Lesson Report for today - and a few odd comments..

[Cedars]

TG I know you're not going to agree with me but I'm going to say it anyway.

It was probably not that persons place to comment on your riding, and she shouldnt have done. HOWEVER - have you considered that, instead of just being a horrid person, actually she was telling the truth, based on what she saw? It may be that you SHOULD stop jumping and work on your flatwork (as I've said to you before), and that her "you aren't made for jumping" was her way of saying, bluntly, you aren't very good and should go back to basics?

I just cant imagine that she would just lie. It may not have been her place to say, BUT I dont imagine it would be untrue.... Just my thoughts, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Kenzo]

There is more to lessons than what some people think, find the the right instructor is the obvious but also lessons will sometimes seem easier or harder at times depending on the horse or pony your riding, some take alot of working in before things click and with a novice rider neither the horse or the rider will benefit, so getting the right combination is really important, specially when your learning, otherwise your just throwing money down the drain to be honest, alot of riding school type of ponies are stuck in rut and expecting someone to learn to ride one is a no win situation at times, but some riding establishments are still too happy to have their regulars and take money of them, it annoys me actually.

Don't get too knocked back by comments, but if you don't feel like you are making progress (depending on the amount of riding your doing per week) then take a good look as to why, anybody can learn to ride with the right instructer, but keeping things simple and less technical and establishing a good seat, good balance and the correct feel for a horse is the basics, I think many riding schools don't even get that right before there expecting riders to do small jumps, basically the rider just becomes a passanger rather than really riding the horse or the pony, then when it goes wrong the rider gets the blame....can you see it's a bug bear of mine

sorry totally side tracked there, basically don't give up, you'll get there but you might need to find the right place to really improve.

 

[only_me]

The balance boards are great - I spend ages on them in the gym I look like a complete loon but Ive got to the stage where I can turn 4 complete circles (360*) on a circle balance board without it touching the ground

Its much harder than it looks
My friend and I used to stand on them and throw a ball between us - great distraction technique
If you do get one (and I hope you will - they do magic things to your core!) build up the time slowly and make sure you are standing straight - otherwise you will hurt your back!

But after time you can get into a 2 or 3 point position (yes, I look like a complete **** in the gym...) and balance like that

But yes, slightly agree (and please dont take offence!) but I also think that you may think this also, that your balance isnt great (you do seem to fall off a lot from what ive read - but everyone does when they are learning ) and anything you do to help it will only benefit you

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Had to leave a lil comment here... I rode that Dawi today... :-\ hmmmmm <---- that's really all I can say!

Oi! He can be lovely ya know You shouldve seen him cantering yesterday, he was trying so hard, bless him!

Whilst it's nothing to do with me and certainly not my place to say (but Im going to anyway) why are people 'new' to riding so obsessed with jumping? What's wrong with getting the basics right first? Not particularly you TG - more another novice rider I know who was so utterly consumed by the idea of jumping big, to the point where he used to career motorbike style round the school, unbalanced and far too fast, and hurl the horse at 3 ft fences, which she'd inevitably knock down, and eventually ended up overturning the horse on a corner. If he'd spent more time perfecting his riding on the flat, he'd have been a lot more successful over fences in the long run, he'd have understood the importance of rhythm, balance and core stability.

I'm sure the senior staff member wasn't trying to be rude, perhaps she was just trying to subtly (well maybe not subtly) suggest you spend more time sorting out your flatwork because it is more helpful in the long run? Just an idea (don't jump on me)

I dont think she was trying to be rude or horrid at all - she IS quite nice normally and I do think she was expressing concern for me in her funny way!

I am definitely working on my flatwork more, particularly my seat, booking a lunge lesson again soon (it was really good fun!) and doing lots more work w/o stirrups.

TG I know you're not going to agree with me but I'm going to say it anyway.

It was probably not that persons place to comment on your riding, and she shouldnt have done. HOWEVER - have you considered that, instead of just being a horrid person, actually she was telling the truth, based on what she saw? It may be that you SHOULD stop jumping and work on your flatwork (as I've said to you before), and that her "you aren't made for jumping" was her way of saying, bluntly, you aren't very good and should go back to basics?

