Lesson report for today! *pics and videos*

[Thelwell_Girl]

Had a day off school today, so thought it was a great opportunity to have a private lesson

Was pleased to see I was riding Bonnie! Little did I know I would go on to regret this...

She was SUCH a cowbag today! Strong, not maliciously, just through cheekiness.

Had Z, not my usual instructor, and have to say I learnt a lot!

Hopped on (well, clambered on... I am not very elegant when i get a leg up!), sorted out my stirrups and started walking round.

Look at her face though Butter wouldnt melt, eh?

Warmed up a bit and started trotting. I managed to get my diagonals right 85% of the time, so I was quiet happy with that

Then we started cantering. She was so strong! We were in the outdoor and working in half of the arena, so I really had to make sure she stuck to the track (as you can see in the videos, this didnt always go to plan!). She threw in the occasional weeny buck, which I (somehow ) managed to stick to!

I do however need to sit back a lot more, as I know next time I might not be so lucky!

Then, we took stirrups away...

Good heavens, rising trot without stirrups is SO uncomfortable!

Did lots of funny exercises to get my knees to STOP GRIPPING (!!!) and get my legs hanging down soft and relaxed.

Trot went ok, actually! Bonnie is really comfy (when she isnt being horrid ) and once I'd actually found my seatbones, Z asked if I'd like to canter.



Off we went! My knees did make me go a bit wobbly, so I slowed down, but got some nice canters in

Took stirrups back and did a bit more work. She reaaaally did NOT want to canter a full circle! I was firm with her and, although we had some moments, did eventually get it. What I do need to remember to do is make sure that if she misbehaves I act on it, not sit there going "oooh look she bucked isnt that cute/funny/scary" A smaller rider than me might not be so wise to her ways, so i have to make sure she listens to me.

Overall, I did have a good lesson. It was tiring, frustrating and painful at times, but we got through it and I really felt that I learnt a lot

Felt a bit wobbly in canter though , think its because I was gripping to actually stay on the devil-pony!

Sadly wont be having my group on sunday, as i forfeited it for this private lesson, and wont be there next week either, as I am off hacking with TheresaW!

As always, thank you for reading. CC is welcome, I really do appreciate your advice!

TG xx

P.S. Went to Waitrose today to re-stock on my baking supplies, so until I get around to making some more eatables, have some of these!

~
Now for the videos Turn the volume up for commentary by my instructor!

[youtube]EZS8q7mLCIQ[/youtube]

Without stirrups...
[youtube]_srg11NFkN4[/youtube]

Erm, steering?!
[youtube]Shze1dqKceU[/youtube]

 

[Benji1]

Oooh errr. Well done for keeping trying missy, she didn't look like she wanted to work, bad bonnie coblet.

You probably can guess what I'm going to say next, What. On. Earth. are your toes doing missy?!

They got worse after she bucked, I think you tensed up and kept tensing up, which was sending your toes down, which forced you to 'cling' to your stirrups which pushed them towards your heals. Something to work on in future - our equine friends seem to go through a 'cheeky' phase around this time of year!

Your instructor made me laugh!

I used to do alot of 'stirrup' slipping when I had a cheeky pony, I found pretending I had pound coins between the ball of my foot and the stirrup iron helped illiminate slippage

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

I know, my feet are awful!

Thanks for the advice B xx

 

[starsnrunes]

Looking good.

Sit for a couple of strides before you ask for canter....Your transitions are good, it'll just make it a bit easier for you and the horse.

 

[Onyxia]

Have to say I am disgusted.














WHERE is the bloody rain? Is it just attacking Yorkshire? HMMMMMMMM?
Well done hun,yes clearly lots of things to work on but you kept trying

Don't worry or feel silly about telling her off either-she knows her job,she is a school horse afterall and forgetting/not correcting her will only teach her it is OK.

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Looking good.

Sit for a couple of strides before you ask for canter....Your transitions are good, it'll just make it a bit easier for you and the horse.

Thanks

Will do xx

Have to say I am disgusted.














WHERE is the bloody rain? Is it just attacking Yorkshire? HMMMMMMMM?
Well done hun,yes clearly lots of things to work on but you kept trying

Don't worry or feel silly about telling her off either-she knows her job,she is a school horse afterall and forgetting/not correcting her will only teach her it is OK.

God, you gave me SUCH a heart attack there!!

And there was rain... I just didnt mind it so much! Mostly started as we were walking back up to the yard.

