My 1st fall

[FRED]

:eek: it had to happen, although its taken 3 and half years and heaven knows how many hours ridding, {members here don't count getting snagged on western saddle horn:o while dissmounting as a fall...grrr;) }

Well we had set of in canter in the great outdoors on the Chase and I was on Meg {who its said of, is a nice gentlemans hunter type}, she is ace and quick.
Anyway, in the bat of an eye lid the horse in front was totaly side ways and Meg and I didn't have much place to stop,we had kept a distance and it seems odd this was our downfall because we got going!So nearly stayed on, but feet out of stirupps, kept one hand on the reins till thump thump on the ground:rolleyes: and then I let go.
Well im oksort of,was fine and got back on, did all the right things I think and nothing the back man can't sort out.
Its odd how you feel worse tomorow and do;)
So wheres my champaigne?
:D

[KarinUS]

Oh you were overdue and you know it! ;)

Here's some bubbly for your first fall! :D

[Miriam]

No being caught on western horn certainly does not count. I know I am very careful now when dismounting a western saddle :D

Here's your champagnhttp://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/party/juul.gife

In fact lets have a party http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/party/party.gif

[Dizzy]

3 and half years before you're first fall - that must be a record!

And getting snagged on a western saddle definitely doesn't count, I got snagged with an underwired bra, luckily the back hooks gave, my under arms had the equivalent of carpet burns, and luckily Breeze is such an unflappable soul, as I don't suffer pain quietly:o

You always feel worse the next day (or 2) but the bubbly will help, especially if you drink it in a good hot bath ;)

[sallym]

Congratulations! Only 6 to go...

I'm glad you weren't hurt.

Best wishes

Sally

[Laetitia]

Oh dear Fred, another record bites the dust!
Glad you weren't hurt. Sorry no champers, but nice bit of mustard for your bath. L

[Tor&Warrior]

3 and a half years:eek: You were well overdue:D Glad you rok though!!:D

[chev]

Had to happen in the end! Glad you're ok though...

I think I went about that long before I didn't fall off! :D

[tubby]

Nice one Chev:D:D Oh Fred the object of the exercise is to keep the horse between you & the floor. Hope you don't walk oddly for long.:D:D:D

[FRED]

looks like we need more champaigne for the party:)

Anyway, Im sure I remembered everything to do from what ive read/been taught{thanks guys}, got those arms and legs tucked in while falling.Ground was soft.
I wasn't sure that I should release the reins, but think it was best to do, given my lack of this experience.The boss was happy I did.
The other thing, and its not always easy to remember when things happen so quickly,keep your hands low ,this will help your balance{;) I so nearly saved the day}but for those high hands.
Because it looked like there maybe a collision,Meg lifted her head real high, I knew what to do..but did the wrong thing:o
never do I stop learning.

Here is the best photo I have of Megan, she is a wonderfull horse and will canter from the bottom of the valleys to the top with me and you won't hear her puff for breath,not for one second, she is amazing and she will love people like they love her too.
If I were 27 years younger I would love a horse like Meg to be a showjumper, but thats to far distant a dream now.
Megan and Luke{who is training to be a farrier and works at the yard}in the photo.
By the way,when we got into the valley,Meg and I led the riders for a short while:cool: and it was just brilliant watching Megs ears rotate listening and checking out every sound because she was leading.
Thanks guys:D

[Scarlett 001]

Glad you managed to not get hurt! Wow, you are brave. Falls and spooks leave me shaken and with new fears to overcome - you sound like you are just fine!!! Amazing.

I'll raise my pretend glass of champagne to you for a toast!!!

[floppy]

well done! but over here it's bake a cake and bring a crate of beer (24 bottles) :D

[kedwards]

Yikes, after over 3 years, it's about time you fell. I'll raise a glass!

Megan certainly is gorgeous!

[Bobbi77]

Quick question - as I havent ridden for 20 years - do falls I had when I rode as a teen count or do I need to start the count again? :) :)

Bobbi

[FRED]

Well I would say they do count, if you can read Heathers book im sure you will learn how to sit tall and well balanced, its always worth while using a seat saver for lots of reasons, all good:)
I have had some moments and I know what has saved me from many a daft slip;) reading Heathers book and using a seat saver.

Floppy,you guys know sure know how to party!

[HairyCob]

Congratulations Fred!! At Last! I was pretty sure it had to happen sooner or later, but I was beginning to wonder if it ever would!:D ;)

Sure the champagne and 24 bottles of beer will help, but I'd like to offer our idea of a celebratory drink *hands over vast quantities of scrapino*:p

(Scrapino is an italian 'cocktail' which consists of large quantities of vodka, whisked into large quantities of lemon sorbet, until smooth, to which large quantities of champagne are added.... drink from a tall glass with fresh strawberries whilst sitting down!;) )

[Janette]

Hope a visit to the 'backman' wasn't necessary:D

Dizzy, I've done the 'getting your bra wires causght' trick as well. My dad thought it was hysterical;)

[mikka]

Hip hip ho.... uh, maybe not.

