equestrian shop, Robinson's. I've been wanting some long boots for a while now since I new this equestrian dream was panning out but I'm reluctant to buy some gorgeous leather ones online as I have big calves and struggle getting into knee length boots at the best of times. So I'd physically need to try them on before buying. While on the website though, I came across some long boots that have knitted tops so they accommodate the bigger calf so I decided to invest a whole £8.99 as they were on sale. They arrived this morning and so I wore them to the yard today. Verdict? I love them! The sun was sort of shining but there was a chilly wind today so coat was kept on. I arrived to the yard to discover that Shadow is doing much better and is getting there and was allowed out on rides today. I did not choose to ride him though as I made the decision to work on my seat on bouncier horses. I opted for the pretty, Welsh Section D. I've started to fall in love with. And although I was expecting a routine ride today, I did not get one. We walked up the hill then our incredibly huge ride was split into two. The more capable riders who are slightly more advanced and the riders who still need much more. I had a leader today as the pretty mare I ride is a lot of work and not being a school pony is much more lively. We lead the group and on the field were asked to canter. No trots to warm up, straight from the walk up the hill to a canter. I'd asked Hay Net's agony aunt for advice as you guys know last week and today really put the advice into practice. I attempted to feel like my legs weren't on the end of my body and my first canter was beautiful! I really kept in my seat and went with her so well. Our RI today decided today would be the day we cantered, cantered and cantered some more. And we did. Some of my next canters started off rocky then I got into the seat again. I now see what I'm doing so much more which is helping as I can correct it when I'm doing it. This ride today truly helped me conquer some of my cantering issues on bouncier ponies. I seem to tense up my legs instead of loosening them and grip the saddle with my upper thighs which then pushes me up out of the seat. It makes sense now I had all that time to see what is going wrong. And as soon as I feel it, I let the legs go floppy and I can find my seat again. Its a great improvement! I just need to ensure the leg tensing doesn't happen at all but nice to know exactly what is going on so I can work on it. I'm not a crap rider after all, I just need to relax and love it more, just like I do on the smoother gaited horses. The one trick I did which I'm not sure is text book but worked, was stick my legs out a little to the side, away from the horse's side. This did enable me to be more in my seat and give me the ability to still keep my heels down and balance great. We did around six or seven canters today, one after the other and this truly gave me the insight I needed and gave me ample chance to find my seat so much more. On the last two canters, my RI said we were going to work on my trust. She had one of the other riders go in front and I had to canter after her. This excited me so much as yesterday I read about Peter Charles, a British International show jumper leading a blind rider around a show jumping course and that is how it is done. That makes me so excited! When we were walking back to the yard, I told my RI about it and she said, that'll be you one day. I laughed but knowing she thinks its possible, not necessarily competitively but knowing she didn't dismiss it made me smile. On our last attempt at an independent canter, my seat was awesome, but we were veering a little and pretty little miss decided that she was going another way. But I managed to stop her and turn her around. The peg like grip with knees and thighs helped with the reins to stop her today and she realised I wasn't playing games. Its good I'm being given challenging ponies as it means I can learn how to handle anything. :) So all in all, my normally predictable ride turned out to be anything but predictable. Thanks for reading as always, Marie