I just cant imagine that she would just lie. It may not have been her place to say, BUT I dont imagine it would be untrue.... Just my thoughts, correct me if I'm wrong.

I do kind of see where she was coming from. My nerves completely took over that day, I remember going in thinking 'What the heck am I doing!' I am going back to basics, lots of no stirrups work, working on my seat, my balance, till I and my instructors feel im ready to maybe start with jumping again.

There is more to lessons than what some people think, find the the right instructor is the obvious but also lessons will sometimes seem easier or harder at times depending on the horse or pony your riding, some take alot of working in before things click and with a novice rider neither the horse or the rider will benefit, so getting the right combination is really important, specially when your learning, otherwise your just throwing money down the drain to be honest, alot of riding school type of ponies are stuck in rut and expecting someone to learn to ride one is a no win situation at times, but some riding establishments are still too happy to have their regulars and take money of them, it annoys me actually.

Don't get too knocked back by comments, but if you don't feel like you are making progress (depending on the amount of riding your doing per week) then take a good look as to why, anybody can learn to ride with the right instructer, but keeping things simple and less technical and establishing a good seat, good balance and the correct feel for a horse is the basics, I think many riding schools don't even get that right before there expecting riders to do small jumps, basically the rider just becomes a passanger rather than really riding the horse or the pony, then when it goes wrong the rider gets the blame....can you see it's a bug bear of mine

sorry totally side tracked there, basically don't give up, you'll get there but you might need to find the right place to really improve.

I actually feel like Im making very good progress! I am a totally different rider to last summer. When I started my weekly lessons back in February, I could barely canter, wasnt that balanced in trot, and my confidence was low. Now I cant wait to get to the stables each week! I have had such an amazing summer, and the instructors have been amazing.

I am so glad that I found this yard! Cant wait for sunday

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

The balance boards are great - I spend ages on them in the gym I look like a complete loon but Ive got to the stage where I can turn 4 complete circles (360*) on a circle balance board without it touching the ground

Its much harder than it looks
My friend and I used to stand on them and throw a ball between us - great distraction technique
If you do get one (and I hope you will - they do magic things to your core!) build up the time slowly and make sure you are standing straight - otherwise you will hurt your back!

But after time you can get into a 2 or 3 point position (yes, I look like a complete **** in the gym...) and balance like that

But yes, slightly agree (and please dont take offence!) but I also think that you may think this also, that your balance isnt great (you do seem to fall off a lot from what ive read - but everyone does when they are learning ) and anything you do to help it will only benefit you

I am soo buying one now

And do I really seem to hit the deck that much? This year I've fallen off twice...

 

[Sanolly]

T_G look at your last jumping pic in http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=381443 and then compare it to this pic.... Now who has the better jumping position?

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Are you hinting that my position is poor?

If you are, then I know it is. I know I need to be more balanced and secure, and work on folding. I want to improve it.

However, I bet you have a heck of a lot more practise than me!

 

[Horsehead]

He cantered fine, trotted fine, I think ha may have even considered working in a shape at some point... however made me feel like it was my second riding lesson, dead to the leg isn't even the word!!!! haha, think i'll have sky back pleeeeeeeease!! Me and lazy horses are not friends :-(

 

[Sanolly]

Actually the answer I was thinking of was YOU! LOL

 

[galaxy]

TG. Maybe in your "jumping lessons" instead of actually jumping you could work on your jumping position?

A few weeks ago you mentioned you'd done your first canter in jumping position/standing in your stirrups and how difficult/scary you found it. Well you need to do LOADS of this.

I personally don't let ANY of my clients go over any sort of fence until they can walk trot and canter in a forward seat. Easily and securely.

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

He cantered fine, trotted fine, I think ha may have even considered working in a shape at some point... however made me feel like it was my second riding lesson, dead to the leg isn't even the word!!!! haha, think i'll have sky back pleeeeeeeease!! Me and lazy horses are not friends :-(

He is SO sweet though! A big softie, loves his hugs! I LOVE cantering him though, once he gets going, if you really give with your hands, his legs go all blurry hes going so well

Actually the answer I was thinking of was YOU! LOL

Are you serious?! *apologetic hug* My position is so not secure though, I never seem to actually fold properly, follow through etc Ah well! I will work on it x

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

TG. Maybe in your "jumping lessons" instead of actually jumping you could work on your jumping position?

