A Wonderful Ginger Afternoon!

The other day, I was supposed to have a lesson on Honey... we've got our show coming up, but things with her just haven't been going as nicely as they were. I was starting to think we were going backwards rather than forwards, and so when Rahn came out, she had a look at Honey and we decided she really needed to have a stretch. The success to Rahn's babies is that she doesn't confine them to the paddock, they go out places, and do lots of varying things. However, I'm a nervous rider, and have no interest in galloping down a beach or hacking through a forest, it's a downfall I know, but it's who I am. So Charlotte was so kind to take Honey for a hoon around my paddock. It was thrilling to watch. She got the hang of it early on, she only disengaged on both reins once or twice but otherwise really understood, she's such a clever pony. Then Char schooled her after a bathtime break (hehe she got washed down with a rider on her back, now both my horses are good about that!) and to finish up, Char took her over some jumps for the first time.

I had added poles into our work awhile ago and was actually planning on jumping her this week or next, but I have to say having Char show me how she is over a fence only makes me more keen for it! She loved it, and Char's not the interfering type or doesn't have sucky jumping balance cos she's an event rider, whereas I haven't jumped in months lol. Honey is such a tidy wee girl for her first time jumping under saddle. Just lovely!

So I was all hyped up for a ride and unfortunately I didn't get to, but that was okay, it was interesting to see how Honey went for me.

I didn't realise however that I was going to be riding haha! We headed off to Rahn's and I was told I was riding King... Char wasn't going to let me say no... so I didn't. King is a lovely TB chestnut gelding of 17hh!! I felt so little on him, and so far from the ground haha! But my GOD is he wonderful!! Riding him really made me realise that I am getting better. King is a very well trained dressage horse, and is well practised in all three gaits. Therefore, since he can just do his thing, it left me enabled to fix myself and ride better than I normally do. I was able to use more leg, I was able to keep him forward without feeling my knee about to conk out, I cantered him and just thoroughly enjoyed my schooling session on him. I felt for the first time in ages, I actually could do well at riding, and that I am a good rider. And it's definitely boosted my confidence up. He was just what I needed, to understand that I have fixed so much about my riding and now am at a stage where I can start pushing myself a little more, with my schooling work on my own horses.

So go the gingers eh? Honey was flying, and so was I, on the back of such a lovely gelding. Let's hope things get better from here, and whenever I feel like I suck at riding, I'm going to think of the ride on King to remind myself that hey, I do know how to ride, and well!

Signing off as I best shower and head off for my play date with Megan!! Will probably be back on here tonight haha!

Chelle x