Woohoo! Freya cantered!

[chev]

She had her lesson yesterday, did some sitting trot and downward transitions... and then she cantered!

Instructor had her holding on to her saddle (although Freya looked a bit indignant about that) and Topper cantered on her command so Freya could just concentrate on learning what it feels like. I love watching kids with no fear (although watching other people's doesn't make me feel quite so trembly...) - she had the hugest grin the whole time.

The only minor problem was trying to communicate at higher speeds - poor instructor had to do a lot of running to make sure she was heard! :D

So, onwards and upwards... more canter next week. She's sitting very well without bouncing to trot now so it'll be interesting to see how long it takes her to st to canter. Main thing is, she's having a ball. :D :D

[Mehitabel]

marvellous news - go go freya!

[G.Gracious]

That's great news :D My first canter was when i was 6, by accident!! lol

This is a bit off-topic, but Freya is such a sweet name!!

[nat17]

Go freya! :D

[nutkin]

isn't it a wonderful feeling when they achieve something new.:D

[Bobbi77]

Glad you managed to get through the lesson without crying - it's scary watching your baby going round so fast isn't it?

I'm glad she enjoyed it - I can just picture her going round with a huge grin all over her face, my daughter does it too. It's great to see them really enjoying the experience without an ounce of fear!

Oh, to have that confidence back again!

There'll be no stopping her now!

Bobbi
xx

[G.Gracious]

My mum cried when she saw my first canter, not because she was scared or overjoyed, but because she knew that some time between within the next 10 years she'd have to buy me a horse!!! :p lol

She was hoping my riding was just going to be a stage which all little girls go through and that i'd grow out of it by the time i was 10....oh, how wrong she was :rolleyes: :D

[Mehitabel]

i remember my first canter vividly. my dad was watching, from behind some straw bales that sectioned off a makeshift 'viewing gallery' on one short side of the indoor school. i did the deed, came back to trot and walk and then he jumped up and whooped and applauded really loudly. (he is not horsey...) my pony promptly did a massive spook and charged off, depositing me at his feet round the first corner... :rolleyes:

[chev]

Lol Es :D :D

I don't actually remember my first canter... :( I do remember the first time OH cantered though. He'd tried really hard in lessons and because of his paralysed side just couldn't get there. So we took Birdie, a huge 15.1 cob we loaned, down on the beach one day and he gritted his teeth and said "chev, I'm going to canter. Catch the horse if I fall off" and disappeared off down Aberffraw sand... Returned slightly breathless ten minutes later and said he didn't know what all the big deal was about - he liked trot better!! :D His opinions on canter after that were "It's all hype!"

Bad news for me since when he went back to hacking I had to go back to following them round by car to rescue him from hedges. Birdie took advantage of his bad side and would park himself in the hedge to eat - OH could neither turn him, nor mount unaided if he got off to lead him out. Canters on the beach had a lot going for them! ;) :D

[kedwards]

It must have been wonderful watching Freya cantering around! Yay Freya!

The story of your OH is precious! "It's all hype," I love it! That definitely sounds like something Mr. Kedwards would say.

[Monty]

Or even a Mr Monty........he says, "if you don't want to do it.....don't LET her....just go slower!" Yes, darling, fine, I'll remember that ....just close the gate to this huge open meadow, so we don't end up on the road!
Good on Frey!!:D

[kyanya]

Woohoo, go Freya!

[chev]

Another lesson today... her trot is going really really well now - it's rare that she loses the rhythm when rising at all and her hands are light and low and still as long as she's not tired. She's steering much better now too - much more refined!

More cantering too, accompanied by Cheshire cat grin still! She hasn't quite got the strength or the hang of absorbing the movement yet - her whole body tends to go with it so she's going to be working on keeping her bum in the saddle next lesson.

They have Pony Club there next week, so no lesson for a fortnight, and because due to health problems i can't drive at the mo, she won't be riding at home either. Poor kid's already missing it! So fingers crossed for good weather next weekend so she gets out then at least - or my life will be hell... ;)