One of the first things that comes to mind when you think of a Group lesson is “How am I going to do this, if it is difficult enough when it is just me in the arena”… I’ve been there and wondered how the heck I was going to cope, and all that fear, wonder etc translated into my horse and made these lessons the way I anticipated them to be… “Scary, Difficult, hectic”.
Those who knew my old mare and watched the group lessons I had on her (or even the rides on our own) would understand why I was in this space. It also followed me onto Lily but it was a bit different.

I am not 1o0% sure when I finally got over this fear, but I think it happened a few months ago. I guess it is all dependent on Confidence, your trust in your horse and most importantly – the trust in your own ability. But yeah getting back to the point. I now THOROUGHLY enjoy the group lessons. I know what Lily can chuck at me and I know what to do when she does it (It makes a BIG difference).

This past weekend we had a LOVELY Group lesson which Consisted out of: Anel on Flag, Natalie on Discreet, Me on Lily, Jay on Sky and Susan on DeeDee. Pam gave us all a run for our money, we had loads of exercises that challenged us, especially seeing that it was Blistering hot. Everyone coped really well and had fantastic rides. I think the exercises Pam threw our way were done really nicely by all and everyone tried their hearts out (horses included)

What I love about these lessons are that we learn a lot, not just by riding, but by watching the others. It pushes you as an individual to ride it well too Best of all, it prepares us for the shows and for our private lessons as well. It’s just so awesome

Anyways before I waffle on too much, let me end this
Happy Riding everyone!

Over the holiday period quite a few of us worked really hard to get our horses fit and ourselves at the same time. I am glad to see it has paid off in leaps and bounds now. It’s fantastic watching everyone progress and seeing all the horses go so well

Lily has been fantastic, she had her day at the last show, where she gave me a near heart attack, but she is 100% most of the time. We’ve been putting a lot of hard work in and I think we have reached a new level in our training now.

Pam’s been throwing some really interesting, yet fun exercises our way and it’s been gripping trying to keep up with everything and trying to get them right. I think I’m hard on Lily and I at times (not intentionally), but it’s just cause I am so passionate about it. That said, maybe the pushing has been good.

I’ve really been enjoying the exercise we currently have up (The Fan, The figure 8 over the poles, the placing canter poles, the jumps on the sides and then finally the Caveletti’s down the one quarter line. Lily just keeps getting better and better each time we do it and it has been a LOAD of fun I must say. Today Pam mixed some collected trot and sitting trot in the mix and that was rather challenging, I was SWEATING after only a few minutes of it lol. Pam then once again chucked a spanner by getting me to extend her down the long sides as well whilst holding the frame. I think we got it quite nicely along the one side (well for me it felt awesome ). We also did some Spiral ins where we had to concentrate on keeping the same rhythm and keeping the frame and bend correct as well, it was challenging as well but SO much fun. Lily was working with me all the way

All in all it was a really awesome yet very challenging lesson

Thanks to Pam for working with us so closely and well, you really bring the best out in us.

Looking forward to what 2012 holds for us and for the rest of you at the yard! May it be a great one!

Of course the first person I had to go and greet when I arrived at the stables today was Teddy.  Unfortunately I was not interesting enough to him as he could not smell any carrots or apples on my person.

I made my way down to Diago to go and tack him up but he was almost ready and waiting.  I was checking his nose band and it seemed too tight.  I loosened it and then he could open his mouth.  Seems like the nose band is quite restrictive.  He was perfectly good after that!

Out we went into the arena and I hardly had to apply leg – Diago was going really really well.  So different from the last few sessions.  And then came the surprise… we trotted!  At first it felt really weird as I have not trotted since diago first got sore.  I “allowed?” him to go where he felt like while I was getting my rhythm  Then we tried circles which were so tiny for him he decided it was easier to walk them.  I walked him out into a big enough circle and we started trotting again.

It went well and so did the three loop serpentine well(ish).  We didnt trot for long but it was totally awesome when we did.  It’s like riding a bicycle I think that my hands were much better and more stable – not all over the place like before.  My rise wasnt as high either.

I did try to be soft on his back but there were a couple of times my bum disagreed with my head

Pam told me to lift my legs up backwards on Diago’s sides to stretch my thigh….. mmmmmmmm I am not so sure about that!  This afternoon the jelly started settling in *grin*  something in my legs worked albeit not the target group –  lol

Have fun always

Thanks Emma, for the nice lesson Micaela had on Sunday. Here are a few video excerpts from it:

Billy was well behaved (although a little lazy to go into and stay in the canter) and Micaela is riding so well.

Well done Micaela!
Thanks for all the hard work Emma!

Here are a few images too:

Pam was attending to one of the horses who was not feeling well, So Charlene came along and gave me my lesson

Man oh man can you say Drill sergeant? We did loads and loads of trot work, from 10m circles, to Loops through X, 3 loop serpentine’s, 4 loop serpentine’s and you name it, then not to forget turns on the forehand. Charlene had me really working hard and getting Lily to move forward with my seat, not nagging her with my leg (it’s a HORRIBLE habit I have picked up) and I think we were getting it nicely eventually. But I must say Lily had me working hard as I did not have my crop, and she takes FULL advantage of that. But I was really impressed with how she performed

The canter work was really nice as well, especially on our bad rein (left rein), the transition was phenominal I could really feel her arch her back and spring me into the canter She really has one of the most comfortable canters, it’s like a couch that moves

After that we did some frame work and Filly is really getting it, I think once my leg relaxes and I break the aids down more she will find it a lot easier But she was softening beautifully in the walk and even gave us quite a few steps in the trot Very impressed

I just want to say a big THANK YOU to Charlene for teaching the lesson, it was really fun :) I was exhausted though when I got off, and Lily was sweating for a change! Looking forward to the rides the rest of the week

Happy riding everyone!

HEEE HAAA!