Riding without goals/aims.

[Kat_Bath]

Feeling a bit down having had my last lesson at Huntley today and feeling like my riding is in a bit of a dip which is not helped by not better able to better it with an instructor I trust and on horses I know.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to horses outside my lessons so my lessons are the only riding I do (once a week/fortnight). I won't be in the position to have my own horse for some time either.

Previously, I worked towards unaff dressage which gave me a goal. And also, I worked on my jumping incl. confidence and technique etc which was another goal. I reached my goal of jumping a small course and, feeling happy with that, decided to go back to the flat, which I live the most.*

However, now I don't have the dressage to aim for and I'm looking for a new riding school, I feel a bit lost and without purpose. I know that I can work on things in each lesson but I'm a long term person, always looking for the next step, challenge or activity.

There is no real purpose to this post I realise now but I feel better for getting it out there-I hope you don't mind.

Any suggestions/advice welcome.

 

[JFTDWS]

Lots of RSs have in house dressage shows you could aim towards competing in. Just a question of looking for one which suits

 

[Kat_Bath]

Thank you JFTD I'm hoping the school we (my riding friend and I) are trying next week may offer this and that we like it there. It's been hard to find a school as Huntley is so good.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Learn to school the horse. Start by assessing whatever horse you're riding, how its moving, any stiffness, the quality of contact, forwardness, responsiveness, is it straight, is it supple and is that equal in both directions? Assess yourself too, any stiffness, how is your position? How do you plan to go about the warm up for yourself and the horse? What exercises would improve the horse on the 'work' phase? Discuss with the instructor, then, whilst remaining mindful of your riding, set about improving the horse. It's a valuable skill to be able to get on any horse and, after a brief assessment, formulate a plan for improvement.

 

[JFTDWS]

Thank you JFTD I'm hoping the school we (my riding friend and I) are trying next week may offer this and that we like it there. It's been hard to find a school as Huntley is so good.

I don't know it, so can't comment. You could always ask for recommendations in here for your area? Good luck!

 

[Kat_Bath]

There aren't many schools in the local area that we don't already know about but thank you. And thank you for the luck

S&S, this is an intresting post, thank you. It's hard to explain but when I was working on jumping, i actually wasn't concentrating too much on the finer points of my position-it was more about confidence and how to do it rather than how to do the doing bit. I am well aware that probably makes no sense whatsoever!*

Recently, having gone back to flat lessons, I have really been scrutinising (probably spelt wrong because my ipod doesn't do autocorrect on HHO anymore for some reason) every bit of my position which has really only highlighted the bits that need improvement. It's frustrating having an hour (or less once you've worked out what you're going to work on) to improve.

I think I may have been being moapy and sulky because I cant ride more. But, I think your post is an interesting way to help my riding mentality because I tend to be too hard on myself and not have high enough expectations. Perhaps, if I take the focus off of me for a little bit, I will see better results thus feeling better about my riding...