Rode At Canock Chase

[SANDRA WAEISS]

Hello from America

I was in England after 45 years and my second cousin took me riding at Canock Chase. I hadn't ridden English in 30 years but I got on "Haddie". Seeing I will be 60 next June I figured I was too old but had dreams of riding in England once again. I had so much fun and was a little depressed to think I wouldn't be riding again.

My grandaughter Alison has been taking lessons for over a year. I have never been to see her ride because to me it is like watching someone eat a prime rib dinner and you can't have any. About six weeks ago my daughter asked me to got to a new stable with her. I watched Alison cantering around the arena and wished I was up on the horse. When the lesson was over I went to help her with the tack. All of a sudden I asked the instructor if I could join the class. She asked me if I had cantered and I had. I have been riding for five weeks and I am in my second childhood. I can't wait until Sunday .

Sandi from America

[Perdita]

Wow! Congratulations. I am so happy that you have got back into riding again, and it is giving you so much pleasure. I hope you continue to enjoy it for many years to come:) .Hope you had a nice time in england too....wish I was in America!

[SANDRA WAEISS]

Hello Perdita

I had a great time in England and I will be back in 2004. I hope to ride at Canock Chase again. Maybe next time I will go for an all day ride and stop to have dinner at the pub. Thank you for your kind words. Sandi

[Horsesforlife]

That is wonderful that you got back into riding!!! Good for you for talking to the instructor. Now you and your granddaughter can compare notes!;)
I would like to go to England someday. I was scheduled to go with my parents when I was younger, but at the time there was a lot of trouble over that way, and my mother decided that we would go to Hawaii instead. Still a good vacation, though. Someday...:rolleyes: For now I will get as close as I can with this site.
Keep us posted on how you do! Happy Trails!

[kedwards]

That's wonderful, Sandi! It must be a real kick for Allison to have you riding with her, as well as a joy for you to be riding again.

Welcome to the board.

[CityGirl]

Well done! Congrats on joining the class & going for what you really wanted! Please keep us posted on your progress & welcome back to the riding world.

[Tumbleweed]

Sandra, 59 too old to ride, NEVER, I was 60 last June, had my hip replaced a year ago and am back riding. There is a lady at the riding school I go to who is about 75 years old and still rides most days on her own horse.

[SANDRA WAEISS]

Hello Fred
I stand corrected. I knew I had spelled her name wrong after I sent the email. She was a black and white, mild mannered horse. I loved riding at Cannock Chase (I remembered how to spell it right) it is really pretty and the wild flowers are beautiful. I was there the begining of June.
I went for my riding lesson today. My grandaughter, Alison, and I were the only students riding. I wonder if the 24 degree weather had anything to do with it? My regular instructor was on vacation and a nice young girl named Lisa gave us our lesson. She asked me if there was a horse I preferred. I asked for Zues as I have ridden him three times before. To make a long story short. There were hunters in the area and he bolted whenever a gun went off. I managed to get him under control. I was afraid he was going to jump one of the jumps and I'm not ready for that YET. I had to keep talking to him to calm him down and manage to have a great lesson. We posted to fast and slow trot, did a sitting trot. a two point trot and cantered. Then a slow walk to cool the horses down. I really felt like I had an exciting day today. I can't wait until next Sunday but hope it is a little warmer.

[Linnie]

Sandra,

It sounds as if you had a fantastic time on Cannock Chase. I live only couple miles away from the Chase and some months ago my friend and I bought a trailer so that we could take our horses there for rides.
However, my friend's horse pulled a tendon the week after our purchase so that idea went out of the window for a few months.
He is better and back in full work now so we hope soon that our dreams will reach fruition.
If only I felt I could canter without holding on to my saddle.... but that's another story!
Best of luck with your riding - keep enjoying it, as my friend and I do (I'm 53, my friend is 65).

Linnie

[FRED]

Hi Sandi, rode Hattie's 7 yrs old son Pemba:) today. The Chase was freezing cold latter in the afternoon, you would not believe unless you seen...but a Stag joined the horses for a few minutes!and latter on a pack of Huskies! out training.
Here's Hattie moments before going out this afternoon, she still keeps a real watchfull eye out for Pemba and he's nearly twice her size!
:)

[Perdita]

Aah! Hattie is gorgeous Fred!! No wonder you enjoyed riding her Sandi:)

[SANDRA WAEISS]

Hello To All

Fred I love the photo of "Hattie". Thank you so much for sending it. I had some photos taken with her when I rode her. I sent them to my Aunt to put on the reunion web site and she gave them to my mother in Canada. When I get them back I will put them on the web site.

I had my lesson yesterday and rode Mr. T. He has a big white blaze like Hattie. He is really heavy and I had a problem posting. The saddle seemed strange and my legs kept getting tired. I thought it was old age but my daughter (who doesn't know the first thing about riding or horses) said I didn't look right on the horse. She said my legs looked weird. My foot kept slipping into the stirrup and had a hard time keeping it on the ball of my foot. He had a great canter. I felt like I was on a big rocking horse but I am sure I wasn't sitting right. My instructor was still on vacation. She had told me a while back that Mr. T wouldn't be right for me but I didn't want to give Zeus a try as he still seemed spooked. I have ridden a horse named Tom and I liked him. Maybe I will give him a try next time. There are no lessons next week because there is a horse show.

Happy riding everyone. Sandi

[FRED]

Maybe I could get a photo of Pemba and Tom his sire.Fingers crossed they will fit on the computer!! because they are tall.
I don't mind to admit there a handsom 3 some. I 1st rode Pemba when he was 6, Hattie is 12yrs old I have been told.
See what I can do at the weekend:)
I once saw Pemba picking up hay and passing it over to Hattie in her stable :)

[FRED]

Hope the lessons are going well. John known as Johnto took a friend along to the riding centre who had never ridden outside the school before, she to fell in love with Hattie too :)
This is picture of Tom, he's a charachter.

[SANDRA WAEISS]

I want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2003.

Sandi

[charm24]

Hey Fred
I went riding on Cannock Chase on Monday. When I went there I rode on Robbie. Could you possibly get a picture of Summer for me?
Jess

[SANDRA WAEISS]

Hello Fred
Hattie's son is a handsome guy like you said. Thank you for taking the time to put his photo on the message board for all to see.
My lesson last week didn't go very well. It was nearing the end of the lesson and Ali and I were the only students riding. We were cantering around the arena when all of a sudden Rocky bucked and I went off. He stopped suddenly and I was sitting on the ground with the reins still in my hand. I got back on right away as it was the first time I have ever been thrown and I have heard that is the thing to do. My ribs and stomach are still sore from the jolt. My daughter called to say they were going to their cottage this weekend to ski and Ali won't be able to go riding. I am glad as it will give me time to heal.

I wish everyone a happy new year and hope you had a nice Christmas.

Sandi

[FRED]

ouch! Hope you are fully recovered Sandi.Happy New Year.

OK,for Charm24, picture of Summer with my neice on board:)

[charm24]

thanks fred, wow i can't believe it she looks so small!:D do you know how tall she is? i thought she was about 14hh but she looks smaller on that picture!