Spring is Back

What a beautifully sunny day it was here this morning. I even stripped off my coat to ride in a thin hooded sweat shirt. I opted to ride Topaz. I've not ridden him since our rain incident a few weeks ago and I knew I should get on him to ensure I wasn't feeling nervous or anything. Nerves were non existent as was Topaz's energy this morning. I tried going but he was not giving me much at all today. I felt really unbalanced in his trots as they were so ploddy. Cantering was almost non existent but got a small one eventually. I just felt I was putting so much in and getting nothing back. Maybe he wanted Sunday off work, who knows? By the end of this ride I felt depleted and was in pretty low spirits. When asked who I wanted to ride I said a faster horse. Shadow and Bella and Kenny are all lame so fingers crossed they get better soon so the choices were limited. I rode the pretty mare that I've only ridden twice before. She was full of beans but I had her in good control. My trots on her were amazing today. The girl walking with me as we were in lead file said I look good in trot on her which was a lovely compliment. She is very light on the leg so a little squeeze and off we went into canter. Unlike on Topaz today where I felt I was flying around in the saddle, on this pretty girl, I was mostly in my seat and the crazy part is she's much bouncier than Topaz is. Go figure right? On my first canter, my RI said I was going with her in the beginning, then lost it in the middle and got it back again. So on the next canter she wanted me in my seat and going with her from the start to the finish. I posted a post on Lorraine's agony aunt's page yesterday as I'm struggling keeping my seat on bouncier ponies at the minute. I thought about what her advice was, making it feel like I had no legs. Amazingly, my weight just seemed to fall into my heels even though I was trying not to do anything with my legs, just sitting deeper into the saddle. I leaned consciously further back as Maddi had suggested and this all seemed to help. Wasn't even holding my saddle today as I felt a little more confident with her. Maybe the horse I rode yesterday, I might try the holding the saddle and pushing away rather than pulling towards me as Lorraine suggested but we'll see who I ride next week. My second canter was absolutely in sync and it felt a lot better. Only third time riding this pretty girl and so I was pleased with my progress. I love her trots, so quick and prancy. She was a good ride after the hard work I had to do with the gorgeous Topaz this morning. She's actually becoming really comfortable for me to ride. Who knew, a Welsh section D would make it onto my maybe the breed of pony I might want to look into getting. Back at the yard, I untacked and gave Topaz and Magic their polos. Then I went to visit the stable bound ponies. Bella seemed a bit down today whereas Shadow was all over me. He finished off the polos and got lots of nice cuddles and kisses from him. All under a lovely sunny sky this morning. Thanks for reading guys, Marie

Riding Royalty and Foal update

Sadly, my gorgeous Shadow is still lame, visited him after my ride today and boy was he sulking. A few cuddles and a few polos seemed to cheer him up though. Another of my favourite ponies is also lame, the lovely bay beauty, AKA Bella had a nasty accident with a wire this week and so is all bandaged and on rest. She got cuddles today too bless her. So pony choice was slightly limited today, understandably. I was given the options of the pretty mare I've ridden for the past two Saturdays, the tall, handsome Topaz or another new pony. Yes, another unfamiliar steed. I did ask for Topaz as I haven't ridden him since our rain episode and I figured I should get on him and have a positive ride sooner rather than later. But due to one thing and another, I ended up riding the new pony. This is a horse who lives with the pretty mare who is owned by one of the girls at our yard so not a school pony. He's 14.2 and very quick. I say royalty as his name is a very royal title. He's lovely but very light in the mouth so contact took a bit to adjust. He was also quite fidgety so I had to be very bossy with him. We followed another horse on this ride and I was amazed I didn't have a leader or walker even, just me and the new pony. His trots are very quick, like his walk is quick too but I really got into his stride so quickly. A bit of playing on his bit made him listen. My RI had told me he's very bouncy and although I didn't find this too much in walk and trot, canter was a different issue. I bounced out of my saddle. His gait is very bouncy in canter and so on the second try of canter, my RI ran with me and told me to hold my saddle instead of holding both reins with my hand. I said I felt I was taking a step back to which she reassured me and said I was just adjusting to a new horse's very bouncy canter. Most of the horses I choose to ride have very smooth gaits and so I find it easier to go with them but this horse, along with a few others, I really need to go with so much more. I know I'll get it as I never used to be able to go with horses like Shadow or Topaz but now I can. My RI, says no more Mr nice guy, bouncy horses are in my future to get me solely used to the bounce especially in canter. First ride on this lovely boy and she was on our second trot yelling, "which diagonal are you on," to which I responded the right and she yelled "correct". That pleased me a lot. He was a little hard work, and really testing me. I'd ask him to halt and then he'd fidget but not sure if that was because he knew I was a new rider and was testing me or something else. My RI told me to really move my legs off of his side during halt but even this didn't work sometimes. It was definitely a very interesting and productive ride. News on our foal, as promised. His name. Drum roll please? ________________ SAMSON! I think he's going to grow into such a handsome and regal and wise horse. That's what that name sums up to me. Anyway, providing no horrific weather tomorrow, I'll be back to tell you how that all goes. Off to a party at my house now so hope everyone has a fab Saturday with their horses. Thanks Marie

