This week I wasn't able to ride as much as I would have liked to. It's hard to find rides out to the barn when both of my parents are working so much. The two times I did ride, however, were very good. I definitely feel like I'm getting more of a connection with him. I was very skeptical at first... we were off to a rocky start when my first week leasing him he tripped and fell, and took me down with him. I refused to get back on him for a week, and just joined up with him. That helped a little, but I still was skeptical. I've never felt like I can completely trust a horse, whenever I've tried something has gone wrong. I don't think you really ever can completely trust them... they're 1,000 pound plus animals, that have a flight mode programmed into their brains. It is important to have some faith in them, and hope that they wouldn't try to hurt you, and most don't want to.
After I went to a clinic at the barn I had all sorts of emotions running through my mind. I was jealous of my friend who had brought her horse there, and was able to have this amazing lesson. I was happy for her, and really glad she was trying new things, but I couldn't help wallowing in my self-pitty. After an encouraging talk with my old instructor I decided in order to be able to do what I've watched all of my friends do my whole riding career (show, go to clinics etc.) I have to work for it. I made up my mind that I was going to get over my fear and get back on him. When I did, the first ride was reasonable... there were many things I wanted to improve, but I was mainly happy I did not fall off and he listened alright. Over the next few weeks I started keeping track of my good rides and bad rides. Pathetic, I know. I was being a Negative Nelly about it, trying my hardest to convince my mom I needed a horse of my own. As much as she wanted to get me one, she decided I needed a job first. Which is very convenient seeing how I will be 16 in two weeks and will be able to get my license, followed by a car.
It has now been a little over a month sense I started leasing him, and having weekly lessons with Robyn. I have stopped keeping track of the good and bad days, because now they're pretty much all good! I don't drive out to the barn now wondering how the ride is going to be, thinking of all of the horrible things that are going to happen. I go out hoping for the best, and all of my rides have been productive, fun, and a learning experience. Dru is a tourist, as Robyn says. He's in everyones business except his own. He looks around trying to keep track of everyone else, and attempting to ignore me. We have gotten much better with connection, and I'm not very afraid anymore, but he still acts like everything he sees in like looking at the Grand Cannon. Over all though I am very happy with our progress and fall more and more in love with him every time I ride. We've made it through March madness (I'm not talking about basketball :p ). We're learning about each other, and he's teaching me a ton!
Today I was talking to Robyn about the differences with him and other horses I've ridden in the past. He is trained to a higher level than me, which is something I've never had before. I said I felt like it's cheating, but she said it's what everyone should take advantage of if given the opportunity. His owner is showing him second 1, and I'll be doing training 2. He really showed me where I am as a rider. I wasn't sure exactly where I was... with Thumper and Chessie I started riding them at around training/intro, and brought them up with me to beginning first. I figured I was almost a first level rider, still working on some aspects of training. He told me point blank I'm training level, and have a lot to learn. Which is a good thing, because he can teach me a lot! I'm very excited! Especially with show season just around the corner. It feels great having everything you've always wanted. I've had a horse "crush" on him for a long time. I would watch his owner ride him at shows and dream about riding him. I've wanted this horse, at this barn, with this trainer, FOREVER! And it's all here, and I'm sooo happy!
So for today I worked on getting him rounder and his head down and relaxed more, which we've been doing for awhile. We're improving pretty well. I have an outside reign issue, we just don't get along, but that is improving. We did training 2, and we agreed it would be a good test to show. I asked some questions to clarify some lame things, that I probably should know, like where exactly is a horse supposed to halt at a letter? And the free walk/trot/canter and how specifically to give the reigns and what the judges are looking for. Over all if was a very good lesson and Dru was a very good boy!
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