Getting there, one ride at a time.

Last week when I was riding, I fell off the horse. No big deal - it's part of the sport. Right? Not so fast.

Of course, I got back on, finished my ride, and cooled off the horse. Unfortunately, due to my insane schedule right now, I'm not able to ride as much as I would like. So, I thought about that ride. All weekend. Into this week. What did I do wrong? What could I have done differently?

I know exactly what went wrong: the horse I was riding is spooky in general, I had been able to stay with her up until that point...And then, that one time, she happened to spook, I reacted incorrectly by leaning forward, instead of sitting back and pushing her through it with my legs, and BAM, she caught me off balance and off I went. So, I know what I need to work on.

I was finally able to ride again last night. I almost didn't go, because I have been battling a sore throat and general icki-ness for the past few days. But, I had to basically drive by the barn for my sojourn back to Connecticut anyway, so I decided to go.

Admittedly, for the first time in awhile, I was actually nervous to get back in the saddle. I was riding a different horse this week...One that came to the barn earlier this summer, after being turned out to pasture for the previous two years, not ridden. Guess who got to ride him that first time? Yours truly. That was a wild day! Anyway, he's come a long way since then. My trainer wanted me to work on his canter leads and so we did. It was a great ride, by the end, he was doing everything I asked him to do and I even stayed aboard - bonus!

I know many people think that horseback riding is not a sport. P-shaw, I say to that. Riding a horse is challenging, both mentally and physically. When you work at it. I have good days and bad days, but I learn something every single time I ride. Right now, I'm enjoying riding a different horse all the time. I like that I'm riding horses that won't just take me around the ring and make me work for just about every stride.

They're preparing me for that ultimate challenge. I'm determined and have a plan in place to make it happen. I'm not one of those rich girls that will be able to afford a nice, finished horse...That would be boring anyway. No, the horse that I will be able to afford will either be a baby or come with baggage to fix. Thanks to the horses above, I'll be ready.