A Blustery Ride

The wind seemed to come from absolutely no where this morning. I woke up and the winds had descended. Dad gave me a ride to the yard and I arrived to learn that my lovely Shadow was lame so I couldn't ride him today. I asked if he was in his stable, he was so I went and gave him many cuddles. He seemed a little down in the dumps bless him. I'd chosen to ride the pretty mare I'd rode last Saturday. I mounted her and had her owner with me again today. We took the farm hack this week and I wasn't sure how I'd handle the ride as I was in hospital for a wisdom tooth being removed on Monday so have had anaesthetic and lots of pain relief. I was pleasantly surprised though and managed to sit in the saddle with little issue. I felt very comfortable and in sync with this quick, prancing pony. We were in lead today as she's quite a fast horse and was full of beans. I asked for a trot and got more than I bargained for. Canter! On the path, nooooo! Slowed her to a trot and then halt. Everyone was concerned but I was just like, is she OK? She was fine, standing there like it was the most normal thing in the world, didn't even ask that much for a trot either but Missy thought it was fun to canter on and stood there like butter wouldn't melt. We went onto the field and got another good canter, this time I asked for it. I need to go with her a lot more as her gait is so short and fast but I've only ridden her twice and need to relax into her gait a lot more. We did another trot and this was much more in control and my rhythm was spot on on this trot. Down the cobbles and had a chat with her owner. She asked if her horse was the fastest I'd ridden, I said she probably was and she asked if I liked fast or slow horses, I said I liked fast horses as crazy as that must sound not being able to see. She laughed and said yes but if that's what I liked. It was nice to chat about which horses I liked to ride and why, it gave me a clearer idea of what I like in a horse and what I would be looking for when I eventually loan or buy my own horse. I concluded I like fast horses but don't mind horses with long yet slower gaits. I don't particularly enjoy slow, ploddy horses, as I feel I'm forever getting them to go. This may sound crazy to you guys but I can't help what I like. I also said I like horses that are lighter on the leg aids and light in the mouth. But not too light. Fussy? Maybe. After the cobbles which this particular horse handles nicely as she walks so prancy, you hardly know you're on the cobbles as some of our riding school horses drag their hooves and you have to push on harder with your legs to stop them tripping by keeping them in a forward walk. A last trot which was beautiful! I was totally in her rhythm and I really enjoy her trot now I have mastered the rhythm of it. On the back lane and got her into a canter. My RI asked to lean back and go with her a bit more, I did this and we had about 3 or 4 strides and then she trotted and I lost a stirrup. Her owner thinks the caravan that is parked along the back lane is not to her taste and spooks her a little. Apparently,she doesn't like the back lane oh so much so I didn't really mind that we hadn't got a good canter. I did feel a little unseated after losing that stirrup but didn't fall. The wind made it tough today hearing much so I was glad of someone with me not just because I'm riding an unfamiliar pony but to assist me a little too. We arrived back to the yard and I helped to untack her and gave her a polo. She is such a sweet horse. I really enjoy riding her. Thanks for reading and until tomorrow, Marie

