I've been riding for a year - a history in pictures!

[RustyMary]

Well, I haven't got an exact date for an anniversary, because as some of you may remember I actually started in September 2005, but stopped again after only 4 or 5 lessons because of the snow; so I'm taking the beginning of May as it being a true year (and it's taken me this long to find time to make a thread about it!)

So here's a couple of pictures from my very first lesson - maybe my third time ever on a horse, as I'd been pony trekking for an hour or two in the dim and distant past. Don't giggle too much - at least I'm trying hard!!! :D :D

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/JM5.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/JM8.jpg

A few lessons later we'd made a bit of progress... still on a lunge line though.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/4-5-06Markus4.jpg

I missed another month in the summer as we went to England, and when I got back it was to find they were no longer doing lessons at the RS in the village, so I had to change to my current RS in Austria - which you might remember was a great move for me :)
These are from an early lesson there in September :

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/Justgin621-9-06.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/Justgin3.jpg

By November I was completely in love with Ginger:

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/compact30-11.jpg

More to come....

[RustyMary]

My riding was going better too:

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/compact30-1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/compact30-4.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/compact30-3.jpg

I learned to steer in walk and trot by using my seat and outside rein, and finally moved on to MY FIRST CANTER just after Christmas...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMWr2P59xhU

Remember my first hack in the snow? That was at the end of January, and I love reading that thread again as I'm right back there in the pinky sunset light :D :D :D

http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=102127

Canter started getting better by February (note I'm not holding on anymore :D )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBCQmc039BI

Recent pics to come...

[NicP]

How great to track your progress like that - you have really come a long way.

That horse you were on in your first lesson looked HUGE!

[RustyMary]

I had a bit of a hiccup with canter in March, feeling like I'd completely lost control, but we worked through it and it feels better than ever these days. The other day I said Ginger seemed a bit stiff or tired and RI said 'Have a bit of a canter round and see if that loosens her up a bit' and I said OK and then burst out laughing as a few weeks before a comment like that would have completely freaked me out!!

My position is improving a bit - and I wasn't even thinking about it here, we were just chatting...

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/IMG_1154.jpg

These pics are from the end of March - sorry I haven't taken the camera for a while so I haven't any really recent ones. It's much too hot for a jacket now - I'm about to invest in some lightweight jods!

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/IMG_1162.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/IMG_1126small.jpg

So what I really wanted to say (and hasn't it taken me ages!) is that after a year I've achieved my goal:

:D :D I can ride a horse! :D :D

OK OK - I know; I know absolutely nothing really, there's a million miles to go - but then I didn't know when I started that riding is one of those things where the more you know the more there is to know (but isn't that the fun of it?) My original goal is achieved but of course there are loads of new ones - to continue (of course!), gain more experience, improve, feel as comfortable in canter as I currently do in trot, feel as comfortable in trot as I currently do in walk, do lots of hacking, and fall deeper in love with Ginger!

Thanks for reading!!!

[Imp]

Ahhh, lovely, I love the first canter vid... me and DD sat and cheered when you did it :D

Isn't it lovely to look back and see your achievements, and what achievements...

Looking forward to the rest of the pics :D

[RustyMary]

Thanks Imp - I think the whole of Austria cheered - we'd been trying for an hour and a half!!!

[sophie33]

what a great post! You've made brilliant progress: a transformation in a year (and we haven't even seen the newest pics) :)

[RustyMary]

That's all for now - but I'll take OH and the camera to my next lesson!

Oh he's started as well - I need some pics of him too!

[horses4eva888]

I'd love to have pics of my first lesson! I know what you mean about the hiccup I had one 1yr and a few months into riding. Great to see you so relaxed in your lesson whilst having a chat. Love your RI she's fab such a confidence inspirer:D

[Imp]

Fantastic! you'll both be hacking out into the wild blue yonder together in another year from now :D Just HOW cool is THAT???!!!!! :D :D:p

[nelle]

RustyMary you have come so far in only a year - you and Ginger look fab together and I envy your canter position, I don't think I look as good as you and I've been riding 2 years.

