Quite nervous

[Angel155]

I have been having lessons since June last year and am coming on OK, However I haven't ridden since July 20th as we have moved from Cyprus to Germany. I have finally been able to sort out lessons after sorting out house etc and have my first on Tuesday. I am really nervous.......what if I have forgotten everything?

[Imp]

I'm hoping its like swimming or riding a bike because I haven't ridden for about 4 months due to an accident (car crash, not horse related). :D

Everybody says as much and I'm sure once you're back in the saddle and used to your mount it will all go brilliantly. I know what you mean about nerves though, I get butterflys when I think I'm getting near fit to ride again :eek:

[Trewsers]

Don't worry, you're doing it to enjoy! A good teacher won't bother about what you can't do - they'll focus on what you can do and work on that - anyway, I'm sure once you get settled and into a regular routine of lessons it will all come back! good luck and enjoy.

[RobaDob]

just go out and try it, you only live once, plus you never know, you could be the star in the group :cool:

have fun and good luck, no need to be nervous if you have ridden before you know exactly what your doing!enjoy it dont be scared.:)

xx HB xx

[summerguest]

uprooting home and moving house to a different country must be daunting!
sounds like that was handled well...surely a riding lesson is small fry compared to that! I'm sure you will enjoy it once on board....I always get nervous before mounting a new horse anyway. I would just explain my nerves to the new RI and hopefully she will be lovely and put you at ease.

[BeachRiding]

I am sure you will be fine! Don't worry if you have forgotten something, just take it slow in the first few lessons and don't ecpect too much of yourself.

[Angel155]

uprooting home and moving house to a different country must be daunting!

I have been moving around since 1991, the joys of being an Army wife :rolleyes:

[Skib]

I have a friend, the wife of a UK diplomat, who rode in lots of posts including Germany.
You may find small things are done in a different way in Germany from in Cyprus or in the UK and the explanation of why things are done may be different too. In case no one has told you, the good news is that the riding handbook of the German Equestrian Federation has been translated into English. "The principles of riding" - The official instruction handbook for the German National Equestrian Federation. Provides a complete basic instruction course for horse and rider using the German training system. " If you cant get it via Amazon, it is listed on the BHS website.
Or you could buy it in German?

As for forgetting, you 'll be fine. You may stiffen up physically after a break and take a week or two to get back to where you were. But riding is something you dont forget. I always think that if I dont do something all winter, I will forget how by next summer. But it seems that one doesnt.

Germany is a top equestrian nation at the moment and the French boys who work at our UK yard in summer tell me that in France everyone wants to learn to ride from a German. So we shall all envy you. And look forward to reports.

[Angel155]

Thanks for the advice Skib. However, I will be riding at a Saddle Club on a British Army camp, as I did in Cyprus.............so luckily no language barriers. I do agree though that every instructor has a different way of teaching.

[Angel155]

Well............................that went FANTASTIC. Rode a gorgeous dark bay gelding called William. I was nervous before I mounted but the minute I was on it was as if I had never been away. RI said that she would take it easy with me this week and the other rider in the lesson had had a bit of a confidence wibble recently. We did a lot of trot work, extending and collecting, Will was absolutely brilliant, very responsive to my aids. We then did a canter on each rein just so I could get a feel of that pace with him. That was great too, he really lifts off into canter, and I could sit really well to it. Today was also the first time I had ever ridden in an indoor school.

Can't wait now until next weeks lesson :D :D