Re: Telling her off: Its not even that im worried of hurting her or anything, I know shes a rought tough cream puff, but when I tapped her she bucked and it worried me

 

[brighteyes]

Bonnie is taking the piss and needed a slap about six times as hard as you gave her. Fact coming up - you will NEVER get a neat seat if you have to make more than a minimum squeeze to change pace up or down. Sorry, and I'll bet you are pretty exhausted after all that kicking and flapping. What do tired muscles and other things do? They go all floppy and uncooperative and about as easy to make work as that bloody pony. So, you eventually cajole her into three strides of canter and then spend more energy maintaining it and have no chance to get sitting pretty. I haven't put my finger on why, but you seem up her neck? There's so much pony behind you/ the saddle that I'm a bit unsure what's going on. I'd like to know what you feel you gained from that frankly awful lesson. I'd say that the unwillingness of the pony is now hindering your progress. You need some lunge lessons to get your seat sorted (and you don't have to worry about keeping the pony going and can concentrate fully on your position) and then learn to get some respect from your ride. The pony knows fine well it is being disobedient and the bucking is her objecting to you more firmly asking for canter. Honestly, it needs a proper smack and time to reconsider ignorant behaviour.

In her defence, she looks fed up and like she wants to be doing anything save trot round the school.

Hacking out will do you good. I hope it's on a decent horse where you can sit nicely and not have to work so unreasonably hard.

 

[Benji1]

I'd possibly change for a shorter whip in those circumstances aswell, as school whips are a bit of a pain (or is that just me) when you really have to get after them and tell them 'No, I said canter'.

If you can't get lunge lessons atm, could you request Pally - or something as forward going?

I know you love Bonnie and thats fine - believe me I was in love with the laziest pony for a long time RIP Betty Boo - but riding ponies like her often will mess with your seat/balance as you're not advanced enough to sit on your bum and sit back whilst asking for canter - that'll come with time!

I think I'm seeing a pattern here - you look fab on something slightly easier - then you go back to Bonnie and things go to pot, it happens, don't get disheartened, you can still love Bonnie but right now she's not doing you any favours.

Keep working at it, you'l get there!

 

[Cedars]

Are there any other horses you could ride? The ones you stick to dont seem to do you much good. x

 

[NiceChristmasBaubles]

Wow, looks like you had a work out and a half there, what a naughty girl! At least the rain held off, it's been tipping down in Berkshire all day. One thing I would say though is that you look so far forward. Not sure if it is the pony, the saddle or you, but you are almost above the shoulders which would make anyone go wobbly without stirrups.

ETS - just to clarify, the pony is the naughty girl, not you!!

 

[monkeybum13]

Ooh the cakes look yummy, lucky you having an inset day!

As for position is there another horse you can ride? Something more responsive to the aids so you can focus on you and not getting the horse forwards.

Don't want to drag up old threads but have you tried tying your hair up?

 

[outandabout]

Flippin' riding school ponies!! It is so much easier to look like a neat and tidy rider on a forward going horse...! If you are worried about her bucking if you flick her on the trot/canter transition, deal with her in the slower paces through transitions. Canter is not a great time to have an argument with them as both the back feet are hitting the floor at about the same time - there's a lot of power there for them to misbehave, if that makes sense. It's like when they're jumping, it's easier for them to refuse in canter than it is in trot.

My horse can be stuffy (and he would buck VERY hard if I flicked him when going into canter!) so I deal with him very firmly at walk and trot and by the time we start cantering he has got the message. A horse can feel a fly land on its coat, you shouldn't need to thump away to get a response - she is ignoring you to see if she can get away with it! There are two routes for you - use a short stick, reins in one hand (maybe a piece of mane too!) and wallop her or alternatively flick her decisively with the schooling whip until you get a response. The getting a response is key - the best instructor I've ever had would always say when you used a stick "Get a reaction!" (even if it is a buck, though you would of course keep going if necessary) because you are then making progress from them ignoring you. Riding school ponies are crafty as hell - don't feel bad for needing to assert yourself. They don't hold grudges over things like that!

 

[nativetyponies]

10/10 for trying so hard TG

2 things...

1. the pony doesn't look 100% sound to me?

2. the saddle isn't a good fit..its too far forward..(too narrow?) ..probably causing the above (and the bucks!)

