Yesterday I had another lesson. Lately I have been feeling that Jay is not responding to my leg very well, and has not had good impulsion at the trot. I have even been tempted to carry a whip, and mentioned it to my instructor, but she didn't think we needed it. I am wondering now if it was just that she didn't think we were ready for it! During our trot warm-up yesterday she asked me how I felt about a crop/whip, and we both agreed that it was time. As soon as I had the dressage whip, Jay responded better without me even having to use it. Smart boy!We started out yesterday the same as last week: trot warm-up, trot poles/cavalletti, small cross rail. Then she she said we were going to work on cantering, but just as quickly changed her mind. Uh-oh. Somehow I knew even before the lesson started that the vertical that was set up in the ring was coming, and when she didn't start moving anything around after saying she had changed her mind...well, I was glad that I had actually already started psyching myself up for it! I do have to say that everything came together well, and it felt good! Jay seemed to step it up and take it more seriously, and I think I got myself together because I was afraid about what would happen if I didn't! So I guess we both took it more seriously! We did it three times. I was very happy (as was my instructor), so we stopped for the day on that good note.
I do have to admit that I am actually frustrated with myself, though, after seeing the video from yesterday. I have really lost riding skill. I guess it is not surprising after 11+ years of not being well and everything that goes with that, including the loss of conditioning and weight gain. I realize now that I really was over-estimating my skill level, so I guess it is no wonder that I ended up with confidence issues!
I would REALLY have hated to see myself even a couple of months ago, though, even more so than now! I didn't want to mention what else I have been up to until I actually knew I was going to see some results, but I AM seeing some results, so I will share. My husband and I joined the YMCA on December 31st. We have changed our eating habits, too. Including riding, I am working out at least 5 to 6 times a week. Even when the weather has been too bad to ride, I have been going to the gym. I have been doing a lot of spinning because I can do it with my ankle limitations and I enjoy it, but DH and I have also been doing a variety of other things, too. I am very happy that I can tell that my stamina and endurance has really improved. My first lessons with Jay back in December I could barely manage to trot around the ring more than once before I was exhausted, and a couple of times we pretty much had to stop after 30 minutes because I was worn out. Last week we went for a full hour, with only short breaks. I have lost almost 25 pounds! Right now we are participating in a program called "Y-Weigh" which is like their version of The Biggest Loser. As part of that program we plan to participate in a 5K on May 2nd.
As much as I have been enjoying my lessons, I have been missing doing dressage work, and have started checking into some options for dressage instructors, with the intention of still working with this H/J trainer/friend some too. After seeing myself, I know I really want and need to get my finesse and tact back. However, now I am wondering if I should stick with just her for a little while longer, until my fitness, weight, and ability improve some more. Opinions?
8 comments:
FYI: I had trouble with my pictures tonight. One is missing, and the one you are seeing has the cavalletti portion on the right side chopped off!
Wow! Good job getting yourself motivated and it sounds like you're having a lot of success with your weight-loss goals.
I'm glad Jay knew what the whip meant without you having to deal with actually using it on him.
I think you're doing great, especially being honest with yourself about your skill level. It really sounds like you're making a lot of progress with getting where you feel more confident in both Jay's and your abilities!
That is GREAT news! I'm glad things are going so good with Jay. I think you should stay with this instructor for a little while longer until you can really handle the refineness of dressage.
First of all, congratulations on your motivation and success at getting fit and back into riding shape - its tough. I don't have the good reasons you have for getting out of shape, and I still found myself floundering back in the saddle for a long time. Especially once you get older, it is HARD to remember how to use all these wierd muscles that riding requires.
I am going to disagree a little w/ Alex, I think you should try some dressage. Honestly, over fences work scares me, too..but working on getting Skate using himself correctly, my aids timed, and getting everything so refined has made me want to get back into jumping. I think with my better understanding of how everything works together it won't be just 'cantering up to a fence' anymore. It will be a much more organized and put together effort, which takes a LOT of the fear out of it for me.
