With each lesson these last couple of weeks, I desperately try to remember every word that my trainer utters and to memorize how each exercise is supposed to be executed, how my body is supposed to work, and how Universo feels when he is moving correctly.
Read More. . . But today, I figured something out . . . the constant stress had translated into physical tension and was making my riding deteriorate. . . . I had always assumed riding helped me release tension; it was humbling to realize and understand that instead of expecting my horse to absorb my stress, I have a responsibility as a rider to come to the barn without dragging the stress of my life with me in a tension-locked body.
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. . . My final picture was of myself as a huge Oreo cookie bouncing along on the back of my horse. I’m not sure what Verne saw when he watched me attempt zig-zag half pass as an Oreo cookie, but hopefully it was a rider with a crisp outside and a soft inside.
Read MoreWhen the rains stops Universo and I will head out the arena gate . . . Inevitably, we encounter deer and wild turkeys taking advantage of this small oasis in the middle of neighborhood construction. Once we stopped and shared stares with a hawk sitting on a fence post. Another time, a fox ran across the driveway. An occasional turtle sunbathes on a log and frogs jump into pond scum just in front of Universo’s hooves . . .
Read MoreThe day before my last show this season I am relaxed and happy. That sounds almost too simple, but the most important aspect of incorporating competition into my riding has been to achieve these two goals.
Read More...what did I expect, after all these years (I am now 50 years old) of riding in a dressage saddle, when my instructor told me I should ride my horse bareback to give both him and me a break? It would be relaxing. Ha. Relaxing! Perhaps she would be relaxed, but I had visions of me clinging and bouncing on my 4th level dressage horse. I figured it would not be pretty, but I was game to try anyway.
Read MoreStiff Body. Stiff legs and arms. BOUNCE! BOUNCE! I’m hopeless! My arms can relax and follow most of the time. But my legs absolutely refuse to cooperate. This is really depressing. I have 2 different instructors trying to figure out what part of my body (or parts of my body) is at fault. So far we have investigated and make changes in my upper body, the angle of my seat, whether or not I am sitting on my pockets, my thighs, knees, ankles, and…Maybe it’s my brain! I could always try riding on my head. I would probably have better luck upside-down in the saddle waving my legs around in the air! At least they would be moving.
Today I was a multi-colored gummy bear...It is a happy coincidence that I can have fun in my imagination and it helps me become a better rider.
Read MoreRider Development. What are the stages that you go through as a rider? Physical acquisition of skills. Cognitive understanding of theory. Emotional stages as you overcome fear, learn discipline, and find joy riding horses. Share with me your development as a rider. Come with me on my journey as a dressage rider.
