Horseback Riding

So I didn't post Friday because I was up all night talking on the phone. And for once it is not costing me $1 a minute! I got this thing called Skype, thanks to Katie McBride, that allows me to call the States for .02 cents/minute! It's fabulous! So I made some phone calls after I got back from riding.

But riding is what you all want to hear about, so here goes. I rode to the stables, located in Neath - theoretically a 30-minute drive if traffic is in your favor -, with John. John is a 2nd-year law student in the undergrad program at Swansea & has been riding for 2 years. He is captain of the intermediate squad. So it took us an hour because traffic was HORRENDOUS! Once we got there, the advanced group, meaning they jump things, had just finished up. So our group went & get our horses. Now, mind you, that the entire time this lesson is going on it is raining cats & dogs. So we had 3 groups (intermediate, novice, & beginner) riding in the same arena. There were about 7 in our group, so Matthew, the trainer, combined the smaller groups into one, split the ring in half with cavaletti & said "Don't go past it unless you want to be a beginner." So we stayed on our side of the already small arena.

I rode a chestnut named Piper. He is very small compared to what I'm used to! Probably about 14.2 hands, or Scooter's size for the non-horsey people who have seen Scooter. He is very low headed with a neck that is certainly not a Saddlebreds! But overall, he has a great temperament. So I climb up into my hunt seat work saddle & I could already feel my hips starting to protest a bit since I hadn't been on a horse seriously since April. Matthew gets all started. First thing, we are NOT allowed to pass - we must ride head-to-tail, with me bringing up the rear. Well, Willow, the black mare two horses in front, walks VERY slowly. And her rider did not understand that a "working walk" meant move like you're going somewhere. So I kept having to pull back on poor Piper.

Overall, Matthew liked my position, except I held my hands too high. Whatever. I probably rode with the longest irons of anyone, which commented on. We worked at a walk, working walk, working trot, and canter. And of course they do not walk, trot, walk, canter, walk. They transition everything straight into one another! So from a working trot to a canter. That was a bit of a challenge! And it meant no walking breaks. I think I was the only one who stayed on the correct diagonal the entire time - thanks to the equitation background. I also found it very difficult to turn the horse off my leg with that darn roll on the saddle! I wish I had been in my saddle seat saddle! We also worked on no iron work, which of course was fantastic for me because I LOVE riding without stirrups - I know, I'm crazy. Matthew was also impressed with that. Did some cantering without irons as well. We also had to do this weird leg exercise to make us sit on our butt bones & today, my butt really hurts from it since, according to Mom, I have no padding there. Essentially, you take your feet out of the stirrups, pull your knees up to your chest & in front of the saddle so they touch. Hold that for 5 seconds, then pull your legs apart so they are not touching the horse for 10 seconds, & then put them back down. We did that at the walk & trot - Matthew wanted to stress that our legs do not keep us in the saddle, it's our butt. That supposedly helps us with our sitting trot, which is a heck of a lot easier to do on their little hunters than a high-stepping ASB! Overall I enjoyed the lesson, though I am a tad sore today - just the upper thighs & the butt, which has no padding.

The group rides again next Wednesday, which I can't make due to class. And that is also the day of the team trials. So I won't be able to participate in the team trials because of class so there is no chance of me competing. Oh well, guess that means I won't have to buy all the "correct" riding clothes in order to compete & I can just wear my ASB jods & boots. So yes, riding was fun. And I missed it. And they are very low key there, which is nice.