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Bonnie is taking the piss and needed a slap about six times as hard as you gave her. Fact coming up - you will NEVER get a neat seat if you have to make more than a minimum squeeze to change pace up or down. Sorry, and I'll bet you are pretty exhausted after all that kicking and flapping. What do tired muscles and other things do? They go all floppy and uncooperative and about as easy to make work as that bloody pony. So, you eventually cajole her into three strides of canter and then spend more energy maintaining it and have no chance to get sitting pretty. I haven't put my finger on why, but you seem up her neck? There's so much pony behind you/ the saddle that I'm a bit unsure what's going on. I'd like to know what you feel you gained from that frankly awful lesson. I'd say that the unwillingness of the pony is now hindering your progress. You need some lunge lessons to get your seat sorted (and you don't have to worry about keeping the pony going and can concentrate fully on your position) and then learn to get some respect from your ride. The pony knows fine well it is being disobedient and the bucking is her objecting to you more firmly asking for canter. Honestly, it needs a proper smack and time to reconsider ignorant behaviour.

In her defence, she looks fed up and like she wants to be doing anything save trot round the school.

Hacking out will do you good. I hope it's on a decent horse where you can sit nicely and not have to work so unreasonably hard.

Don't really know what to say, Brighteyes!

I know Bonnie was being disobedient, I know I need to be much tougher with her. I will ask for a more forward horse next lesson.

I am going to sort out a lunge lesson again. I know I have an awful lot to work on.

I've no idea what Mac will be like to ride. He looks lovely, sounds lovely, and I'm excited to get the chance to hack out with Theresa.

I'd possibly change for a shorter whip in those circumstances aswell, as school whips are a bit of a pain (or is that just me) when you really have to get after them and tell them 'No, I said canter'.

If you can't get lunge lessons atm, could you request Pally - or something as forward going?

I know you love Bonnie and thats fine - believe me I was in love with the laziest pony for a long time RIP Betty Boo - but riding ponies like her often will mess with your seat/balance as you're not advanced enough to sit on your bum and sit back whilst asking for canter - that'll come with time!

I think I'm seeing a pattern here - you look fab on something slightly easier - then you go back to Bonnie and things go to pot, it happens, don't get disheartened, you can still love Bonnie but right now she's not doing you any favours.

Keep working at it, you'l get there!

Thank you for the advice B - I think I need to take a break from Bonnie again, IYSWIM. Xx

Are there any other horses you could ride? The ones you stick to dont seem to do you much good. x

See above! x

Wow, looks like you had a work out and a half there, what a naughty girl! At least the rain held off, it's been tipping down in Berkshire all day. One thing I would say though is that you look so far forward. Not sure if it is the pony, the saddle or you, but you are almost above the shoulders which would make anyone go wobbly without stirrups.

ETS - just to clarify, the pony is the naughty girl, not you!!

Thank you for your comments - will text someone at the yard to have a look at it.

I don lean forward a lot, which may be some of that x

 

[martlin]

You've tried very hard, TG - I wouldn't.
As above, the saddle doesn't seem to fit at all.
TBH, I am a bit astounded that somebody would pay for this as a private lesson, all your efforts where pretty much pointless

 

[Booboos]

We hey!!! Well done for doing all that work without stirrups, it's painful but that's the way to go (rising trot without stirrups is an absolute killer, but brilliant for your balance), and well done for sitting to that buck and keeping her going!

I can see what the others mean about Bonnie making you work hard. If you can, be very determined from the moment you get on. If you get on, put your leg, get no reaction, then back it up with a little tap with the whip immediately, she might be more forward going for the whole lesson then. You do look very far forward which I think is the saddle, but I don't think there is much you can do about it since she's not your horse.

Keep the reports coming, you are doing great!!

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

Ooh the cakes look yummy, lucky you having an inset day!

As for position is there another horse you can ride? Something more responsive to the aids so you can focus on you and not getting the horse forwards.

Don't want to drag up old threads but have you tried tying your hair up?

Am going to ask for a different horse next time

Ah, I thougtt this style was better! I did fold it up at first, must have fallen out. Bigger hairband next time! X

Flippin' riding school ponies!! It is so much easier to look like a neat and tidy rider on a forward going horse...! If you are worried about her bucking if you flick her on the trot/canter transition, deal with her in the slower paces through transitions. Canter is not a great time to have an argument with them as both the back feet are hitting the floor at about the same time - there's a lot of power there for them to misbehave, if that makes sense. It's like when they're jumping, it's easier for them to refuse in canter than it is in trot.