A few weeks ago you mentioned you'd done your first canter in jumping position/standing in your stirrups and how difficult/scary you found it. Well you need to do LOADS of this.

I personally don't let ANY of my clients go over any sort of fence until they can walk trot and canter in a forward seat. Easily and securely.

I actually realised the other day, I meant my first canter in jumping position on that particular horse! I saw some videos from the weeks lesson before that, and I did it on Dawi and a different horse. It wasnt that scary...

Im trying to do a little bit every lesson to get more used to it on a variety of horses, and its helping my leg become more secure.

 

[Cedars]

Sorry, TG, but how many times have you said before you're going back to basics? And then the next post is about more jumping....!

I think that you need to move riding schools, but you wont. So I think that you need to STOP JUMPING and start working on your balance and seat and technique. Two times in a year is alot when you're only riding once or twice a week - I haven't fallen off in *thinks* 7 years, and I ride once a week. Perhaps I take things too slowly, but I'm DESPERATELY careful that I'm not going above my ability.

 

[Horsehead]

Really, cos instructer (yours incidently ) kept telling me to have a stronger contact, i think it was, because i have a habit of giving too much, he went better with a stronger contact, i just kept throwing myself out of position. He was not what i needed being only the 4th time i've ridden since May :-0

very much cannot wait for my beautiful forward going light in the mouth TB to come now haha

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Sorry, TG, but how many times have you said before you're going back to basics? And then the next post is about more jumping....!

I think that you need to move riding schools, but you wont. So I think that you need to STOP JUMPING and start working on your balance and seat and technique. Two times in a year is alot when you're only riding once or twice a week - I haven't fallen off in *thinks* 7 years, and I ride once a week. Perhaps I take things too slowly, but I'm DESPERATELY careful that I'm not going above my ability.

Im not sure, I havent been counting!

From now until easter, there is no real reason for me to jump, no clinics no shows etc, so I wont.

And I dont think comparing the number of falls we have both had is fair tbh. You're obviously a more experienced rider than me, and have no doubt been riding a lot longer. Ive only been having proper, regular lessons for 6-7 months now.

Really, cos instructor (yours incidently ) kept telling me to have a stronger contact, i think it was, because i have a habit of giving too much, he went better with a stronger contact, i just kept throwing myself out of position. He was not what i needed being only the 4th time i've ridden since May :-0

very much cannot wait for my beautiful forward going light in the mouth TB to come now haha

Ach, I dont mean in a 'throw the reins' kinda way, but keeping a good contact in canter and still moving with his head. I think... Im in a bit of a fuzz today

Had a fab lesson with S on Dawi the other week, he really went for it! And he didnt even try to flirt with poor unsuspecting Duo...

And FWIW I struggled keeping a good position on him yesterday! He seemed especially bouncy for some reason, the blighter

And guess what my usual instructor B did to me the other week? Bareback. On Dawi.

Now THAT was punishment for something.

 

[Cedars]

And I dont think comparing the number of falls we have both had is fair tbh. You're obviously a more experienced rider than me, and have no doubt been riding a lot longer. Ive only been having proper, regular lessons for 6-7 months now..

Thats including the beginning of my riding though! I've fallen off twice in the time I've been riding - once was when a horse yanked its head down over the jump and I went flying!!! And the second when a big barrel type horse went right, and I went left cos I wasnt concentrating.

I just don't think its right that you've hit the deck twice in a year, when you're only having one lesson a week - different obviously if you're riding a youngster, or competing or riding every day or whatever.

Anyway, you can ignore me if you wish. Just think its too much and its a sign you're doing too much too soon. And this might be want this woman was trying to tell you.

