maya-m
17th Mar 2004, 09:49 PM
Sorry for the cheesy endorsement! :D :D
BUT, I just wanted to let people know that since first posting on here in - I think - January, I don't recognise myself as the novice with no contacts and no ideas of how to move on.
I was intimidated by awkward instructors, frustrated that many seemed not to be able to summon interest in my progress even just for the short period of time I was on their premises, unconfident of my own ability, and daunted by my lack of knowledge about horses in general, and too unconfident to ask questions and just pick people's brains about horses.
Since then, I've done lots of reading of everyone's thoughts and ideas on NR, and posted lots of questions here and on other forums, managed to meet up with one or two people in my area who I PM on a regular basis, read lots of magazines, have found 3 good riding schools near to where I live, and go to all of them for lessons(!), have met lots of different horses, joined a riding club (as horseless member!) and found a horse to hack out on through that! I've even done dressage writing for a judge at one of the riding club events, having never previously been to see a dressage competition!
I'm learning, one way and another, how to prepare and look after the horses. I'm going to shows, been to watch a bit of the hunt, taking part in as many ways as I can think of. I'm not afraid of talking to people now, about their riding, about their horses, asking questions, enjoying meeting the enormous range of different riders I meet every week.
I'm learning to canter, beginning even to jump now - I'm amazed, and horribly hooked. So much so that I now am doing too much riding, and am in danger of dire over-spend and neglecting every other part of my life!
If I do, by any chance, talk myself into buying (affording) a horse of my own, I have even, weirdly, found a nice place to keep him/her! I've met 6 Kaths and Kathy's through riding. What's that all about?
I feel very lucky to have met so many lovely riding people, and know that any problems I might have, have usually been had or heard about by the other people posting in the middle of the night on this forum. So take heart, any of you with little problems and difficulties. There's bound to be someone around here to help you work it out.
Happy riding all.
BUT, I just wanted to let people know that since first posting on here in - I think - January, I don't recognise myself as the novice with no contacts and no ideas of how to move on.
I was intimidated by awkward instructors, frustrated that many seemed not to be able to summon interest in my progress even just for the short period of time I was on their premises, unconfident of my own ability, and daunted by my lack of knowledge about horses in general, and too unconfident to ask questions and just pick people's brains about horses.
Since then, I've done lots of reading of everyone's thoughts and ideas on NR, and posted lots of questions here and on other forums, managed to meet up with one or two people in my area who I PM on a regular basis, read lots of magazines, have found 3 good riding schools near to where I live, and go to all of them for lessons(!), have met lots of different horses, joined a riding club (as horseless member!) and found a horse to hack out on through that! I've even done dressage writing for a judge at one of the riding club events, having never previously been to see a dressage competition!
I'm learning, one way and another, how to prepare and look after the horses. I'm going to shows, been to watch a bit of the hunt, taking part in as many ways as I can think of. I'm not afraid of talking to people now, about their riding, about their horses, asking questions, enjoying meeting the enormous range of different riders I meet every week.
I'm learning to canter, beginning even to jump now - I'm amazed, and horribly hooked. So much so that I now am doing too much riding, and am in danger of dire over-spend and neglecting every other part of my life!
If I do, by any chance, talk myself into buying (affording) a horse of my own, I have even, weirdly, found a nice place to keep him/her! I've met 6 Kaths and Kathy's through riding. What's that all about?
I feel very lucky to have met so many lovely riding people, and know that any problems I might have, have usually been had or heard about by the other people posting in the middle of the night on this forum. So take heart, any of you with little problems and difficulties. There's bound to be someone around here to help you work it out.
Happy riding all.