My horse can be stuffy (and he would buck VERY hard if I flicked him when going into canter!) so I deal with him very firmly at walk and trot and by the time we start cantering he has got the message. A horse can feel a fly land on its coat, you shouldn't need to thump away to get a response - she is ignoring you to see if she can get away with it! There are two routes for you - use a short stick, reins in one hand (maybe a piece of mane too!) and wallop her or alternatively flick her decisively with the schooling whip until you get a response. The getting a response is key - the best instructor I've ever had would always say when you used a stick "Get a reaction!" (even if it is a buck, though you would of course keep going if necessary) because you are then making progress from them ignoring you. Riding school ponies are crafty as hell - don't feel bad for needing to assert yourself. They don't hold grudges over things like that!

Thank you for your helpful advice!

That's what my instructor was saying, even if she did buck, if she went into canter a bit early, at least she responded!

Hehe, as long as B gets a banana, all is forgotten xx

10/10 for trying so hard TG

2 things...

1. the pony doesn't look 100% sound to me?

2. the saddle isn't a good fit..its too far forward..(too narrow?) ..probably causing the above (and the bucks!)

Hmm... Could you maybe go into a bit more detail on those? I can then get someone at the yard to look her over and call vet/saddler as necessary.

 

[nativetyponies]

she has a "stilted" movement in front..even taking into consideration she's a cob..

and the saddle is what i said..too far forwards..its maybe too narrow..which would hamper her front end movement..stopping her wanting to go forwards as she is restricted in her shoulder by the saddle pressing on her scapula.

an ill-fitting saddle can cause a mulitude of problems TBH..and one of them is front end "unlevelness" (is that a word?)

it may all be a vicious circle and getting after the mare isn't going to help a bit. i personally don't think she's being a monkey...as she tends to "jump" into canter..a sign that she is trying to avoid a "pinch" during transition.

 

[Magicmillbrook]

Well you can have loads of cakes after that work out! Well done with your work without stirrups. I remember riding ponies like this. On in particular knew exactly just how much (or little) she could get away with. Once you got to grips with her and she realised you meant business she was great, fab big canter and could jump well over 3ft. She was just the same when she came out of the RS and lived we us an our ponies.

Horse like Bonnie are the bread and butter of the RS and worth their weight in gold, slow for beginners, more advanced riders can push them on. Unfortunately you are a bit in the middle at the moment. You kneed my Flicka, she is a novice ride in the arena, a nudge with the leg moves her on. She is just a bit more challenging to hack and jump!!!

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

You've tried very hard, TG - I wouldn't.
As above, the saddle doesn't seem to fit at all.
TBH, I am a bit astounded that somebody would pay for this as a private lesson, all your efforts where pretty much pointless

I feel that, as horrid as Bonnie was, I did learn. I worked without stirrups for 20 minutes or so (trot without stirrups is a big hang up of mine), and even managed to canter w/o stirrups.

I will get someone to look at her saddle.

We hey!!! Well done for doing all that work without stirrups, it's painful but that's the way to go (rising trot without stirrups is an absolute killer, but brilliant for your balance), and well done for sitting to that buck and keeping her going!

I can see what the others mean about Bonnie making you work hard. If you can, be very determined from the moment you get on. If you get on, put your leg, get no reaction, then back it up with a little tap with the whip immediately, she might be more forward going for the whole lesson then. You do look very far forward which I think is the saddle, but I don't think there is much you can do about it since she's not your horse.

Keep the reports coming, you are doing great!!

Thank you for your advice Booboos

I'll see if I can get someone to take a look at her saddle. Xx

 

[Thelwell_Girl]

she has a "stilted" movement in front..even taking into consideration she's a cob..

and the saddle is what i said..too far forwards..its maybe too narrow..which would hamper her front end movement..stopping her wanting to go forwards as she is restricted in her shoulder by the saddle pressing on her scapula.

an ill-fitting saddle can cause a mulitude of problems TBH..and one of them is front end "unlevelness" (is that a word?)

it may all be a vicious circle and getting after the mare isn't going to help a bit. i personally don't think she's being a monkey...as she tends to "jump" into canter..a sign that she is trying to avoid a "pinch" during transition.

Hmm...

I will text one of the girls at the yard and get her to tell the YM. Thank you for the comments!

