180
After losing my will to ride for two weeks (a first), now I can't get enough. Today I rode twice. I'm constantly plotting how I can spend the winter with lessons and training five days a week (retirement money? more consulting work?), and when I'm not on the horses, I'm watching training videos or studying dressage books (currently the classic 'The Complete Training of Horse and Rider by Podhajsky).
It's just a paperback copy I found at a used book store, but it's a bible for dressage people. I've read it fitfully before, opening it here and there, but now I'm going cover to cover. Joan's teaching aligns very closely (but not completely) with this book. She studies all of the masters and can quote from them at will and tell stories about debates and schools of thought going back hundreds of years.
Since I can't work with Joan right now, and maybe never, this approach will have to do for the time being. But I digress.
Back to riding - Jennifer and Maria came to visit today, to ride and take pictures. Maria is an excellent amateur photographer, so I'm hoping to have some nice pictures to post soon. It was SOOO fun to spend the morning with them.
I'm finding I'm still way behind where I was in my training. Maybe this is partially feeding my frenzy for lessons? Anyway, Rogo was so sluggish when I rode this morning that I had to get on again this evening. I couldn't let the sun go down on that lack of energy :) So I saddled up again, DETERMINED to have a forward ride and voila - I got a forward ride. What does that tell you about intent? Why do I keep forgetting this? Please, if I start whining about lack of energy and forwardness again, remind me that I set the pace and the tone. There's the crux of it - at 50+ I get out of shape really fast. So it's hard for me bounce back with energy from a lay off. Between the two weeks of not feeling like riding preceded by Rogo's cut leg I haven't been riding regularly for awhile.
I evilly felt a little better when Jennifer, who's a very good rider, found Rogo exhausting too. She's only in her early / mid twenties and in good shape, so it's not just me :) Jennifer, if you're reading this forgive me, but I can't help myself. Misery loves company :) Now you have to come back and ride him again so you can experience good Rogo!
I was going to describe the visit, riding on the beach, etc. but I think I'll wait until I have pictures and let them tell the story. It was a really fun day.
It's just a paperback copy I found at a used book store, but it's a bible for dressage people. I've read it fitfully before, opening it here and there, but now I'm going cover to cover. Joan's teaching aligns very closely (but not completely) with this book. She studies all of the masters and can quote from them at will and tell stories about debates and schools of thought going back hundreds of years.
Since I can't work with Joan right now, and maybe never, this approach will have to do for the time being. But I digress.
Back to riding - Jennifer and Maria came to visit today, to ride and take pictures. Maria is an excellent amateur photographer, so I'm hoping to have some nice pictures to post soon. It was SOOO fun to spend the morning with them.
I'm finding I'm still way behind where I was in my training. Maybe this is partially feeding my frenzy for lessons? Anyway, Rogo was so sluggish when I rode this morning that I had to get on again this evening. I couldn't let the sun go down on that lack of energy :) So I saddled up again, DETERMINED to have a forward ride and voila - I got a forward ride. What does that tell you about intent? Why do I keep forgetting this? Please, if I start whining about lack of energy and forwardness again, remind me that I set the pace and the tone. There's the crux of it - at 50+ I get out of shape really fast. So it's hard for me bounce back with energy from a lay off. Between the two weeks of not feeling like riding preceded by Rogo's cut leg I haven't been riding regularly for awhile.
I evilly felt a little better when Jennifer, who's a very good rider, found Rogo exhausting too. She's only in her early / mid twenties and in good shape, so it's not just me :) Jennifer, if you're reading this forgive me, but I can't help myself. Misery loves company :) Now you have to come back and ride him again so you can experience good Rogo!
I was going to describe the visit, riding on the beach, etc. but I think I'll wait until I have pictures and let them tell the story. It was a really fun day.
Comments
Can't wait for the pictures!
Glad to hear you've regained your enthusiasm. I've often noticed the same thing in my training. I get caught up in life and the horses get set aside for a bit. But, I always return invigorated and ready to work. As they say, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"!
Love Jenn
I'm glad your evening ride was better. Can't wait to see the pictures!