Hello from Moscow!

[stormchaser]

Hi everyone! I've been reading this site for some time, and finally got my gear and tracked down a riding school near my apartment in the wonderful city of Moscow, Russia. I promise I'll let y'all know how it all goes tomorrow!

Anyway, finding info and buying gear was pretty much half the fun already. :)

There are lots of good deals out there in Moscow (or Moscow region) if you don't require English-speaking instructors (prices per hour start from about 150 rubles). That's the scary part--everything's going to be in Russian! My language skills are good enough to buy myself short boots, half-chaps, breeches, helmet and gloves, but not sure if I'll fully understand the lessons with horsey terms! Wish me good luck I guess. :D

[KarinUS]

I have no idea how what the exchange rate fro rubles is! :o
But I hope you have a fabulous time... and YES- buying the equipment is half the fun. In fact I hardly ever buy people clothes. Shopping for the horses is much more fun. :)

[laura jeanne]

A little over $5.00?? According to online currency converter. Doesn't seem right.

[kedwards]

It sounds like quite an adventure! What brought you to Moscow?

[stormchaser]

Ok, as promised, about my first lesson.

Currency: US$1 = 28RUR.

I paid 400RUR for this lesson, 1 1/2h (2 academic hours) long. Some folks require an English-speaking instructor. So far I only know one guy who gives lessons in English and charges US$30 per academic hour (45 min) which I can't afford.

Anyway my instructor and the horse--who both don't understand a word of English, were both very patient and kind, and I learnt the Russian words for walk, trot, canter and gallop, as well as 'toes behind your knee', 'sit straight', 'sit, stand sit...' '1, 2, 1, 2...' etc. :) very fast. I think riding at a local school is a geat way to learn some new words and phrases too. :D Today was more like a refresher lesson on all the basics and the rising trot. Everything went great and my instructor was happy with me so far.

If you ever decide to come to Moscow, you can find a list of riding clubs here:
http://eng.moscowout.ru/ (search 'horse' or 'riding'). I ride at 'White Horse' http://www.belaya-loshad.ru/ just outside the city. You can see some photos there. They organize ice-fishing too!

Hope spring will come soon, then we can ride outside. Today was -8 deg C outside. We rode in a covered arena today, and in a jacket, I was fine.

Can't wait till next lesson! :)

[jtalgra]

wow its so hard to imagin this..im sitting at my desk and its 30deg cel in a singlet top thinking ill ride much later when it cools down :D its just amasing. :cool:

[stormchaser]

Whew! Winter finally decided to quit! Now it's a blamy 18 deg C! :)

2nd lesson went well. Basically polished up the rising trot and somehow I managed to calm my fidgety hands that, in the 1st lesson, were wandering from grabbing the mane, saddle pomnnel, blanket etc... ! :o

My instructor's horsie's sick the other day and 3rd lesson last week was called off. :( And it rained all day yesterday, just like most of last week. The last straw came when I arrived at the office this Friday, someone decided to take off with my only umbrella! If it was going to rain this weekend that idiot is going to get a good whack from it! :mad: