I am as good as another horse

Apparently, T likes her horse friends more than me. We'll have to do something about that.

We rode in the upper ring yesterday because there was a show going on at Frying Pan Park, a show in which a CCI puppy raiser was riding. No one I really know, but she came over when she spotted Claren and reminded me when we had met – at Clifford's turn-in luncheon.

T was riding slowly but rhythmically at first, although she was still bothered by flies. And I could even smell the fly spray so I don't know what the deal was. But when the two other horses in SPIRIT left the ring to take a little trail ride, T really started dragging. It didn't help that I was tiring by then, too, so my commands are less than perfect. All my figure eights were pretty lousy for one reason or another. We'll be OK at the show Sept. 21 (confirmed as long as I get my para-equestrian card in the mail before then).

One thing I need to get is something up on the saddle I can hold on to. I forgot I wanted it till I was riding. You can see in the photo that my hands were low because that is where there was something to grab, and I am extra wobbly because each hand is holding a separate thing for security. I know I shouldn't lean on my hands, but I do need something to keep me secure and something that will keep me from falling if I lose my balance. That is key; I am not sure Dada would ever let me ride independently again if I fell.

The last figure eight, T was pretty balky, but Dada said it was good because we worked through it. I stayed with my commands and she finally followed.

Almost reined out

T was again bothered a bit by flies, but I don't think that was the main problem. I was dealing with new reins that felt pretty awkward.

I have just been using one rein that is connected to both sides of T and that sits across her neck. But Dada had noticed correctly that I am unable to do a good free walk with that rein system. I can't loosen the reins enough to get a good stretch from T.

Yesterday, we went back to the two reins. The big problem, which I expect to be solved with a little leather strap next week, is that I had gotten used to resting my hands on T's neck and now I couldn't. I kept giving T more mixed signals than usual. She fought through them and mostly did what I wanted, but it was hard to get a good rthtytm going.

It was a real long lesson, too. I think I was inspired by watching some Olympics dressage. We rode for nearly 45 minutes. I liked it. I hope T did.

I sent off an application for the VADA/NOVA Autumn I show in September at Morven Park. I am seeking to ride just once, on Sunday Sept. 21.

Insects -- we hate them

I hate mosquitoes; T hates flies.

This bonds us but makes for a rather rough ride.

She had a fly somewhere, and she didn't buck but kind of hunched up her back legs, a reasonable response to something biting your belly.

But it was hard to stay on and still ride a pattern. i missed two corners and one circle because T was out of rhythm and I was just hanging on

Despite the problems, Dada said I have a good awareness of space and distance, knowing how wide I should go even without obvious markers. I like hearing things like that because I try.

It is also good because I am practicing a test for a show in September and we dont always have time or space for a real ring.

Pimping my ride

Dada reads my blog and tweaks the saddle and other tack based on what's there.

Today she put rubber bands on my stirrups to keep my feet in them when I do leg yielding. We didn't do yielding, but it was good to have the security anyway. because she also lowered the stirrups until I could barely reach them (or so it felt).

She said that she had been too easy on me in letting me ride with higher stirrups. That led to my hunching over. With the stirrups so low I did is straight and it felt good. I have to remember that, because I was sure Dada told me to hunch. The low stirrups felt good, though. Remember, Matt: low stirrups.

There were three horses out today, two with riders, but instead of trying to match patterns like a mirror, we followed the leader. T really likes walking after another horse.


We also trotted. It is fun, but I cannot see a thing because my head is bouncing around so much.