On the other hand, if you get the wrong instructor (in any discipline) they can really set your confidence back. If your friend/trainer is helping with that, then keep with her until you find the right dressage trainer.
Congratulations on all your hard work, Christie. It sounds like you have made great progress. I definitely understand what it feels like to be frustrated with your body after a lapse in riding. Good on ya for staying motivated!
Also, I am glad to hear that the use of the dressage whip worked out in your lesson. Although some horses are exceptions (like Tango), I tend to carry a whip more often than not. In my own experience, it is not usually constructive to "tough it out" without the whip if a horse is not responsive to my leg aids -- this just encourages me to use stronger and stronger leg aids to "make my point", and teaches the horse to be less and less responsive to subtle leg aids. Correct use of the whip as a training tool actually improves their responsiveness to leg aids. So, good job you, and good job Jay! :)
As for switching disciplines/trainers... well, I agree with Gabby. The right trainer can mean everything for a rider's confidence. If you are most comfortable with you H/J friend, no need to stop working with her. But if you get the right dressage trainer, you may find that jumping is more enjoyable and less intimidating after you and Jay are able to build a solid foundation in basic dressage. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!
Thanks everyone, for all the encouragement. I frankly thought I looked so bad, compared to what I used to "before," that I had no business being on a horse. Ugh. I might really have given up if I HAD seen myself even a couple of months ago. I guess I feel surprised in a way, now, that someone was willing to give me such an awesome horse! She certainly was honest in representing him, especially since I told her and her trainer that I realized I was having confidence issues when I cantered Jay the first time! I definitely have to admit that I am a beginner right now, even though I understand a lot more theory, and used to be able to implement much more of it.
FWIW, one of the dressage instructors I am considering is Gabby's. (I wish Gayle was close enough!) It is true that I feel comfortable with this friend. Since I knew her first outside of riding, there was already a certain level of trust between us before I started riding with her, which definitely helped when she started pushing my comfort zone in riding...and especially with the confidence issues. She actually is good at what she does, and has more of a dressage foundation than some H/J riders I have known in the past, she just doesn't incorporate dressage into my lessons. I do miss being able to do dressage during a lesson, and then being able to jump a little bit, too! (Since I am doing the latter without the former right now!)
I can see both points...waiting until I can control my body more to handle the refinement of dressage makes sense on one hand. On the other hand, I might progress faster in those respects if I start actually working on it...
Gabby, I do still want to talk with you... Apparently everyone else that rides with my instructor has backed out on the TTC show now, and she usually only comes if she has more than 2 students going. I still plan to come, though, even if I don't show, and I do think I could handle just hacking Jay there. We'll see if my instructor trusts me! I'll be talking to her about it this afternoon.
Libby, you are so right about the whip. Jay was getting to the point that it didn't matter when I increased my leg aids, even trying the "boxing" method. He just didn't respond. I was able to get much more with much less effort just carrying the whip.
I was thinking about Alex's point a little more. It's an interesting idea to ponder on a Friday afternoon at work! I guess I don't approach dressage as something that (at least initially) requires a rider or horse to be highly refined. In fact I think of it the other way around -- working towards solid dressage basics helps to refine both horse and rider so that they can be more athletic in ALL disciplines. But again, it's only my $0.02 :-)
It sounds as though you have very capable, trustworthy trainers in both disciplines, which is wonderful. I am so glad to hear about your progress -- don't be too hard on yourself! It's a process!
Wow, lots to comment on! First of all, a big CONGRATS on your weight loss - that's fantastic!! :) Next, congratulations on all the insight you've been developing into the mental side of your riding. It sounds like it's really paying off for you to realize what things make you uncomfortable, where your weak spots are, etc.
Ah, I wish you could get up with Gayle, too! Perhaps you could truck over to her place sometime for a lesson?
Haha, I'm not even sure I'd call myself refined most days :) so I wouldn't worry about changing your focus. In my non-pro opinion, good basic riding is something that stretches across disciplines (well, except Arab Western Pleasure, HA!) so I think as long as you're happy with your progress, the discipline of your instructor shouldn't matter too much. :)
Great discussion!
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