 

[Leaf]

Hi TG I think you need to approach riding as you approach any sport you need to be as fit as you can be (we expect the horses to be) with fitness comes stamina and endurance to be able to hold your position and support the horse as well as having the strength to adapt to any situation. If you study any professional rider in any equine sphere in this day they take their own fitness and muscle tone extremely seriously just as much as ther horses as fatigue can be the diffrence between winning and loosing or serious injury and walking away.

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Thats including the beginning of my riding though! I've fallen off twice in the time I've been riding - once was when a horse yanked its head down over the jump and I went flying!!! And the second when a big barrel type horse went right, and I went left cos I wasnt concentrating.

I just don't think its right that you've hit the deck twice in a year, when you're only having one lesson a week - different obviously if you're riding a youngster, or competing or riding every day or whatever.

Anyway, you can ignore me if you wish. Just think its too much and its a sign you're doing too much too soon. And this might be want this woman was trying to tell you.

The past two falls, the ones I have had this year, have been due to me panicking, and Bonnie being the steady rock she can be. The only other falls Ive had are when I was little, and doing things like round-the-world for the first time, being on an naughty nappy pony etc. Hardly that much tbh!

And if it is what was trying to say, then I wouldve hoped she had actually spoken to me properly about it, saying 'X I think you need to take a back seat on the jumping front because of this this and this', rather than beating around the proverbial bush, and mentioning something in passing as we walked around the field, herding pony week-ers!

Hi TG I think you need to approach riding as you approach any sport you need to be as fit as you can be (we expect the horses to be) with fitness comes stamina and endurance to be able to hold your position and support the horse as well as having the strength to adapt to any situation. If you study any professional rider in any equine sphere in this day they take their own fitness and muscle tone extremely seriously just as much as ther horses as fatigue can be the diffrence between winning and loosing or serious injury and walking away.

I am actually the fittest I have ever been right now! Over the summer, riding 2-3 times a week, as well as the yard jobs, the mucking out, leading in lessons etc, have really helped me become fitter and healthier

 

[Leaf]

riding 2-3 times a week does not get you fit neither do yard jobs or a leading rein class. To put into perspective when I was your age I was riding 4-5 horses a day as well as yard duties and I ran up to 4 miles in my lunch hour, I did this as how could I get the best of the horses I rode if I wasn't up to the job.

 

[Kallibear]

TG - without causing offence - I'm guessing you're not 'athletically inclined'? Riding is a SPORT and some people just aren't very sporty - they lack core strength, balance and co-ordiantion. I'm one of those annoying people who are good at most sports but I have friends who can't catch a ball thrown at them!

I don't think some people are natural 'riders' and others not - some people are just naturally more 'sporty' than others and better at it and it runs into riding. It can be worked on and improved but it's harder if you start at a disadvantage.

I've taught various people to ride and had someone no dissimilar to you when it came to jumping - they made me cringe and kept falling off when really they shouldn't be! Anyone 'sporty' would have had the strength and balance to stay on (or not loose it in the first place) but because they weren't (and were unfit and overweigth) they struggled. It took them YEARS to develop the strength and balance they needed and they STILL less effective and fall off more than they should due to their weight.

If you're one of the unfortunalty who lack that 'sporty' gene then you'll have to work harder at it than others Treat riding as a sport and, like others have suggested, think about ways to improve your core strength, flexibility and co-ordination. Maybe think about taking up another sport like tennis too - it would help you riding emmensly.

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

riding 2-3 times a week does not get you fit neither do yard jobs or a leading rein class. To put into perspective when I was your age I was riding 4-5 horses a day as well as yard duties and I ran up to 4 miles in my lunch hour, I did this as how could I get the best of the horses I rode if I wasn't up to the job.

Riding 2-3 times a wek may not have gotten you fit. I dont have the opportunity nor the time to ride 4-5 horses every day, or to run 4 miles in my lunch hour. At school, we dont even get an hour for lunch!

For me, riding is the best exercise I get, along with my little dog walking business and walking around the city. I dont get PE classes in 6th form, so I have to make do!

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

TG - without causing offence - I'm guessing you're not 'athletically inclined'? Riding is a SPORT and some people just aren't very sporty - they lack core strength, balance and co-ordiantion. I'm one of those annoying people who are good at most sports but I have friends who can't catch a ball thrown at them!

