My confidence has taken a bit of a battering over the last 3 years - first because of the heart attack which meant although I could ride, my stamina was severely reduced to the point that even 5 minutes of rising trot left me breathless. This improved over a year or so but there was no way I felt like cantering.
Then just over a year ago I had a fall from Scully when she double bucked in trot which put me in hospital for a few days and a few weeks out of the saddle. Even trot had me worried but slowly with the tremendous support of the owners and staff of Il Paretaio not only was I able to cope with trot on steady Ivoire but I progressed onto different, more forward horses, culminating a couple of months ago with riding Zara, a pretty forward horse.
The first ride I had on her started by scaring me as she shot off in a powerful fast walk but with guidance I learnt to soften her and control her speed - both walk and trot seemed effortless for her and comfortable for me. On my latest visit she gave me so much confidence that I actually wanted to canter - not her but my dear old Ivoire who I last cantered the day before my heart attack!
So it was that my last ride before coming home this week was on Ivoire and we worked on his energy so that when I asked for the canter we only had one false start. The canters were only for a few paces, maybe a long side's worth, but we cantered a few times on each rein. The feeling was great, I felt secure in the saddle and it left me determined to repeat the experience on my next visit in July and to get him cantering complete circuits of the school.
Confidence is fragile and I am sure that I owe a great deal to Cristina at Il Paretaio for restoring mine. I can't recommend the place highly enough for anyone who has confidence issues or who just wants a fabulous holiday in Tuscany with beautiful horses and skillful trainers, not to mention the Chianti and the food!
And for the photo junkies on here - a photo of me cantering Ivoire a few years ago - I'll have to get some new ones!
Then just over a year ago I had a fall from Scully when she double bucked in trot which put me in hospital for a few days and a few weeks out of the saddle. Even trot had me worried but slowly with the tremendous support of the owners and staff of Il Paretaio not only was I able to cope with trot on steady Ivoire but I progressed onto different, more forward horses, culminating a couple of months ago with riding Zara, a pretty forward horse.
The first ride I had on her started by scaring me as she shot off in a powerful fast walk but with guidance I learnt to soften her and control her speed - both walk and trot seemed effortless for her and comfortable for me. On my latest visit she gave me so much confidence that I actually wanted to canter - not her but my dear old Ivoire who I last cantered the day before my heart attack!
So it was that my last ride before coming home this week was on Ivoire and we worked on his energy so that when I asked for the canter we only had one false start. The canters were only for a few paces, maybe a long side's worth, but we cantered a few times on each rein. The feeling was great, I felt secure in the saddle and it left me determined to repeat the experience on my next visit in July and to get him cantering complete circuits of the school.
Confidence is fragile and I am sure that I owe a great deal to Cristina at Il Paretaio for restoring mine. I can't recommend the place highly enough for anyone who has confidence issues or who just wants a fabulous holiday in Tuscany with beautiful horses and skillful trainers, not to mention the Chianti and the food!
And for the photo junkies on here - a photo of me cantering Ivoire a few years ago - I'll have to get some new ones!