Annual Horse Show 2013

When I started riding again, my dream was to become a competitive rider and be able to participate in the prestigious Annual Horse Show. To be in the same field with those caliber riders and horses...that would be awesome! Never had the privilege of watching one but was able to catch it yesterday. Didn't know if it's only by invitation or you had to be a member or if they would allow "walk ins" or outsiders. Never heard from my instructor but good thing this wonderful lady, Karen, was very kind enough and assured me that anyone could watch.

The weather was hot. Imagine how hot it must have been for the riders wearing their coats. They looked very smart, though. I also noticed that all competitors were females, except for one. This is a dangerous sport, yet, all were women. Brave, I tell ya :)

Speaking of dangerous, there were 2 girls that fell off the horse. The other one fell pretty bad as she didn't get up and was placed on a stretcher. Although we could hear the people around her sounding more relaxed, I think she was fine but still needed to be taken to the hospital to be checked. What a brave girl. What brave parents, too, to watch their daughter fall off like that.

All in all, we had a good time. So entertaining to watch and you learn a lot, especially when you hear the riders' coaches continuously coaching them as they rode...."lean back, more leg, more left leg...etc" and the crowd egging them on. Such support!

Till next season.

Moving Up 2013

Congratulations to all graduates of School Year 2013 :o)

Birthday Boy!

Ain't no birthday without a (cup)cake and candle :o)

Riding crossroads

When I started riding, I've had my heart set in show jumping. Watching it, either on TV or during a show, is really exciting. You read horse quotes that the feeling of going over jumps is the closest to actually flying. I kid you not but this is true. 

My lessons have focused on flat works after the refusal incident (as I previously posted). It's been very helpful and I have been enjoying it, though I am totally sore from all those sitting trots and posting trots without stirrups. Sit deep, sit deep, sit deep. Imagine how sore I was afterwards but I'm sure it did wonders to getting me toned and fit :o)

Then I was asked, would I prefer to do dressage instead? It's an option, but it never crossed my mind. I have nothing against dressage. I don't think it's any less exciting as jumping. The movement of the horse is dependent on how the rider will get him/her to change gaits effectively with precision. You must have the perfect form. That ain't me. I'm not exactly that type of a rider, though I strive to be. Feeling the right lead is still a problem for me. I need to look to check rather than feel. I don't think I'd be graceful in the ring and my circles might look like ovals or whatever.

At least in jumping, I won't need to look so put together (if that's a good way of describing it). But that's the problem. All my confidence going over jumps seemed to have vanished and Trojan feels it when I get tensed. Or I get tensed because she gets excited. I need to work on this.

So for now, I will be open minded about dressage. Who knows, right?

V on Max - Dressage Clinic with Grand Prix Rider Guillaume Ducos

Matt on Woody. Not sure if he was pretending to be holding a polo stick.

Toni's turn