Well…. what can i say!

Today i CANTERED.

It was totally awesome and unexpected.  After a few rocky starts, Mickey needed to go into canter from walk, we got going.  All the time I spent watching other riders posture in the seat whilst they cantered esp. Tristan and Anel – definitely paid off.

Mickey is also very responsive.  The trotting went well and I managed to get him to move a little faster with my rise.  He had me panting more than himself.  I think I shall have to find myself a hat with a fan and automatic watering system  LOL.

When pam asked if we should canter it was almost too good to be true.  And all it took was to lift the outside leg back and squeeze.  The first couple of rounds I forgot to bring my leg back down and as a result nearly lost the stirrup. heels down and knees in and relax was all that was going thru my mind. Of course all the co-ordination too incl. turning my shoulder in and keeping head up.  The most important thing I did keep forgetting – was to breathe!  it took a few rounds to get going and not trot but when the canter came – bloody hell! I was riding a horse finally.

There were a few times where I forgot to ‘ride’ the saddle and landed up bouncing up and down.  It was so funny and all I was thinking is that I hope the earth tremors were minor   (LMAO!!!)   but then I just relaxed and let the horse do the work.

Mickey survived and I live to canter another day…

For my saturday lesson I chose the Teddy over Mickey – whether this was a good decision at that time or not – was something yet to be determined.  Teddy is still such a comfy ride but my! has he gotten lazy!  The last time I rode him I got so frustrated with myself as I could not get him to move how I wanted him to no matter what I did.  Eventually i gave up.  However this time I managed to move him with my legs, moving in, moving out and getting him to just move.  I hardly used the crop.  When I untacked him, he was so sweaty  he must have really worked hard (oh ok then it was still a little hot too  )

In the last two bootcamp days of december, Diago and I spent lots of time trotting right and doing circles.  I miss that gorgeous beauty.  At least I had the privilege of giving him a bath after my Saturday lesson.  Each time I walked past his stable this weekend I could just not bring myself to look in it for fear of bursting into tears.

Last 5 posts by Kat

• days gone by... - June 25th, 2012
• Week 1 - days 1-5 - June 22nd, 2012
• Bootcamp101 - Day 2 - January 3rd, 2012