My First REAL Riding Lesson!

[Vina]

Hi, I'm a 34 year old gal who is finally going to take a riding lesson, and would appreciate some tips. I attended a summer riding camp for a week when I was a kid, and have went on a couple of trail rides (so you just basically sat there--the horses pretty much just followed the trail like robots), so it's safe to say I still have no riding experience! Does anyone have any info that might be helpful in making my first lesson a happy experience, for horse and myself? Thanks!

[Concorde]

DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED!! Everyone has bad days, and good days, and some of us just don't work hard enough.

You have to be willing to give it a second, third, oh, what's a little more? Tenth try.

You can't get down on yourself because you've had a dismount of speed, or you don't learn something right away.

You have to keep at it. If you actually want to compete, then you'll have to put forth a lot more effort and understanding into all your lessons; more so than say, a person who just wants the exersize of having a horse or pony.

But one thing that a lot of people do, is that they will not accept failure. I know this, because I have a terrible time giving up on anything, be it a horse or a student who won't do as they are told.

You have to take it all in stride--litally, and you must keep your chin up, and give your 115% of your effort.

I think that you should have fun mostly. When it's not fun any more, then you should stop, it will result in sour people.

But do try all the fruits of the riding culture. :)

[allison]

Hi
I didn't start riding until I was 30 so I understand just how you feel, you will have days when nothing goes right but do not give up. Make sure you have a good instructor I once had one who was very sarcastic all the time, I was going to give up but then thought "I am paying for this" so I pointed out her faults to her and went elsewhere and have enjoyed all lessons since then. The instructor is the most important thing in taking lessons. Good luck
allison

[Vina]

Thanks a bunch for the advice. The lady who owns the stable, plus her daughter, are great people, so I should have no problems in that regard. I used to volunteer for her---she also runs a riding program for the disabled---so she has lots of patience and yet is firm. Walking beside a horse, however, and riding one, are totally different things! Wish me luck! **S**