Got to the barn, grabbed H man, heading back to the barn, groomed, tacked up, got on... yep no lunging. There were far to many people in the arena for me to try and lunge. A little cantering both ways and we were good to go.
It was an odd lesson... I know all the chaos is good for the show ring but Henry isn't fazed by that stuff so it's not something I need to work on, I want to have a lesson where I feel like we are working on things and really pushing ourselves. Last night didn't feel that way. People were all over the place with steering, stopping, cutting me off, running up my horses butt .. you get the picture. Thankfully Henry was good and didn't mind but it makes it hard for me to get a good lesson in. I am paying good money for this lesson and have access to an amazing trainer- I want to get all I can out of it.
Off my soap box...
As we were flatting I kept hearing this funky noise in the corner- I got looked at like I was crazy.. then when we were jumping it came back loud and clear... come to find out it was racoons in the rafters of the arena!!!
Back on track...
We flatted, then jumped over an X for a while. Henry was SUPER lazy over it ... no matter what I did it felt crappy.
L and Carlos took their turn... walking a panel, trot sans stirrups to the X and then canter the oxer and back to walking the panel. As always she makes it look easy.
My turn... she put up the panel a smidge. Canter panel to the X to the Oxer... did it a few times and then I was done. He felt blah over the first two jumped and then great over the oxer. The last time that I did the oxer I saw a spot, closed my leg and asked him to go forward and he did.. I was super proud.
Kat (ok really Andy) took something on the camera (video or pics?) so when I get those I will share :) I am hoping he got a pic of the oxer cause it felt good and I am hoping it looks as good as it felt ;)
Off today, lesson tomorrow, hopefully a trainer ride Friday and lesson Saturday.
 |
| This last weekend we went to the Christmas Parade downtown :) |
Totally forgot about that last walk jump. Also forgot to mention in the blog where I told andy to throw a rock at the raccoon and all the horses spooked, I'll have to write about that tomorrow, it was hilarious.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah ... Magic almost did a back-flip and Henry wasn't sure what they were freaking out about but made sure to be alert in case he figured it out lol. Did he even hit/scare them with the rock?
DeleteYeah you walked the jump- pretty legit!
Yeah totally hit the raccoon. I remember sitting on Carlos thinking "yeah.. when that rock hits, this won't be good" lol
DeleteLOL!!! He just wanted to protect you from the crazy racoons and get out of there quickly ;)
DeleteThe chaos of lessons is part of the reason I dislike my lessons so much, although, to be fair, Walker and I are usually causing the chaos! Like you said, I hate wasting my money, especially when I know things are going to be a waste of my time.
ReplyDeleteAs for the raccoon, you're lucky Henry didn't freak!
normally it isn't this crazy but last night had a whole lot of stuff/people that aren't normally there.
DeleteSuch is life I guess.. right now my time at the barn is precious and not as easy to get as it used to be so I want it all to count :)
Bummer about the lesson. I think this is one of the reasons I typically don't like group lessons as much - too many people and the problem child gets all the attention whereas everyone else gets left out. Although, I suppose we all have a turn being a problem child! :) Love the pic - too cute!
ReplyDeleteyeah true dat!
Deletethanks!
Riding too many people always stresses me out. I think this is why i'm generally gawky and stiff in the warm up ring, since I spend most of my time worrying about what everyone is going to do, which makes it difficult to pay attention to my horse. I suppose I have been spoiled by riding at less busy barns, so I now hate sharing.
ReplyDeleteI don't mine the traffic as long as the other riders are aware and courteous :) Henry doesn't mind either and luckily we are used to riding with others but the whole oblivious rider just makes me mad lol!
DeleteRiding with multiple people in confined spaces usually gives me road rage. While I realize that sometimes horses act up and the person on board may not have perfect control, there are so many inconsiderate idiots out there too.
ReplyDeleteIt gets a little lonely being alone or with one other people sometimes, but at least there's less "crap" going on.
Though on the downside, my mare seems to dislike riding with other horses, so it's something we need to work on. I think this developed at my last barn when the girls were kind of, um... banshees. It wasn't always safe to be riding with them, and my horse is not dumb.
LOL!!! Road rage- love it!
Delete^Ring rage?
ReplyDeleteAnyways sorry your lesson wasn't that good. I normally love my group lessons but I think it is because I don't have them often. I am also typically really lucky in the ring traffic department - all of us sharing the indoor when its normal winter weather is crazy at times but I normally ride in the less busy times (for now anyways...)
Funny about the raccoons... Adorable picture at the end :)
lol ring rage :)
DeleteThanks!
Your little one has the sweetest smile!
ReplyDeleteI love having a ring all to myself and so does Riva. I have never done a group lesson - but I don't jump. Glad Henry is a laid back kinda guy!
Yeah we normally don't mind but when you get in the way of me having a productive lesson i don't like it lol!!
DeleteWere these other riders in your lesson or just riding during?? Makes me happy I have a ring all to myself lol
ReplyDelete5 in the lesson and 2 just riding around :)
Delete