Lesson Six

[MadMumInKent]

I had a different instructor today, and rather than use the indoor school, we used the outside one. Thing is, my lessons while the kids are off school are at 8.30am, and the whole getting out of bed, getting washed and putting mascara on then going out to canter around in the wind at that time of the morning makes my eyes stream! Poor instructor probably thought they were tears of fear, so I thought I'd better explain what the wind does to me at that time of the morning! ;)

Anyway, the lesson was OK. It was one of those days where I felt I am such a bad rider and left me wondering if I'll ever get there. Nothing really bad happened, no major hiccups, so I dont know why I felt like that. Anyway, this instructor wasn't aware that previously I've only cantered straight up the school, for a few paces, before going back to trot, and she had me cantering around the whole school, cantering in 20m circles etc and it was great! :D I loved it, and keeping the canter going for so much longer meant I had time to concentrate on where all my body parts were and what they were doing!

What I really find myself wishing for now though is being able to get on Liquorice and have an hour or so to myself in the school so I can take myself though the paces and concentrate on things that I find hard, rather than being told when to trot, walk, canter etc. I suppose this is just a natural progression in the need for my own horse :D

Thanks for reading... next lesson Friday morning....

Jo

[Justie B52]

Sounds like you had fun today :) I bet you looked great with mascara streaks down your face! LOL :D :eek: You're very brave riding that early, my brain doesn't function before 9.00am, anything before that is purely auto pilot ;)

Good luck with Friday's lesson too.

Cheers

Justie

[karebeth]

Another great lesson! That's wonderful. I had to smile when I read about the mascara. I have had the same thing happen to me. I thought I was the only one who applies mascara before riding! Look forward to hearing about your next lesson.

~Karen

[Pickles]

Sounds like your progressing quick if that's your sixth leson, soon you'll be sailing over 4 foot jumps!

[laura jeanne]

Madmum,

The good thing about having a blah lesson is that the next one will probably make you feel great.

I, too, would love to get into the arena with no teacher there telling me what to do and just practice the things I'd like to work on. I don't think she would go for it though. OH and I leased 2 horses from her for a month last year and she charged us so much that I think she was just trying to discourage us from leasing.

Last year, I got my eyelashes dyed. It cost $20 and lasted a few weeks. It is just like having your hair dyed they say. I'd like to do it again 'cause I can't see to put on mascara without my glasses! And anyway, who says women have to wear mascara - ugh, I hate it.

[Alle]

Anyway, the lesson was OK. It was one of those days where I felt I am such a bad rider and left me wondering if I'll ever get there.


Those feelings will creep in every now and then...just remember, you are on your 6th lesson! You'll be fine. Besides, you got to do all that cantering, so no way should you be feeling you are 'such a bad rider'. You are not a bad rider at all...you're doing great! :)

[MadMumInKent]

Alle - thanks for the vote of confidence :) I know its early days yet. This is a long term thing, and it just needs practice... I just like to do things right, and I'm an impatient cow too ;)

Laura Jeanne - You're right, I found that last week - I had one lesson where things just didnt come together, and after that the following one was a huge success :) I've heard that having your eyelashes dyed is really good, especially for the summer when you're on the beach and stuff, much more practical. I'm such a tart though, I don't go out the door without my make up in full and proper place ;) Don't want to scare the horses ;)

Pickles - Only 4 ft high? ;) Jumping was one thing I never got into when I was younger, and I have to say that I'm quite looking forward to doing some little jumps one day (little = ooooooo about a foot high I reckon) ;)

Karebeth - Glad its not just me :D

Justie - Thanks! :) I'm really looking forward to hearing about your lesson tomorrow too!

[karebeth]

I think you are doing a fantastic job with your lessons. So far, I have only trotted the 20 m circles. I hope to canter them one day. Still laughing about the make up. It is nice to know I'm not alone!

Enjoy your posts so much!

[Wobblydeb]

:D Tarts! The lot of you!! :D

My instructor is lucky if I run a brush through my hair. In fact last week Wrigglycob got more grooming in one afternoon than I see in a month! :p

Good for you on the cantering. My last lesson was a laugh for cantering. Wrigglycob kept deciding trot was too difficult and heading off into canter - and I actually found it easier than when I deliberately ASK for canter - so we went whizzing around the school a bit :) However I did have a couple of wobbly moments, and learnt a valuable lesson - turn your head in the direction you are heading and you are more likely to stay on :D

[*Rachel_George*]

Yay.

Just found this thread...aww...glad you had such a good time...hmm I remember having to ride at 6.30am once which meant I was there at 5am to catch and groom...riding school decided the first class had to start at 6.30am so they could fit all the rest in...lets say I was half aslepp...I never want to do that again.

Glad you had fun and cant wait for the update on your lesson on fri :D

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[momofsix]

I think you are doing great! I really feel I can relate. I usually take my lessons in the later afternoon, when my OH or older daughter can watch the little ones. I am also taking a lesson on Friday. I just found a British instructor that I just love, it's my second lesson with her. I live in Northern Ca and just hearing her talk reminds me of the instructors I had growing up in Europe. I totally understand wanting to lease a horse of your own. I just began leasing last Monday and have been riding almost every day and I really enjoy trying things at my own pace (though I am still nervous about nobody telling me what to do)

[MadMumInKent]

Wobblydeb - I think that must be one of the most common things I hear during my lessons - "look where you're going!" :D Sounds like you're having a whale of a time with Wrigglycob :)

Thanks Rachel :) Its nice to know that people are interested in my threads... I sometimes feel all I do it talk about myself, but I don't feel experienced enough yet to butt in on other threads and offer advice. One day though :)

MomofSix - You must be having a great time! :) Are there any pics of your horse that I may have missed? These days its my morning ritual to go through all the classifieds and horsey sites looking for one to loan, but the ones that are near to me are not quite right (needs experienced rider...) or the ones that are perfect are too far away :( It'll happen when the time is right though.

[NoviceNic]

Mad Mum - How come you have the time to put mascara on. :p I drag myself out of bed, straight into stinky clothes from day before and go and spend all day with my horses. :D Someone actually said to me today "You smell nice". The funny thing is I had to go to Doctors so spruced up. Normally I live in my jodphurs. Smelling of horses all day. But I tell you what I wouldn't change a thing. I know what you mean about talking about horses all day and nobody else interested. I first met Captain last August and ever since I have had him he is all I talk about. My OH gets very peeved off about it. But he knows I love him as well. Just for once I am more than just a wife and Mum. I have my own time now. 12hrs/7 days with horses :D Sounds as though you are really enjoying your lessons. I am hoping to resume mine now the weather is getting better. I have been jumping this week. Nothing big only about 1 3/4 ft. Can't wait to go to some Local Shows. Everyone knows Captain so I am hoping to get a lot of support when I enter "Best Tail".....................

[Jinete789]

I'm with wobblydeb - can't see the point of brushing my hair before a lesson if I'm going to stick a hat on - unfortunately I usually have to pop into the garage on the one hour drive to my lesson so do get a few odd looks but hey :cool:

Seriously though madmum why don't you ask your instructor if he/she will just leave you alone to do your own thing on some lessons, just making comments rather than telling you what to do next.

I find this really useful sometimes, partly because I can pretend the horse is mine, and partly because I can feel for myself when the horse is listening to me, ask for canter/rein back etc in different places so she dosn't anticipate it and take the baby jumps when I feel she is together.

Sounds as though your lessons are going brilliantly by the way - by lesson six I was barely cantering at all!