I don't think some people are natural 'riders' and others not - some people are just naturally more 'sporty' than others and better at it and it runs into riding. It can be worked on and improved but it's harder if you start at a disadvantage.

I've taught various people to ride and had someone no dissimilar to you when it came to jumping - they made me cringe and kept falling off when really they shouldn't be! Anyone 'sporty' would have had the strength and balance to stay on (or not loose it in the first place) but because they weren't (and were unfit and overweigth) they struggled. It took them YEARS to develop the strength and balance they needed and they are STILL less effective and fall off more than they should due to their weight.

If you're one of the unfortunalty who lack that 'sporty' gene then you'll have to work harder at it than others Treat riding as a sport and, like others have suggested, think about ways to improve your core strength, flexibility and co-ordination. Maybe think about taking up another sport like tennis too - it would help you riding emmensly.

Tbh, riding is the only sport I am any good at!

I have a pact with some girls from my school to go trampolining (long story!) and am taking on more dog walking, riding as much as I can. I havent chosen PE for A-level, so wont get classes in it any more. Im doing the best that I can! Im also sick and tired of the bus to work and school, so its walking for me.

As someone on here recommended (cant for the life of me remember who!) Ill be getting a balance board, one of those squishy gym ball things, and of course hopping on the Wii fit for my 30mins every day (but thats mostly for my back).

I have ok core muscles, and pretty good muscular strength, but there is (pretty obv, in some people's views ) room for improvement.

ETA: Do I really seem to fall off THAT much?!

 

[holzrokz]

i don't think its very nice to say to someone 'you're just not made to jump', could have just said that she thinks you should go back to basics for a bit without a rude comment!

I find the best way to improve jumping is just to get on and do it! I was sooooo incredably useless at jumping when i first started, and the only way i have improved is by giving it a go and jumping some proper courses. My position is no where near perfect yet (and probably never will be) but it will never get better if you don't jump! Obviously going back to basics for a bit is always good, especially if you need more balance but now you've started jumping, why stop?

And i don't think falling off twice in a year is a lot? I've fallen off twice this year and only ride once a week, sometimes you have a lot of falls in succession and other times go a year or more with no falls. The first fall i had this year was when a horse bolted towards a jump, took a stride out then bucked on landing-didn't have much chance of staying on that one and she is 23 years old so it isn't always just youngsters! Second fall was saturday during some showjumping. Met the first part of a double all wrong and so the pony put in an extra stride, wasn't able to clear the jump and so went through it and landed quite hard and off i went due to my raised heels and therfore unstable core . Yes its something i need to work on but its not like i'm falling off every week because of it, and the more i jump the better my position becomes (obviously flatwork also being very important)

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

Hun, we all have 'room for improvement' in so many ways

Not many of us get to ride more than one horse a day, so we get fit where and how we can . Keep up your programme and enjoy the benefits .

ETA: I can't remember how many times you've fallen off... either I wasn't paying attention or it wasn't very often . I've fallen twice in nearly four years (since we got LC), but both falls have been stonkers, so they are noticeable lol. As I've ridden nearly every day (and some days more than one or two horses), the percentage of falls to rides is very low . I think that people tend to hook onto a point and are more likely to remember it, i.e. the falls, and maybe that clouds their overall picture.

 

[Leaf]

just be honest with yourself are you doing all you can to be as fit can?

 

[Onyxia]

ETA: Do I really seem to fall off THAT much?!

I bet you anything there are plenty on here who fall off far more then you! If you get on a horse you will fall off,it's just one of those things.
Anyone who has only come off a handfull of times must be very new to horses or only ride dope on a rope types....

Running with the lead rein class while they trot on a surface is bloody good for getting you fit-it's much harder to go at the horses pace then your own and the surface is made for them not us.

TG,do what you can,when you can. Trust the person paid to teach you-we see snapshots,she see's you every time you ride.

