...but thankfully only sloppy in terms of the arena! :)
I was QUITE close to skipping the ride tonight but thankfully I was motivated by knowing that 1) it would be pretty bad to skip the first ride of the year when one of my top resolutions is to be better about riding more consistently! and 2) I wanted to make the blog members proud. :) Besides, I was all ready to go with my NEW half-chaps and NEW winter riding gloves! So despite the arena looking more like a lake than an arena, and despite the darkness, I tacked up and headed out.
Within the first minute Pro had a big spook by the fence but we immediately returned to business. I had to laugh at him - I think he was feeling "ew, icky!" about the arena slop because his walk was HUGE. Or maybe it was the time off. Either way, he was stepping big! I tried to transform that energy and big step into something positive, so we worked on un-kinking his neck. Even with the vacation, I'm noticing how much quicker he's able to figure out the un-kinking process. Secretly, I think he likes it! ;) So after about 10 minutes, we were happily sloshing through the slop, stretching out and tracking up. I worked on plugging in my seatbones and most importantly, keeping my lower legs off his sides so that my seat felt deep and secure. He was happy to puff up underneath me and stretch out his neck. He was a bit goosey by the bunny tree for a few minutes but we did some small circles (turning 100% off those outside aids!) and I reminded myself to stay OFF my inside rein, as tempting as it was to try and take it. He was much better (of course) and got over it quickly.
I hope everyone else has a resolution to ride more this year! :) And just for fun, here are my 2009 goals. What are yours?
1) Ride more consistently! No excuses! ;)
2) Continue to reduce my dependence on my inside rein. Perhaps I need an Inside Rein Intervention?
3) Continue to develop a wonderful new relationship with my outside rein!
4) Start lateral work...?
5) Eventually have lessons where Pro and I canter! :)
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6 comments:
Sounds like a decent ride back. I'm very proud of you for riding in the lake. You know it's wet when that arena is a pond.
Wow, he is doing great. It will be great to do lateral work again.
Yes, I will speak for the rest of the bloggers and say that we are proud of you for riding despite the crap weather! Congrats on the good ride, minus the one spook.
Sounds good. You are better than I am. I went to go get Desi but just ended up giving out scratches b/c of all the mud.
kudos to you for overcoming the mud...I know terrible footing can kill the motivation to ride quick-fast :)
Good for you for riding despite the slop! All of this wet weather is really frustrating me, because I normally ride in the pasture, and it is WAY too wet and slick for that now. I have to haul out to ride right now. (Which I have done, I just need to get a post done to update everyone! In fact, I have had three lessons!)
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