Here's to another year of fantastic progress!

[mudcakes79]

What a fantastic thread!

[RustyMary]

NicP - sorry I've only just seen your post! Yes Markus was huge - 17hh - when I turned up and saw him I couldn't quite believe it, I'd never even been close to such a big animal and she wanted me to get ON him :eek: ! And yes, I did need steps ;)

Thanks for your reply horses4eva - my RI is definitely not for sale :D - she is just the brillest!!! How about moving out to Austria?

Thanks nelle :) - I'm sure it's not true though - it's only when you see all the pics together that you really see how far you've come. If I've made progress it's only because of my great RI and the fabulous Ginger, who always push me just enough...

mudcakes how nice that this is your first post - welcome to NR!

[horses4eva888]

mabye mabye:p I like skiing:D Not sure what my parents would say to that though lol

[poohsmate]

Well done you!!:D having followed you from the start:) it's been great to follow your progress from a nervous nellie! (meant in the nicest way) to someone who is now so full of confidence...lovely to see the pics jumping ones next:D :D

[Teehee]

Very nice pictures, the horse and you look like you are very comfortable with each other!!! :D

[domane]

Lovely update and just look at your progress :D

I agree with your comment wholeheartedly - you CAN ride a horse!!!

You have come on in leaps and bounds RM... it's wonderful to see.... :D :D

Congratulations xxx

[Faerie Rider]

That was so lovely RM thankyou for sharing that with us...really wonderful!

Well girl! Give yourself a big pat on the back and a carrot for Ginger too!

lol
FR

[Whatanejit]

Brilliant post RM!

Look at the difference in the first and last photos! I'm sure all of us can relate to that.

You are an inspiration for other matures who are just starting or indeed struggling a little.

Great that you have got OH at it now too - what a result!

Happy anniversary RM!!

[Skib]

A great record RustyMary and a lesson for other older starters: e.g. you looked for a real good teacher who suited you and had a horse you enjoyed.
And thank you for an honest report that canter does not come instantly, even when the RI says you are ready, it takes time and patience.

I am fascinated that your OH has followed in your wake. Mine told me he thought he needed to ride twice next week - a trail ride wasnt enough. He wanted his lesson as well.
How many lessons has your OH had?
Will he ride too, a year from now?
Do you think our partners will learn much faster than we did? Because you and I went first and found the right school and got the knowledge from books and from NR?

[horseygirl123]

Isnt it just great to see your own progress, after watching your first canter video I just HAD to have a look back on my first one, and wow in comparison you look SO much better than I did, I was leaning back, reins totally slipped through my hands and was wobbling and bouncing around everywhere!!

Well done on your progress, you look great on ging :D

[NoviceNic]

:D :D I can ride a horse! :D :D



The whole of this thread has bought a tear to my eye. Its amazing how good horses make us feel....;) :D

[coverblown]

Lovely thread RM, your position is fantastic, and in your first canter too. You have learned LOADS in a year, well done x

[Clare-22]

What a fantastic record of your progress :D

I thought your first canter was really good you looked very secure, I was rocking in my office chair riding the transition with you!

[RustyMary]

So what I really wanted to say (and hasn't it taken me ages!) is that after a year I've achieved my goal:

:D :D I can ride a horse! :D :D



What am I saying? This is far more than a goal - it's been a lifetime's longing and ambition! It was so lovely to put this thread together and share my progress with you. Thank you all for the lovely and supportive comments - not only now, but through all the time I've been on NR - I've learned so much on here and feel so supported by my cyber-friends!

skib - an interesting point about OH - I think he will progress quicker on the back of my experience, definitely. He's only had a handful of lessons so far, and isn't having them very regularly yet - however he is just starting to trot, and I think he's going to find things get a lot more interesting from now on - I'll keep you posted!