Not so Charming

I had just an OK lesson today. I was riding Bella. Another instructor at Lift Me Up was working with Charm to try to get her to accept side-walkers.

Unfortunately, I really missed Charm. I couldn't get comfortable on Bella. I was up in the middle of night with Claren, and my allergies are acting up, but I don't think it was either of these because I don't feel bad. Dada said Charm has a faster, smoother gait. I like Charm better, I think, but I feel guilty for admitting that.

A little catch-up

I went to the Middleburg Classic Saturday night to make a presentation for CCI. It's a big hunter horse show, and after watching one round I wish I could ride like that. They cantor and jump and look so good. I even got to plug Lift Me Up and my riding. During the presentation on CCI, I just mentioned that I ride at Lift Me Up. No one offered me millions, though. Yet.

Also, I got a mention in the magazine of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. Actually it was a picture, from the riding in Colorado Springs.

Finally, I got a fan letter. Really. From friends of Dada, but still. It reads in part:

Have fun at the games. Take time to enjoy. Know that we all care and support you. Win your events if can, but win a fun foreign time also. Life is too short to go without some enjoyment. Loosen your rein just a little, but never loose control.

Sure, you are an athlete! We all are athletes, because God made us that way. Some of us display our talents in a different style than others, and some must compete only against their own records of time, distance, manner, or whatever.

Don't be caught being nervous about the competition, and don't get caught back home failing to thank those who have helped you to progress.

I am not sure what games they mean, but pretty cool, huh?

Best ... Lesson ... Ever

It was, according to Dada. It got off to a bit of a rocky start, though.

Dada decided to put me on Charm today. Apparently, Charm's popularity at Lift Me Up has faded a bit. Dada said she is fine with riders but not with side walkers. She bites them.

So instead of Kate holding the horse while Dad and Dada help me on, today Dada held the horse while Kate and Dad helped me on. It was just a little awkward. After I got on, Charm was great, well except for when she jerked her head a couple times. Dada asked me after one of them if I was scared. I wasn't. I was really pretty excited and proud that I could ride as horse like Charm.

And she is such fun to ride. I have to watch her all the time because when Charm hits a straightaway, she is ready to go. She really picks up her pace, and I have to slow her down. It is almost the exact opposite of Bella. With her, I am always encouraging her to get along.

I actually rode well enough that some of my circles were really circular. I am still having a bit of a problem keeping the horse's head curved along the edge of the circle, but the circles were there. And Charm keeps walking through it all. She is awesome.

Bella makes my heart skip a beat

We were riding outside today in very fall-like weather. It was really comfortable, and I felt pretty good about my riding. I was keeping the circles sort-of round and generally the right circumference, give or take a meter.

We were rounding a far corner, going from C to M to somewhere, when he appeared. His name was death, or maybe Joe, and he carried a scythe, or maybe a Weed Wacker.

I actually never saw him, but Dada did. So did Bella. She took the corner OK, but then started speeding up. I didn't really have time to panic or anything. She was trotting only a few steps. I started pulling the reins sand saying "easy" and Dada came running in and Bella quickly settled down.

Kate and this girl who helps out at Lift Me Up gave me a round of applause for my death-defying efforts.

In retrospect, really all I remember thinking is: "Is Bella really trotting? What the heck?" And sort of wanting to laugh. Dada complimented me and Bella on our lack of panic. Then she gave Bella a treat. Not me. No candy for Matt.

After that the ride was still pretty good, but I could not get a serpentine down. I kept making odd turns and not going straight.

Part of my problem, and I think this becomes more pronounced the longer I am on the horse, is that I sit on my right side. To combat this, Dada wants me to shift left every so often. She wants me to practice this in my wheelchair. So if you see me shifting in my chair, I am not uncomfortable, just practicing dressage.