Drenched and testy Ponies

I picked today to do two rides. And it definitely felt like April today with the sharp showers we experienced. I asked to ride Topaz at first and helped to brush and tack him up. I was having bridle issues today. Not sure how I got it backwards but there you go. I mounted him and we were in lead file so had someone walking with me. He was full of energy and our trots were fabulous and my diagonals were bang on! I'm so pleased these are coming along nicely. It felt slightly strange having ridden a horse with a short stride and then riding my lovely long strided friend today but a different stride and gait is always good to get used to in my opinion. Our canters were good today. RI just advised I use seat to keep him going more but I was pleased on the two I got. Then, something bad happened! It started raining! And I don't mean drops of it, it poured. Poor pony got soaked as we didn't foresee such a down pour and had neglected to put an exercise sheet on. This started to give me trouble. Horse did not want to stand still. Wanted to do backing up, fidgeting and then walk into some trees. I did get rescued this time as I had no way of turning him. I never felt unsafe or scared during the time, felt weird going backwards but did manage to get him forward but then he wouldn't stop and we ended up in the trees. She backed him up for me and I was lead the rest of the way as he just was not listening and was in a pure rush to get home. Being part thoroughbred, his blood gets colder quicker I was told and once we got back, I helped untacking him and putting on coolers and a thin rug to dry him and help him warm up. He was shivering to get his body warm. I felt so bad for him. Poor Topaz's mane was dripping wet. I did ask after my second ride how he was and he was doing much better, in his stable rug and much warmer and happier again. This incident didn't put me off. I kept calm and knew that I would have to deal with this kind of thing at some point. And I have a lot of trust in the girl who was taking our ride, my usual instructor so I felt no need to worry or panic which I know if I had, would have only made the situation worse. I rode Shadow next. This horse has been out with me on countless occasions in the rain so I knew he would be fine. He had his exercise sheet on during our ride so he was much happier than poor Topaz had been. I decided, being a big brave girl today there was something I needed to attempt. I needed to mount my lovely white friend from the ground instead of a mounting block. If I was out hacking, and fell off, providing I could locate my horse again, I'd have to get back on without a mounting block so I figured I should try it. They lowered his stirrup to the lowest one, I only have little legs standing at 5,4 and even though it did make it slightly harder, I couldn't have reached the stirrup otherwise. I put my left hand on my reins and the front of the saddle, Right one on the back, and jumped up with a little push from my RI. Swung the leg over and in the saddle I went on this huge 15,3 horse. I swear he's bigger after today heehee. We lead again so had a leader, well walker. Trots started lovely and got my diagonals bang on again with him which is pleasing. Ground wasn't as great today and he wasn't as fond of going into canters on it either but got a short but nice one. After that canter though, and we had done about 4 trots too, he started to lose interest. Our last two trots were filled with effort and by that point, I felt the same way. Nearly time to head home? Yes,! No canter on the back lane so RI made me go back and try again. Got a few strides, he had had enough and at that point, I was so wet and cold, so had I. Time for him to go get some hay and for me to go home and change clothes. It was an interesting and yet cold ride today. I wish I could have done something more to help Topaz during my first ride but not sure, I did everything I was asked to do. Kind of feel, my sight let me down here as a sighted rider wouldn't have allowed him to go into the trees. So slightly disappointed there. Just glad he got home and got warm and Shadow was good overall too. I know I was slightly lacking in energy by that point too being so cold and wet but glad I had all those experiences. It really makes you think. So until next time, Thanks, Marie

New Horse

I arrived at the yard, in not a very pleasant mood. Been stressed out by the incompetence of our NHS but that aside, I was really looking forward to getting to the yard and seeing the horses! I got there and was given a choice of riding a familiar horse or riding an unfamiliar one. I opted to go for a new challenge. This particular horse belongs to one of the girls who helps out at our yard and she would be walking with me today whilst I rode her horse. I was obviously quite nervous of this fact but mounted the lovely mare and we lead the ride which seemed to be a very busy one this morning. The farm hack was our chosen route today and as soon as I asked her to walk on, the quick and prancy gait surprised me. She is a 15.3 HH of Welsh Section D and she has a really different gait to any horse I have ridden before. It feels like she really picks her hooves up and our RI said she's like a prancing pony. She really does feel that way. The first trot shocked me. She has a small gait and this took a while to get used to. By our last trot today I had her rhythm pretty accustomed. Onto the field and one of the other girls ran with me as this was the first time I'd ridden this horse and I got into a lovely canter. She has a bounce but a small stride so its quite unusual as its not like anything I've experienced so far but I really like her canter. Another canter which I didn't seem as in synch with her but it was OK. She was a very good girl and the second canter was longer. More trots and onto the back lane where they were lighting a fire and we just got a fast trot. I really enjoyed riding this horse and received a lovely compliment from her owner and regular rider, she commented on how she thinks I'm a good rider and that really makes me feel proud. I was riding her personal horse and she said she'd be happy for me to ride her again. How nice is that? I only did one ride today but it was a really amazing one. A great change and another kind of gait and horse to get used to. I'm loving it! :) Thanks for reading, Marie

