WishfulThinker
Well-Known Member
I've had Beau for almost 3 years now, and for the most part 2.5 years it hasn't gone very well, lots of communication problems wich ended in him going on loan for a year - for him to grow up and me to sort stuff out (including my weight).
Well.......I am so happy as everything has finally fallen into place! I have had him back 6 months and we are going great guns! Just over 2 months ago I was still very nervous riding him - especialyl in canter and jumping, and I would only canter in out sand school. I have been having lessons a lot recently (5 in the last 3 weeks!) and have progressed from cantering over flat poles in the school, to 2ft9" jumps in the jumping field, and on to a course and fillers. But last night was the icing on the cake - this may seem very silly - but for the 1st time in 7 years I cantered without stirrups! I just decided what the hell and went for it! I remembered everything my instructor had told me (I used to let him run into a fast trot then into canter) about slowingmy transitions down and being firmer and "Cool, Calm,Collected" and low and behold I got what I can only describe as the comfiest canter ever! He really took care of me, and he collected himself up (I really felt him go back on his haunches) and even though we were cantering at a slow (almost trot)pace he didn't create like usual and stopped exactly when I told him! I was beaming from ear to ear
Unfortunately no one was there to witness it, so it was my own personal battle that I just overcame. And on top of that the other day we had a full blown gallop and he stopped with just a touch on the reins.
I am so proud of both of us - he has gone from an uncontrollable , leaning, pulling speed freak to a responsive controlled dobbin, and I am no longer scared of him!
Congrats if u bothered reading that, I jsut wanted to share it! It feels silly considering I have been riding for 13 years and it should all be 2nd nature to me, but I feel like my old 'ride anything, who cares if I come off' self!
Well.......I am so happy as everything has finally fallen into place! I have had him back 6 months and we are going great guns! Just over 2 months ago I was still very nervous riding him - especialyl in canter and jumping, and I would only canter in out sand school. I have been having lessons a lot recently (5 in the last 3 weeks!) and have progressed from cantering over flat poles in the school, to 2ft9" jumps in the jumping field, and on to a course and fillers. But last night was the icing on the cake - this may seem very silly - but for the 1st time in 7 years I cantered without stirrups! I just decided what the hell and went for it! I remembered everything my instructor had told me (I used to let him run into a fast trot then into canter) about slowingmy transitions down and being firmer and "Cool, Calm,Collected" and low and behold I got what I can only describe as the comfiest canter ever! He really took care of me, and he collected himself up (I really felt him go back on his haunches) and even though we were cantering at a slow (almost trot)pace he didn't create like usual and stopped exactly when I told him! I was beaming from ear to ear
Unfortunately no one was there to witness it, so it was my own personal battle that I just overcame. And on top of that the other day we had a full blown gallop and he stopped with just a touch on the reins.
I am so proud of both of us - he has gone from an uncontrollable , leaning, pulling speed freak to a responsive controlled dobbin, and I am no longer scared of him!
Congrats if u bothered reading that, I jsut wanted to share it! It feels silly considering I have been riding for 13 years and it should all be 2nd nature to me, but I feel like my old 'ride anything, who cares if I come off' self!