Still love you, Fred, even with all that dust in your mouth.

[FRED]

:) I did visit the backman because there was a delayed reaction.
Anyway, I never mind the odd double;) just twice a week of course!HC your a bad influence { }
Well I haven't been able to go ridding since because I needed to be with my black lab miss Sally at home who was nearly 14 and now this weekend a tree has decided its going to fall over in my garden.
Well the folk round here will be happy for miles around because the biggest elder berry tree in Staffs is gone{the tree guy has never seen an elder like it,} the starlings will sure miss their summer feast.
:)

[Tommy Matterson]

Congratulations on your fall. Another 5 to go before you're a proper rider (at least that's what I have been told).

Out of interest do you jump? I am approaching my first anniversary of riding and took up jumping a few weeks back. I still feel pretty secure in the saddle but there are certainly a few more dodgy moments. Technically my instructor says I have still to experience my first fall - however I have had one tactical dismount and once incident where my mount slipped over taking me with her. That was quite exciting! Being horizontal in the mud whilst still astride (thank God it was muddy so my leg could sink into the sludge, and we were both OK).

[FRED]

7 is my lucky number, so only five to go and I will be a proper rider
[ I still think a clumbsy dissmount from a western saddle counts:D thank goodness we don't wear those bra thingys that get snaged Tommy ]

Anyway, sadly I have never tried jumping, but its a sport I love watching.
Maybe one day,{ my business partner is in hopes that if I do,its when im retired:D }
I think with horse its more a matter of when it will happen because things will happen, no matter what, but hopefully not to often, thats down to us for the most part;) I think its good to think about what to do before a 'suprise' happens, because when it does you learn a lot more.
Had I been ridding Sophie she would have been very happy to have gone past the horse who was sideways{and right proud about it too}but with Meg she doesn't like being faced by another horse, so she stopped and swerved,anyway,she is amazing horse too :cool:
Anyway I know there are horses who will be as gentle as a lamb should you get stuck,there amazing.

[Tommy Matterson]

Ah well. See. I am always stuck. I ride three different horses and they are all different. It takes time to adjust to their styles. I may ride one for three weeks and then swap to another. Bob is the most sensible and seems to respond to what you want him to do, whether you think you have given him the right aids or not. Flint is the best hack because he gets so excited. Stares out cows. bucks before canter/gallop (we follow routes that the horses know inside out hence being able to predict the gallop).

Incidentally, you don't wear a bra? Get with it man.

[FRED]

Today I rode Megan again:cool: No nerves or looking back, just remembered the important things learnt from the past.
She did a little squeal before our 1st canter, she loves em.

[KarinUS]

That's very cute. DJ loves the canters in the open field as well. Glad to hear you weren't affected by the fall at all!

[larri]

Awww Fred I missed this post first time round, hope you're OK now, and well if you want any more practice at falling off come and have a little play on Safi...I average one a week at the mo!:eek:

[FRED]

I forgot to tell this about Staturdays adventure, we happened across about 20 army cadets in the valley and Megan was alarmed:eek:
Their instructor said to the cadets 'all kneel on one keee!' at the side of the track,and they did, but still Meg she was alarmed{very choosey ;)type? }and didn't want to go past:o
So we needed to use plan'B',follow a guide horses rear:D
Such horsemanship never fails....

Good luck with Safi Larri:)
and good luck with your new barn karin

[lizzy]

Fred,

Were they in camaflage kit? As a rider at an army camp, we find a lot of horses spook at the sight of a man in uniform:eek:

We think that their eyes are confused by the camaflage - I think that's spelt wrong, but you know what I mean - and only the Cav Blacks are the ones that aren't alarmed by marching squads, horses hate them, Challenger 2 tanks they can live with, marching men, I think not!!!!!!

[FRED]

:) yep they were in camaflauge, only two horse were a little bothered.
No challenger tanks round here thankgoodness, but lots of chain saws and massive tractors in the forests..or of whats being left of the forests.

[tubby]

Poor horse wouldn't like people kneeling down probably Fred , they tend to feel that people should be upright & as for camouflage it's obvious they're lying in wait for unwary horses to jump on 'em & eat 'em:D:D

[Laetitia]

That's when it comes in handy to put your bra' on Fred, confound the Cadets. L

[FRED]

:D
Well, plan double D we will call that one L...

[adelaideappy]

I have to agree with the others Fred you were definetly overdue for a fall. I'm glad to hear your ok and no serious damage was done to horse or rider. Getting snagged on a western horn definetly doesnt count, I'm another who has done that trick and destroyed a perfectly good bra in the process lol. Take Care:-)