Sunday's Ride: Back To Hard Work

I got my usual instructor back on Sunday and boy do my muscles know about it today? I'm not complaining, I loved every minute of it. And boy did those horses test me yesterday. I rode Topaz first, and he was being a very good boy. Lovely forward trots and the diagonals were back yesterday. I was sincerely out of practice having not done them on the past four or five rides but she had me back into the swing of them soon enough, keep yelling, "which diagonal are you on?" I eventually got them back. After our first trot, we had to turn around to go on the field on our first canter, The pony in front of us turned and then I put my right leg on and brought him round on it to turn him 180 degrees. The girl walking with me was amazed and said I'd turned him on a very small circle and she was pretty impressed. I think that's a good thing, right? I literally felt him turning around on my leg, it was a cool feeling. We went on the farm hacks on both rides on Sunday which I enjoyed. The first canter was lovely on him, so smooth and forward. I definitely prefer the smooth gait with a slight bounce like Topaz's or Shadow's very smooth gait. I had someone walking with me on this ride but she didn't need to do much in all honesty. Just was there, just in case. More trotting and another canter on the field which was more prolonged and energetic. Down the cobbles and along to the back lane where the hard work began. He was not cantering, he'd got it into his pretty head that he was the king of the world and was not cantering for me. So as the other pony had basically had the same idea, our instructor made us come back and try again. Go back? Forget that, Topaz thought to himself and so he and I got into our biggest battle. He was not turning, he was going home to his hay. Yes, Topaz, you are turning, I will make sure of it. My instructor didn't come to assist, just told me to keep being bossy, don't let him win. And he didn't. I have to say, a 16.1 HH of half a ton of horse beneath me, refusing to do what I asked was slightly unnerving, all that fidgeting, all that, no, no, don't make me go, and then the ultimate feeling of whoohoo, he did what I asked made me smile. So we tried again, fast, fast, trot, oooh, maybe I'll canter, nah, I won't and we were done. I was not at all disappointed, he tested me today and I did win the biggest battle. I did a second ride on Sunday on the gorgeous gelding called Kenny who I rarely ride. He has a very bouncy gait and he's my instructor's favourite. He's the lovely one who likes to lean on your hands if you let him. I'm glad to say, he doesn't do it with me now as he's realised that he can't. I mounted him and was waiting around in the sunshine a while as we were waiting for some other riders. We were so short of leaders yesterday, my instructor even had to lead. I was on the ride with two adults who needed leaders and a little girl who my instructor was leading. I was basically told I'd be on my own completely on this ride. I was not bothered by this in the least! After chilling on a very impatient pony after around twenty minutes, in the glorious spring sunshine, we set off. I was bringing up the rear to begin with but Kenny decided Bella, who was in lead who we call his girlfriend was better to be behind. My instructor allowed this as I could hear Bella's hooves better anyway. A lovely walk up the hill and then a nice forward trot, still being asked, "which diagonal?" I found it slightly easier on him, maybe because he has a bouncier gait and its more pronounced, I'm not sure. Then onto the field for a canter. Another horse that decided it was the day to test me. We didn't get one but I wasn't altogether surprised. This was the first time I'd ridden him without a walker or leader at all so the trust must have taken a slight dip. I patted him all the same and continued to test my diagonals on some trots. On some dirt track, I found it slightly harder to hear Bella's hooves and was asked to watch my distance so I slowed him up. My contact did feel slightly different. As I have said, he leans, and so when you pick up contact, it seems hard to me to judge if I've got good contact initially or he's leaning. Onto the last field and a squeeze, trot, another squeeze and canter. It was a good one but I really had forgot how bouncy he was and needed to go with him more. But after this, as its the first canter I've done independently on this horse, and with it being my instructor's favourite one, she gave me the best compliment. She said, I'm really a confident rider and I'm improving every time she sees me ride and she's very pleased with me. I did beam a little inside. This is a horse I have probably rode much less than Shadow, Bella and Topaz and with it being her favourite too, that just meant so much more. Lots of nice pats and some lovely chats, I feel more like I'm on autopilot in walk these days, keeping an ear to the horse in front but being able to enjoy the rides out. I guess I should enjoy them as when I start lessons, I know that's going to be a pure half an hour of solid hard work. :) Thanks for reading. Marie

