P is off the transfer list...for now

Weezy

Weezy

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Oh I am so fickle! Anyway, had a lesson today with a VERY good trainer (she comes on here, up to her whether she wants to admit to slumming it with me or not LOL) and I saw the light. Since being in this country I have had my riding style pushed and pulled and been told that the way I ride is incorrect and that I need to have more rein, more leg, more everything. This is one of the reasons I have not gotten on with WBs I think, as I have been told to totally restructure my riding. Put me on an Andy and I am in heaven and ride very differently (I think Robin and Piaffe would back me up in this) until I stabled at an *alternative* yard and tried to restructure everything I have done and started questioning too much. For the last 18 months I have truely felt that my ability was slipping away from me and I have been battling against a brick wall and getting nowhere fast. The trainer I usually use is great, and I really rate her, but she gets as frustrated with my mare as I do and I think it all becomes counter productive. Today I was told to leave be, and it made me grin AND it worked. To see my horse going in the way I have tried to make her go, up and forward and not round and backwards (with trainer on back), really proved to me that the only thing holding us back is me, not her, she is MORE than capable and willing to be ridden in the correct way. OK so we are talking dressage and not jumping, and maybe she will never have the heart to jump the courses I want her to jump, but, for now, we have avenues to explore and things to achieve AND out hunt has today decided to start working again, so we have some fun to be had too!

Even if, come spring, I decide she is not the horse for me, I truely believe I will be able to look back at the winter and be able to say "but I gave it my whole".

Happy days
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PS - and this may sound namby pamby, but after the session she really did seem to have her joive de vivre back - will keep you updated!
 
Was this the horse that was feeling a bit off colour lately? Glad she is feeling better and you are getting along. Its great to have the fun of hunting for the season and put the pressure of competing on the back boiler.
 
Oh that is lovely to read Lou.

I have been there myself and it is wonderful when you finally get that feeling of "Oh yes, why didn't I think of trying that before, why did I listen to something that really didn't make much sense to me"!

I look forward to reading about you and P's progress this winter.

It sounds like you are going to have a right laugh.
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Yep! It was as though she said "OMG thank you, I understand a bit more now" - she was really perked up! Cannot wait to take her hunting, got all my kit out earlier (yes I know I am sad!)
 
Thanks Cath! For the last 18 months I have been forcing myself to accept another way of doing things, and today just proved to me that I actually was right in the way I used to ride and it felt lovely! Sure, I have a weak core, a knackered pelvis, crap hands and a million other things, BUT I did feel that my *feel* is still there and I can and WILL progress forwards - felt good!
 
I know my riding isn't at your level at all L, but I have become disillusioned with lessons presently.

Sick of being told to open my pelvis more and lengthen thighs etc. Yes I know I should do that (and turn toes in too!) but I just can't. Knackered pelvis for me too that crunches and grinds and hips that lock if I push my thighs further back. It hurts like stink if I do that and my riding is even less effective if I try to ride "correctly".

I need to find an instructor who can be sympathetic to my own limitations.

Really pleased you've had a great lesson with P. She is a sweetheart, you could do far worse than her.
 
That was a really nice post- you must have been feeling awful before and frustrated. Although my riding is not great, I just thought "to hell with trying to be perfect and get everything right" the other week and had a great lesson. Hope you keep on with this instructor as they seem to be good for you and best wishes with P.
 
That is great news except that you said the 'D' word
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From the pics I've seen she (and you) definitely have the ability to get out and do a really good test.
I'm glad you've found a trainer who gets the best out of both of you
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When I read your PM I had a huge grin on my face, because P is a lovely horse and I don't think she has reached her potential yet. It is now up to you to get her to that point
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Sometimes, a different set of eyes and an alternative training method can just make everything click into place. I felt this when I started having lessons with Jo, but now I have Hannah back in work we are just fighting anf fighting each other (she is being a complete pain in the bottom) and lessons on her are being resumed tomorrow!
 
That sounds like you had a really positive lesson. Sometimes in the pursuit of perfect riding we can forget that different riders and different horses need different techniques to suit their individual needs (I have a wonky pelvis to match Patches' so know all about having to adapt to suit)
 
Good news indeed Weezy. I am glad that you and P are back on track. Like you say, even if you ultimately decide to part company you can at least have a fun-filled Winter together and both give it your best shot. Good luck to you!