 

[rebchico]

Chill out dudess

I have just returned from holiday and on my first ride back home (wednesday) this irritating girl annoyed me into jumping.
I fell off four times in about 10 mins all that caused it were simple refusals!
I wasn't riding my best, but that takes my falls this year up to about 4336435326532 approximately... ;D
Keep on with the wii fit, it helped me put an end to my falling off every time i rode phase.. which i hope I haven't just started again!
x

Oh, and I'm ashamed to admit it, but doing a circuit of our titchy 20x40 school leading a kiddie in trot gets me puffing... and i used to be on all the sports teams at school!

 

[Leaf]

Hi, I don't get a PE class anymore either I have just had to learn how to execise myself so I think the dog walking is a good way forward. well done

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

i don't think its very nice to say to someone 'you're just not made to jump', could have just said that she thinks you should go back to basics for a bit without a rude comment!

I find the best way to improve jumping is just to get on and do it! I was sooooo incredably useless at jumping when i first started, and the only way i have improved is by giving it a go and jumping some proper courses. My position is no where near perfect yet (and probably never will be) but it will never get better if you don't jump! Obviously going back to basics for a bit is always good, especially if you need more balance but now you've started jumping, why stop?

And i don't think falling off twice in a year is a lot? I've fallen off twice this year and only ride once a week, sometimes you have a lot of falls in succession and other times go a year or more with no falls. The first fall i had this year was when a horse bolted towards a jump, took a stride out then bucked on landing-didn't have much chance of staying on that one and she is 23 years old so it isn't always just youngsters! Second fall was saturday during some showjumping. Met the first part of a double all wrong and so the pony put in an extra stride, wasn't able to clear the jump and so went through it and landed quite hard and off i went due to my raised heels and therfore unstable core . Yes its something i need to work on but its not like i'm falling off every week because of it, and the more i jump the better my position becomes (obviously flatwork also being very important)

Once Ive improved more in my flatwork, maybe around february/march time, I might book a private jumping lessons and see if its all helped!

Hun, we all have 'room for improvement' in so many ways

Not many of us get to ride more than one horse a day, so we get fit where and how we can . Keep up your programme and enjoy the benefits .

ETA: I can't remember how many times you've fallen off... either I wasn't paying attention or it wasn't very often . I've fallen twice in nearly four years (since we got LC), but both falls have been stonkers, so they are noticeable lol. As I've ridden nearly every day (and some days more than one or two horses), the percentage of falls to rides is very low . I think that people tend to hook onto a point and are more likely to remember it, i.e. the falls, and maybe that clouds their overall picture.

That is quite true! My falls always seem to be a bit dramatic, i.e. flying through the air, spinning forwards etc (obv not as bad as yours though!)

Im riding whenever I possibly can, and loving it x

just be honest with yourself are you doing all you can to be as fit can?

Honestly? Yep!

I bet you anything there are plenty on here who fall off far more then you! If you get on a horse you will fall off,it's just one of those things.
Anyone who has only come off a handfull of times must be very new to horses or only ride dope on a rope types....

Running with the lead rein class while they trot on a surface is bloody good for getting you fit-it's much harder to go at the horses pace then your own and the surface is made for them not us.

TG,do what you can,when you can. Trust the person paid to teach you-we see snapshots,she see's you every time you ride.

I will!

(Also, I dare anyone to try and run alongside Razz the shetty cantering - it WILL get you out of puff!)

Chill out dudess

I have just returned from holiday and on my first ride back home (wednesday) this irritating girl annoyed me into jumping.
I fell off four times in about 10 mins all that caused it were simple refusals!
I wasn't riding my best, but that takes my falls this year up to about 4336435326532 approximately... ;D
Keep on with the wii fit, it helped me put an end to my falling off every time i rode phase.. which i hope I haven't just started again!
x

Oh, and I'm ashamed to admit it, but doing a circuit of our titchy 20x40 school leading a kiddie in trot gets me puffing... and i used to be on all the sports teams at school!

Its worse when you're just trotting and trotting and trotting around, for circuits on end... I mean, I know the instructors have already done what we've done, all the running and mucking out, but its still SO tiring!

Hi, I don't get a PE class anymore either I have just had to learn how to exercise myself so I think the dog walking is a good way forward. well done

Ta

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Deleted - *wrong post - sorry!*