Oh My! I did it!!!!!!!! latest little unicorn update

[chapsi]

Hi Everybody,

I've got some news for you. Well, yesterday I got to the yard and Trumpy was being ridden by his former owner. Then my trainer invited me to ride him too. I took a deep breath and agreed...

Soon as I sat on him, he felt my nervousness and began to spin like the first time ... My trainer walked alongside us for a few meters, but Trumps walk is so fast forward that soon we were out of bounds.
I was tense, he was jogging, even went into passage. But we kept at it... Eventually, I got to relax a fair bit, we tried some trot, we did some lateral exercises....

My trainer comented that Trumps stops and stands still for me, which he doesn't for him. I think he knew, bless him:D I guess for the first time it wasn't bad.;)

Of course my riding position wasn't as perfect as I would have liked (mind you, I wasn't riding in my saddle), he wasn't on the bit, but what the heck. I did it, I had my first ride on Trumps and that's the important thing. The rest will come with time.

However, Trumps doesn't feel quite like the right horse for a nervous rider. He is very sensitive, forward going, very active. Whenever I wanted him to walk (he doesn't walk calmly, he marches), the Duracell batteries advert kept creeping up to my mind. If I ever master riding him, then I'll be able to ride anything that comes along.

In the end I got very nice comments. Trainer and former-owner say we look right, perfect for each other and very harmonious pair... must be our grey, wavy hair.

Still, overall I'm over the moon. Last night I turned a milestone with Trumps.:D

So now are the piccs to prove I did it. I feel a happy bunny.:D

Edited: just got hold of those picture in Photobucket!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b368/chapsi/Trunfo/post-31-1151018316.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b368/chapsi/Trunfo/post-31-1151018622.jpg

[cazrider]

You should be a happy bunny Chapsi!:D That's great.:D

[fitz]

He's beautiful! Good luck with him

[Dummer&Drummer]

you should feel very pleased with yourself :) beautiful horse

[Wally]

Oh well done, what a stunner of a horse.

[Sparklie]

Well done Chapsi :)
He is a lovely horse, totally gorgeous

[Little Dolphins]

You two look great together!:)

[Danyele]

Yay, Well done, be proud!!:D

[MadMumInKent]

Well done :) He is an absolute stunner!!

[Peace]

Oh, how wonderful!:) :)

Just look at that expression on his face - as though he's very proud to be entrusted with carrying his new mother! And those ears are just locked in your direction!

Quanah has quite a fast walk, too. In group lessons we always get a lap ahead of everyone else going around the school and eventually wind up at the back of the line again.:o But like Trumps he takes extra care with his mama.

You should be very proud of yourself. And your absolutely stunning boy!:D

[palmerlover52]

He's Stunning!!!!!
Well Done!

[neen]

Oh my -- he looks AMAZING.

Well done!

[Sarah-B]

Your horse is stunning!!

Now this isn't meant to start the old debate, it's a genuine observation - do you not think you would feel more confident if you wore a hat?

[BeachRiding]

What a stunner!Well done!

[caraid_alba]

hey well done :D what a good looking horse

[chapsi]

It's interesting, most people here and on another forum remarked that his ears are locked on me. They always are, and when I'm around him on the ground, he is always looking at me. We hit a good ground relationship from day one, despite the fact that he is still a young stallion.

Sara, I used to wear a hat all the time. After my biggest confidence crisis, I changed yards, to a professional dressage yard, and nobody there used hats. I gave up wearing it, mainly because I realised that I was conveying my mind the idea that riding was dangerous, therefore increasing my lack of confidence. However, I only ride in the sandschool, indoors and outdoors, but if I was steaping out of the sand, then I would put on a hat!

My current yard is a professional Working Equitation yard. Nobody wears hats here, only the children.
I ought to add that our traditional riding costume doesn't include hats either.

[Peace]

Wow, I didn't even notice you weren't wearing a hat.:o I guess that's because I almost never see anybody in real life wearing one either.:) Except for myself, aka queen of the chickens, and that doesn't count because I don't ride near mirrors. :D

[HairyCob]

Fabulous news MM! Well done you! I sincerely hope that this will be the start of a long and prosperous riding partnership for you both x

[Cochise]

I'm echoing HairyCob here who put it so well. :)
Beautiful horse too!

[SupaTania]

chapsi, i'd be interested in knowing where you ride? My parents immigrated from Portugal, and although I was born in the states, I speak fluent portuguese and have spent countless child-hood summers there. I am going there this summer actually, and would be quite interested in continuing lessons there, or just getting the odd ride in. Actually I'd be happy simply patting a horse!!

You can PM me, if you'd rather not post it publically.

[Whatanejit]

Wow what a beautiful boy!

You are very brave being a nervous rider and taking on a young stallion who is quite full of it.

As long as you are fully committed, keep your training and give him and you your best shot things should work out fine. If after 6 months they don't then it will lessen the guilt if you have to move him on.

Fingers crossed for you that he will make you into a better rider.

Thanks for the pics.

xx
Dee

[NoviceNic]

Sorry to copy what others have put but he really is a right stunner.

[chewitmonster]

Another copycat - what a stunner! :)

Sounds like a great partnership is forming :) xxx

[chickflick1066]

Chapsi, that is FAB news :D Trumps is a gorgeous horse. So pleased you are finally happy and confident (well, getting there :) )

[Cool Rider]

Well Done you must be so pleased
Trumps is really lovely :)