HayleyUK
Well-Known Member
as requested by a few people
I had my 1st lesson today after a couple of years out of the saddle (people might remember my posts about schools).
Rode a lovely chunky mare, about 14.2 at a guess..? Really got into it on the flat, did some lovely walk work and got her going really soft and in a near perfect shape. Instructor reckons its only the 2nd time he'd ever seen her work correctly since shes mainly used for learning to ride as shes so straight forward and the kids love her.
They asked about my experience and I explained I'd schooled/jumped 14.2's but after coming off ponies onto a nutty TB I'd decided I didnt wanna ride any more.
We did a little bit of pole work in trot, pony was inclined to lean and come down on her forehand through the turn so I concentrated on trying to lighten her a little bit (felt like I was schooling the pony.. lol) must point out, I was asked how she felt and I pointed out she dropped a little and I was trying to lighten her off my hand. He seemed pleased and left me to it lol.
Popped a few small fences, say 2ft ish? and a stile of say 2ft6 maybe? (I'm not very good with heights) in trot, and tried it in canter but I found it hard to hold her together. Lots of pony behind the leg and she wasn't the eaisest to turn and hold together to a fence.. but I had fun. Had a couple of run outs where she was testing me out, she soon caught on that I wasn't soft in the head and she needed to work. My distinct lack of style probably wasnt helping much and discovered i have a tendancy to 'hold on' over and after a fence a little too much.
My left leg is definatly feeling it, and I feel a bit lost now. Not used to just turning up, riding and leaving so considering asking if they'd like me to help out on a wednesday afternoon and maybe the weekend in a little while.
I've booked a 2nd lesson, really enjoyed myself and was pleased that although there is no strength there any more, i tired much more easily and had a tendancy to kind of collapse and then pick myself back up and sort myself out I'm not actually as crap as i thought I was going to be. It all felt very very natural. Bring on BHS stage 1
Thank you so much to everyone who encouraged me, I feel so much better for just a 45 min private lesson.. Really want to find a share now!!
H xxx
I had my 1st lesson today after a couple of years out of the saddle (people might remember my posts about schools).
Rode a lovely chunky mare, about 14.2 at a guess..? Really got into it on the flat, did some lovely walk work and got her going really soft and in a near perfect shape. Instructor reckons its only the 2nd time he'd ever seen her work correctly since shes mainly used for learning to ride as shes so straight forward and the kids love her.
They asked about my experience and I explained I'd schooled/jumped 14.2's but after coming off ponies onto a nutty TB I'd decided I didnt wanna ride any more.
We did a little bit of pole work in trot, pony was inclined to lean and come down on her forehand through the turn so I concentrated on trying to lighten her a little bit (felt like I was schooling the pony.. lol) must point out, I was asked how she felt and I pointed out she dropped a little and I was trying to lighten her off my hand. He seemed pleased and left me to it lol.
Popped a few small fences, say 2ft ish? and a stile of say 2ft6 maybe? (I'm not very good with heights) in trot, and tried it in canter but I found it hard to hold her together. Lots of pony behind the leg and she wasn't the eaisest to turn and hold together to a fence.. but I had fun. Had a couple of run outs where she was testing me out, she soon caught on that I wasn't soft in the head and she needed to work. My distinct lack of style probably wasnt helping much and discovered i have a tendancy to 'hold on' over and after a fence a little too much.
My left leg is definatly feeling it, and I feel a bit lost now. Not used to just turning up, riding and leaving so considering asking if they'd like me to help out on a wednesday afternoon and maybe the weekend in a little while.
I've booked a 2nd lesson, really enjoyed myself and was pleased that although there is no strength there any more, i tired much more easily and had a tendancy to kind of collapse and then pick myself back up and sort myself out I'm not actually as crap as i thought I was going to be. It all felt very very natural. Bring on BHS stage 1
Thank you so much to everyone who encouraged me, I feel so much better for just a 45 min private lesson.. Really want to find a share now!!
H xxx