Well you can have loads of cakes after that work out! Well done with your work without stirrups. I remember riding ponies like this. On in particular knew exactly just how much (or little) she could get away with. Once you got to grips with her and she realised you meant business she was great, fab big canter and could jump well over 3ft. She was just the same when she came out of the RS and lived we us an our ponies.

Horse like Bonnie are the bread and butter of the RS and worth their weight in gold, slow for beginners, more advanced riders can push them on. Unfortunately you are a bit in the middle at the moment. You kneed my Flicka, she is a novice ride in the arena, a nudge with the leg moves her on. She is just a bit more challenging to hack and jump!!!

Thanks

Heh, seems so, eh?

I've seen Bonnie jump 1m before

X

 

[Quartz]

How annoying why can't I see the videos!!!!

 

[3Beasties]

10/10 for trying so hard TG

2 things...

1. the pony doesn't look 100% sound to me?

2. the saddle isn't a good fit..its too far forward..(too narrow?) ..probably causing the above (and the bucks!)

Completely agree with the above!

 

[Fairynuff]

she has a "stilted" movement in front..even taking into consideration she's a cob..

and the saddle is what i said..too far forwards..its maybe too narrow..which would hamper her front end movement..stopping her wanting to go forwards as she is restricted in her shoulder by the saddle pressing on her scapula.

an ill-fitting saddle can cause a mulitude of problems TBH..and one of them is front end "unlevelness" (is that a word?)

it may all be a vicious circle and getting after the mare isn't going to help a bit. i personally don't think she's being a monkey...as she tends to "jump" into canter..a sign that she is trying to avoid a "pinch" during transition.

Agree with you 100 per cent, plus, the saddle isn't helping TGs position in any way at all. Poor pony having to work with a saddle which either doesn't fit or someone has tacked her up with saddle sitting on her shoulder. Do LEC still have working pupils?
Im sure you will enjoy your hack, much more relaxing than school work.

 

[Kellys Heroes]

Whaaayyy well done TG!
IMHO...why does it matter that you "sit pretty" unless you're competing in dressage?
You kept your seat, sat bucks and although you let her take the mickey a little bit you badgered her to get on again!!!
Also you have said before you have trouble finding your seatbones - in this lesson you said you found them. TG = 1, naughty pony = 0!
The two things I will say would be - RS ponies are very *kick kick flap flap* - to rectify this I'd carry a short whip, one firm squeeze. If no reaction, one firm kick. If no reaction, take your reins in one hand and give a firm tap!
The other is you may find canter without stirrups easier if you keep your upper body stock still and move your hips with the saddle its taken me months and months to "get" this!!

BUT..to me, feeling like you have had a lesson where you have worked hard and improved (even if its only an improvement on one tiny thing) is a lesson well spent, whether your position was perfect all the way through or not. RS ponies are not the easiest to ride!!
Well done!!
K xx

 

[Chavhorse]

Whaaayyy well done TG!
IMHO...why does it matter that you "sit pretty" unless you're competing in dressage?
You kept your seat, sat bucks and although you let her take the mickey a little bit you badgered her to get on again!!!
Also you have said before you have trouble finding your seatbones - in this lesson you said you found them. TG = 1, naughty pony = 0!
The two things I will say would be - RS ponies are very *kick kick flap flap* - to rectify this I'd carry a short whip, one firm squeeze. If no reaction, one firm kick. If no reaction, take your reins in one hand and give a firm tap!
The other is you may find canter without stirrups easier if you keep your upper body stock still and move your hips with the saddle its taken me months and months to "get" this!!

BUT..to me, feeling like you have had a lesson where you have worked hard and improved (even if its only an improvement on one tiny thing) is a lesson well spent, whether your position was perfect all the way through or not. RS ponies are not the easiest to ride!!
Well done!!
K xx

Blimey girl that was some workout)

Kelly has made the point I made last time that I would rather see less kick and flap and more firm squeeze, then firm tap. As others have said you will never be able to work on getting your legs long and a firm leg position when you have to keep taking them away to give Bonnie a good boot.

For your canter transition think sit deep and push forward with your hips and ( how can I put this delicately!) "ride your saddle" remember that you are looking for the engine in the back to motor through to the front so you have to release the brakes to let the energy through so give with those hands.

Well done for sitting those bucks (especially with no stirrup!) and I really do recommend that next chance you have for a private lesson specifically ask for a more forward going horse and request you start off on the lunge, really work on that position and seat security then move on to exercises in walk maintaining your position then exercises in trot ditto maintaining the deep position.

