Tuesday, April 7, 2015

New (Indoor) Horizons

all by ourselves
I've been really frustrated with riding lately because I'm not able to be consistent over fences with a trainer. There are things I'm 100% confident at (ground work, some lower level flat) and things I definitely need my hand held for (starting greenies over fences). I won't get in to the semantics of it all, but I've been considering my options and finally came up with something like a plan.

So Sunday, Courage and I had our first ever lesson with a new (to us) trainer. I'm hoping to join in on a consistent and appropriate group lesson, but G (trainer) asked if we'd be interested in doing some private lessons first to get acquainted to which I said OH HELL YES I WOULD. (Dear Bank Account: I'm sorry. Please don't hate me.)

cuz planning ahead is totes lame
I felt quite grown up with my (borrowed) rig and hauling my horse over all by my onsie, even if it's like a 4 minute drive from home base.

Oh and it was Easter Sunday and I hatched this crazy plan like Saturday morning, and thus was completely unable to procure a photographer. Oops.

Anywho. Courage semi-settled in the new to him indoors (with mirrors! everywhere!) and G immediately had us leg-yielding in and out of a circle in the walk and trot to get Courage moving his feet and loosening his back while focusing on me.

mirrors! windows! also the poles for the day
Did I mention that G started out on Thoroughbreds and does a decent business finding good ones on the track and actually likes them? All positives, imo, when you need help with a thoroughbred.

We didn't even jump as such--we walked, trotted, and cantered through poles on the ground with G making me be much more conscious of my weight/body placement. Some of the things ran counter to what I've been taught before, but that's kind of the point. What I'm doing on my own isn't working and I need new ideas. I'm giving them the ol' fashioned try. (Noted: nothing revolutionary or weird, just a different way of riding.)

proof of nose
About half way through, Courage started flinging himself around while cantering a single pole and G asked if I minded if he rode and I was like "LULZ NO HE'S ALL YOURS". I mean, Courage's antics look dramatic, but aren't hard to ride. HOWEVER, I wanted to see what G would do with them and if he could improve them. And how he and C-RAGE would get along. And all that.

Answer: quite well.

z poooooor leetle horsie gots all sweaty
G demonstrated the things he was explaining to me and rode through Courage's little tantrums and then was able to do all the exercises and let Courage figure things out. It made sense to me and it made sense to Courage.

And that's what matters to me right now. Next lesson with G is in two weeks. Lots of homework before then!

25 comments:

  1. I think I love your new jumper trainer. :)

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  2. Always great to get a new perspective on existing issues!

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  3. Sounds like a really great lesson! I can't wait for the next one :)

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  4. Glad to hear things went well! Excited for upcoming lesson recaps :)

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  5. Woo hoo! That's so awesome! I always love it when the trainer offers to get on to see what you're dealing with.

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  6. I'm with you; a trainer who has experience with, likes, and is good with TBs is always at the top of my training shopping list. Isn't it fun to see a trainer calmly get and deal with the same shenanigans your horse throws at you?

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  7. Someone who can help you through those antics and has TB experience is a huge plus!

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  8. I'm going next time damnit. You'll see!

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  9. Yay! Sounds like a good instructor for you two.

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  10. Awesome you found someone who loves the Tbs!

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  11. Nice!! Sounds like an excellent match for you guys.

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  12. So exciting! Glad you found a trainer that gets you both

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  13. Sounds awesome! Yay for progress :)!!

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  14. I really enjoy reading about your continuing quest for education and progress. I think it is totally awesome. Rock on with your bad self!!!

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  15. I'm not one for planning ahead, so I totally get this. It's why most of the pictures of me on horseback are taken by my 6 year old. Glad to hear you've got a plan and a trainer, though! Everybody needs those two things! (I'd probably be a lot farther along in everything if I had a plan)

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  16. Sounds awesome, new ideas and someone who understands TB brain & what you want to achieve is a major plus.
    Can't wait for your next lesson recap ☺

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  17. AND how much I believe in his methods and techniques over fences. Vastly more than others'. ;)

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  18. That's awesome! New, good trainers are the best!

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  19. lessons that make sense are the best :) good luck!

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  20. What a fun, silly pic with the tongue sticking out! And good luck with your horsey homework. So much better than actual homework. :)

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  21. It's always awesome to get a fresh perspective from a new trainer!

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  22. Great lesson!! I LOVE homework - makes me feel empowered, and a lesson in 2 weeks is perfect motivation to make rides really count. Having a trainer who loves and is experienced with OTTBs is so important, I think.

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  23. Fantastic! Glad it was a great lesson and you found someone you click with!

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  24. I always think it's funny when trainers ask, "do you mind of I ride your horse for a minute ...?" And ammies be like, PLEASE YES NOW OMG.

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  25. I'm curious to see what his methods are

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