Saturday's Ride

Saturday's ride was uneventful and part of me was considering not going at all. I've been full of the evil cold all week and if it had been raining when I'd left the house, I might have not left at all. But went to the yard anyway. So I chose to ride Shadow yesterday. The weather was such a mixed bag and I was not feeling as energised so my lovely, trusted, white companion was just what I needed. We didn't have our usual instructor again but it was still a very good ride. Managed to get in two canters. My trots were forward and he really was giving me an easy time of it. I felt slightly off balance in my first trot and canter yesterday but considering my left ear has been gunged up all week, I wasn't overly surprised by this. So the first canter was pretty abysmal to be honest. My second canter was lovely on him. He was so good and forward. The level of confidence I have on him is just so incredible to me. The girl who took us out had a walker with me but even the girl walking with me was insistent I didn't need anyone holding onto Shadow in walk, trot, or canter. A horse in front of us spooked a little and Shadow obviously reacted but I had it under control. The girl taking the ride asked the younger girl walking with me to hold onto him. She did and quickly discovered how much Shadow did not like this. It was almost like he was saying, "hey, she has it under control! We're a team, but out!" :) I was pleased I'd rode him and we even saw a rainbow as the rain and sunshine were in a batter yesterday. A nice quiet and yet jovial ride on one of my favourite ponies. Just what recovering from a cold needs. After a huge cuddle I left to get warm instead of doing two rides. But it was a good one and seriously felt the improvement again.

Contrasted Rides

This weekend was a true contrast. I rode Shadow on Saturday and had a reasonably good ride on him. Yesterday however, Sunday, was a different story. I won't say they were bad or even unproductive rides, they were just hard work! I rode Bella first who was being a bit of a moody mare. I had to be very bossy both with leg and vocally with her yesterday. Never even got her into a canter. Then i rode Harry who was in a very Harry like mood, ploddy and just simply hard work. My legs got a fantastic work out yesterday but Harry did surprise us all and got him from halt into a canter on the back lane. So despite all the hard work, it really paid off for me in the end. I have had a brief canter on Harry once before but this was a proper canter so was pleased with it. I hope next weekend brings more fun and games with the horses. Marie

More Diagonals

Riding was fun yesterday. I was on Topaz and he was in his own little world yesterday so took a bit to get him to listen and do as asked but we got there. We took the road route yesterday and followed another horse. My trots consisted of my instructor yelling, "which diagonal are you on?" And me yelling back, "Left" or "right". On all trots yesterday, got it right on. Only problem I had was on the last trot when she asked me to switch and Topaz decided because I was sitting in trot for two strides, we were not trotting anymore. Our canters were definite but short lived. I was impressed on the back lane though, he wasn't for cantering but I got him there twice,even though trotting was what he was wanting to do. Not much else to report. Was a good and uneventful ride yesterday. Thanks Marie