Interesting thought when I was learning my instructor at the time put me up on the lunge on her very sensitive Dressage horse just to feel the difference between my normal horse and one that was light and sensitive to the touch, wonder if a short session like this is a possibility just so you can see how much leg a well schooled horse takes? (notice I said on the lunge....in a nice way if you just put more than the merest kiss of pressure on my horse for instance you would be in Belguim!)))) I wonder if the comparison would be a good lesson for you then you will know what you are aiming for and whilst Bonnie Coblet lets face it is never going to be the most forward going horse at least you would know what you aare aiming at.

Also ditto getting out and getting some hacking miles under your belt (take the pressure off and enjoy it for a few weeks then back to it!)

I think as far as Bonnie's saddle is concerned it looks to me like someone has put it on too far forward so she can not move freely through the shoulder hence her jumps into canter rather than smooth transitions....I would maybe show the pics to someone at the yard and just get them to check.

 

[Cedars]

I would be going nuts if I'd paid for a private lesson on a horse that behaved like that all lesson...I know that they're living beings but I would be really unimpressed (particularly at the price I pay!!).

I currently need to be riding forward going horses as I'm working on my seat and if I need to kick and flap there isn't any point cos I lose balance. You need to be on more advanced horses - and if your riding school cant provide that, you need to move.

 

[diggerbez]

you know what i reckon? you need a new riding school... from what little i;ve seen on here you have improved loads, and (more importantly) you really WANT to improve and get as much advice as possible...and yet the ponies you are riding in your lessons aren't allowing you to improve at the rate that you should be... RS ponies like Bonnie are worth their weight in gold for teaching people the basics/ making them feel safe etc...but they are not ponies that you can then improve further on as they are just too much effort and then you spend your whole time kicking and kicking so you can't focus on yourself and your own position. so i guess what i am saying is that you are now too good and need better horses to ride
Brighteyes is right, some lunge lessons on a decent schoolmaster would benefit you no end... perhaps it might be worth having less lessons but somewhere with horses that are more 'schoolmaster' than 'riding school'? just an idea... i learnt to ride on ponies like this and it wasn't until i went somewhere different when i was about 17 that i actually started to improve...and i'm still crap now... get it sorted earlier is my advice

 

[Chavhorse]

you know what i reckon? you need a new riding school... from what little i;ve seen on here you have improved loads, and (more importantly) you really WANT to improve and get as much advice as possible...and yet the ponies you are riding in your lessons aren't allowing you to improve at the rate that you should be... RS ponies like Bonnie are worth their weight in gold for teaching people the basics/ making them feel safe etc...but they are not ponies that you can then improve further on as they are just too much effort and then you spend your whole time kicking and kicking so you can't focus on yourself and your own position. so i guess what i am saying is that you are now too good and need better horses to ride
Brighteyes is right, some lunge lessons on a decent schoolmaster would benefit you no end... perhaps it might be worth having less lessons but somewhere with horses that are more 'schoolmaster' than 'riding school'? just an idea... i learnt to ride on ponies like this and it wasn't until i went somewhere different when i was about 17 that i actually started to improve...and i'm still crap now... get it sorted earlier is my advice

TG DB has put it much better I tried to.....its a good thing (if a little scary) you have moved on time to look for a schoolmaster that knows its job and you can learn from. No idea if your current riding school has this if it hasn't I know its a bit scary as you feel safe there but its time to jog on. I am sure there will be a flurry of suggestions of where to go if you ask. xx

 

[Snowysadude]

Aww bonnie is cute but looks very bored in the school! Looks more like she could do with a couple of months of just hacking to wake her up and get her interested in life but I know on a riding school that cant be afforded as not financially viable or feasable.

Not joking if you ever want a sit on a nice, foward, sweet warmblood (can stick him on the lunge if you wanted - even just at first) feel free to come over and have a sit on mine. I know you went to catlips which is two minutes from my yard and you always seem to get the lazy ones on the riding school which wont help your position!! Main thing with mine that might put you off is the fact that hes 17hh, but other than that hes lovely (didnt used to be but has now oficially grown up and is out of pain - videos of him can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yZGGdT2KKE (ignore the kick out he only does that if you slap him and i just wont give you a whip ) and then on www.youtube.com/user/daziet - in the first one he doesnt look foward but thats cause hes only been in work 3 weeks there ) xx