I have no title to put here... :(

I haven't posted for a long time... tsk tsk. But this is kind of a milestone for me. From now on, I am going to be much more serious about my riding. Since I started learning more about the technicalities of the horse's movement being affected by the rider, I've been feeling much more self conscious of my position on the horse. I know that I lean back - both my riding instructors and my dance teachers tell me this. I naturally sit/stand about 3 inches back from the usual position, and this tips both me and the horse back whilst riding. Of course, this makes riding more lazy ponies harder as I'm constantly slowing them down, but thankfully I spend more time riding the quick/able to move forward ponies that I am becoming far too big for.

Here's my regime -
1. Run 800metres in under 3 mins 30 secs at least once a week. (preferably twice)
2. Stop eating biscuits!
3. My homework (see below)
4. Daily stretches to try and touch my toes (I fail. I've never been able to touch my toes, not even when I was a tiny kid)
5. Keep my heels DOWN!!!!!!

Wiola has given me homework. Riding my bike without sitting down, and doing folds (as in jumping folds) standing up. I'm really unfit, so I completely fail, but it's getting better. Hopefully, I'll learn to stop hunching my shoulders while folding, and how to ride more securely.


I rode Ada for the first time in months on Sunday. I was a bit apprehensive before I rode her, as she had a bit of a reputation, but she was brilliant. Not one spook, and only one refusal, but she walked over it. I was dubious as to whether she would jump at all, as I've hardly ever seen her jump, only when I jumped her last year. She feels heaps better than she did before - her walk is forward but relaxed, her trot isn't choppy anymore, and can become quite stretchy and forward too. Not saying that I have any professional reference whatsoever, but she really feels atstronomically better than she did about 2 months ago. Her jump, when she has got the tiny bit of confidence from watching others and walking over it herself, feels great - and if I have to say so, even a little bit better than Sienna's. Probably just because I'm more suited to her size, but who knows?
On the whole, it was a great lesson. To not only get Ada going so calmly around the track, even circling and overtaking without any napping, was a fab feeling, and the jumping an even better bonus.
I think I have a new almost favourite pony :)