Patches (and Weezy and the_watcher) - I can totally relate to what you are saying vis a vis body parts not always working in the optimal way. In my case it is my back rather than pelvis but I have just found an instructor who finally understands that I simply can't get into certain positions and she is happy to work round it. Quite a change from one trainer I had who advised me to give up. I think not.......lol
 
I'm really pleased. Taken a weight of my shoulders anyway. I was really thinking that I should get in touch (if I had decided to part with T), as she is such a super girl, and anyone would be lucky to own her!

But I've decided to keep T, and you've decided to keep P - so there's a certain symetry there me thinks.............
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congrats, that's great to hear. i am so convinced that having a trainer that understands you and your horse and structures things for the two of you, rather than saying you HAVE to ride like so-and-so, is a huge thing, much underrated. well done you.
 
Glad to hear you feel better about P. My OH who is a very limited rider spent ages learning to ride English and could never tell when he was getting better or worse. After one lesson with western, it all made sense and for him was so natural and comfortable - he has never ridden anything else since. I think people should go with what they are happy with when possible.

Patches - do find an instructor who understands your problems. I finally have - mine realises my back is fixed so I have a curved spine and an old shoulder injury which means one hangs lower, plus one leg 1" shorter than the other - god I'm a wreck
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He has taught me to lower the good side slightly and raise the bad side slightly and given me exercises to help with this. He has me near perfect from pelvis down and we do the best we can with the upper half - I am now not too bad and far better than I was. Before that I was being made to lift the bad side and sit in a way that was so uncomfortable.
 
Said trainer.... Understands horses and tries to get riders to understand themselves. No tricks no 'new' sandle wearing lentil eating methods. Just the honesty to try and put people back intouch with what it is they want by accepting where you are and then, piece by piece getting towards your goals.
i have to say WEEZY and her horse are exellent material and it was lovely to be able to get them back on the same wavelength. For me the aim of dressage is to make the horse more beautiful than nature made it. That cannot be achieved by force but by getting the horse and rider to work within themselves , this way there builds a relationship of trust and confidence. This way the horse will not be afraid to take risks. This leads to expression which leads to.... WOW!!
Those risks can be any. I.e jumping hunting, hacking whatever and it is there for everyone at every level.
You do have to be honest with yourself and you do have to want to sweat!!! But you do have those moments that simply take your breath away even if its just a good transition, just one but it was good. Be happy!!!
Ah shucks WEEZYS got me at it now!!!!!
 
Really pleased to hear this Weezy with this and a winters hunting about to start I reckon you could have your showjumper all ready for the spring.

Good luck and I hope the sucess continues.
 
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For me the aim of dressage is to make the horse more beautiful than nature made it.

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That is a lovely way to describe it
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So pleased for you Weezy, P is lovely, I hope you have a super winter together!
 
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Thanks everyone, majority of the thanks go to partoow though! Just wish it wasn't half term - I want to crack on now!

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Thats the best feeling in the world. When yovue had a great session and you wanna get on with it.
Just unfortunate sometimes things like family crop up!
 
I'm glad I have had a very small part in this happening and hope it continues to go well. We have been so pleased with our results since meeting Partoow but because my daughter recently got married we have been short of funds and our season is to finish this week.
My daughter is a better and stronger more elegant rider because of her training [ I know she is still forgetful and scruffy at times but she sits better]We are going to resume our training soon and intend to pop down to Partoow in the next couple of weeks to return her saddle ,which we have had for far too long without complaint.
My daughter was never keen on dressage and loved to jump now she is really getting into dressage and going sideways and loving it.
I'm glad Weezy enjoyed her lesson and hope she can put in the hard work needed, it is all down to the rider, a talented rider can make any horse respond ,no tricks, no gadgets, just good balanced riding with skill and inner core strength
 
I will put in the hard work, I promise
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And a lot of it is thanks to you carthorse, nudges in the right direction and all that
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Now, to sign up to some intensive pilates and yoga to help that inner core strength
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BBs, yes indeed, I feel energised and no more slumping around, I will ride EVERY stride from now on, back to the way I used to!
 
Really glad you're getting on better, and P is feeling a bit more at herself.
|Fingers crossed you have a great seson's hunting (and a bit of dressage as well) on her.
Did I hear you mention that you had ordered a new Patey?? Hope you weren't planning on hunting in that!!!! That would be very naughty indeed (after my accident at the weekend I plan to buy safest hat on the market and wear it at all times, as I was v lucky indeed to get off so lightly).
I wish I knew a trainer who would inspire me the way you have been today!! Lucky you.

Fiona
 
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