Lesson WIth Cheryl

We're getting back on our every Tues. lesson schedule so today we had a lesson. Last winter I did two lessons a week to get us back to work, but I want some riding time on my own to work on things this year, and also I'm busier. 
I read posts from younger women sometimes lamenting they don't have more lessons, so I feel a little guilty posting about them, but I have a message for all those young women - you are much more flexible, strong and resilient, and you'll have more money for lessons when you get older. A rather sweeping statement, but generally true. You know what they say, "Youth is wasted on the young" (George Bernard Shaw).
I'm not suggesting lesson money comes easily (it doesn't), only that barring bad luck (health issues, job loss, etc.) a more stable base is built by now so with care and prioritizing there's more likelihood of eking it out. Financing horses / riding would make an interesting post. The things we give up to ride would make some people think we're crazy, but we feel like the luckiest people in the world.
I'm off on a tangent - back to the lesson update. We longed Rogo first, with me on after the first few minutes. I did my exercises again (the ones from Sun. made me sore!) and did some fun things to try to separate body parts, i.e. posting trot while arms are out to the side and me turning back and forth with them out. I ended up laughing too hard to do much, but I got the idea of it. Off the longe, I think the leg yield is coming, but it's definitely one of the slower things we've worked on. His halts are getting better and it was generally a good ride.

Comments

I'm envious of your regular lesson schedule and getting longed. Averaging every other month
between traveling to my lessons lately.

I'm working on a how to finance / budget your horse habit post as we speak. Great minds ;)
Oak Creek Ranch said…
My last three lessons have been canceled due to rain. SO jealous! :)
wilsonc said…
I haven't been able to do an every week lesson in a few years, but I am back to one every other week. I was suppose to have one today, but it was so cold at the barn. My trainer had been there through 6 horses already and had 2 more lessons after mine...I opted to switch my lesson to Thursday when it's forecasted to be warmer and went to get coffee for my trainer instead.
Carol said…
Lessons are a real treat for sure. I loose my position and get off track without them. Wilsonc your trainer is very lucky to have you for a student.
juliette said…
I don't take lessons, but last night I was thinking about how crazy my monetary priorities are just so I can afford horses. My mother helps out by allowing me to use her farm (thanks Mom!) but still Brian and I have WAY more expenses than if horses were not in my life. Brian encourages me to spend a large chunk of our fun money on horses. I secretly read this as his awareness that one day HE will be involved in horses too!!! I envy your Doug riding with you!
TeresaA said…
my lessons have become a bit more erratic over the past few years for various reasons. I have found that I prefer to have a lesson and then work on it on my own before the next lesson. However, I sometimes will request a lesson almost immediately after (the next day or so) if I believe I'm making a breakthrough and want to consolidate it. I am lucky as my riding coach is flexible enough to let me do it this way.
Most people here in NJ assume I'm really rich because I have a farm and horses. If they only knew....

I envy your lesson schedule, too. For me it's about time. I could take a lesson a week, but sometimes I only ride once in a week, so the lesson would be wasted. Youth is wasted on the middle aged, too, it seems! ;)
Rachel said…
Love the idea of being longed on the horse. I'm gonna ask my trainer if that's something she thinks would be right for me...
Generally, I only get to ride twice a week and if I'm lucky three times. You'd think as I'm an older person I'd have lots of time on my hands. Wrong. I'm more busy now than when I had 3 kids at home. So I enjoy a lesson now and then but I do like to work things out on my own also. Luckily I don't have to pay for my lesson because my daughter is an excellent trainer. A bit tough on me sometimes, but I guess she's just getting revenge for all the times she had to clean her room!
Rising Rainbow said…
You're so right about people who are not horse people not understanding the sacrifices made to own horses. I'm pretty sure my in laws think I"m certifiable. LOL
Carol said…
I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoy these comments. We all have somewhat different approaches that meet our individual needs, but share the love of riding and make the sacrifices necessary to do it. We're a lucky group.