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