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Post by nich on Apr 23, 2007 21:03:38 GMT 1
was having a brill lesson, some cracking canters on the right rein, I was starting to understand what the quality of trot was that I needed to get a quality canter. So off we go, left rein, sitting trot, canter - yep fine....3 strides later, spin in the corner of the menage, doubled back to right rein, off I came. Fine, get back on. Trainer says I accidentally touched her quarters with my schooling whip, so I accept responsibilty. drop the crop. start again, blow me down the girl does the spin, into the gate. I fall on her neck but stay on. This time, my trainer said Dolce was being naughty - having learned she could get out of cantering once, she tried it again. So, she (kindly!) said I didnt have to canter again, but I was to growl at her and work her seriously in trot, with lots of changes of rein on a circle to show her that I control the direction. And, guess what - no wobbling about, no shying, on the bit, lovely trot. OH said it was the best I ever rode her, because I rode like I meant it, not all foetal, apologetic, softly softly. phew - could it be a breakthough? maybe my gently gently, oh dear, 'I know it's hard and scary 'riding is part of our problem. I wanted to ride tonight to keep my confidence up, but was too late home. must ride tomorrow tonight!
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Post by sandy on Apr 23, 2007 21:16:53 GMT 1
Sad you fell off; glad you're o.k; Mega impressed you got back on and did all that riding with a great attitude. Huge well done!
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Post by wozzer on Apr 23, 2007 22:08:03 GMT 1
Brave you. Well done for just getting on with it ;D The weird thing is, that when I do actually fall off it is nowhere near as bad (honest) as the thought of falling off
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Post by Casper on Apr 24, 2007 6:28:00 GMT 1
Glad you are okay after your fall Nich. It is sooo hard getting the balance right when you are nervous or having a confidence crisis. I know at times I have inadvertently taught Bobby to be scared of something. Because I decide it will scare him, guess what? He obliges and is scared!
My latest thing has been that when I may have backed off of something before - like the horses having a hoolie in the adjacent field while we are in the school or the like - now in my mind I say to myself "Ask the question, ask the question". i.e. don't back off but ask for what you want anyway, don't avoid the work because of fearing he may react because of the distraction.
Keep focused and most importantly have good intent. This will help you be a dependable leader for your horse. Oh and breathe too!
Do I do this all of the time - no. Would I like to - yes. I am certainly trying that's for sure.
Anyway, sorry for all this blooming waffling on, have been up way too early today (4am) and think brain is addled already... Well done for being so focused and determined that you forgot about you fall and directed your horse from there on in. It is not easy and I think you did amazingly!
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em&ed
Grand Prix Poster
Grand Prix Poster
If I had just a little humility, I'd be perfect....
Posts: 3,276
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Post by em&ed on Apr 24, 2007 7:28:13 GMT 1
I almost didn't wanna read this thread when I saw the title - lol - coz then you think "that could be a scarey thread with a bad ending and it could happen to me" which is a little OTT I admit However it wasn't a bad thread it was a good confedence giving thread and you were brave, got back on identified the problem and took it form there and it was a success!! Hooray! Well Done! Certainly sounds like you meant business and I'm sure your horse must have sensed this and hence the good behavior - keep it up! (I also do the softly softly approach so I know what you mean)
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Post by kya on Apr 24, 2007 8:44:20 GMT 1
I think you handled that fall magnificently... well done. Great guts.
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Post by julz on Apr 24, 2007 20:23:12 GMT 1
That's the right attitude to riding and getting the best of your horse....Ride like you mean it, and the horse will respond....Sad you fell off though, but if it made you ride better.......
Hope you're not too sore!
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Post by kpick on Apr 24, 2007 23:55:56 GMT 1
great news, well done you! I think it does help in the long run, to understand how not to get into a situation again, because its not a nice thought, so keep that up! Doing any advanced medium dressage tests this year then, the rate your going?! lol
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Gee Gee
Grand Prix Poster
Williams first ridden class
Posts: 1,458
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Post by Gee Gee on Apr 25, 2007 1:23:28 GMT 1
wow what a great effort ! It's great that you got back up and continued thats the hardest part of riding, not the falling off, but the getting back on ! pat on the back for you
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Post by nich on Apr 25, 2007 7:45:23 GMT 1
thanks guys! fyi it didn't hurt - thank goodness for the rubber surface. I know what you mean wozzer about it never being as bad as the fear of it. the worst bit is thinking you will hit the fence, cos that would hurt! ha ha kpick, yes you will see me competing at advanced medium...not! I won't even do a prelim at the yard, because my brain goes 'she will spook at the white boards, she is scared in that arena, the canter will go loopy' etc. So I do the yard comps on my trustworthy old steed. And, ya know what, she occaisionally spooks and is silly, but I just laugh about it!
oh, and I haven't been back on board since! haven't got home from work in time, but tonight I hope to do a hack with OH. fingers crossed (there will be NO cantering).
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Post by amarche on Apr 26, 2007 12:01:32 GMT 1
well done nich!
I think most of my confidence crisis's (??) are through me determined to fullfil my own prophecies....!
I'm glad you're ok, I agree with Wozzer, sometimes coming off isn't as awful as I've convinced myself it is.
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Post by nich on Apr 26, 2007 13:22:31 GMT 1
yay - hacked last night, and survived a pony galloping along a fence line calling for its companion (lots of snorting and head up like a giraffe), a very very long uphill trot, and meting 3 runners and a dog in the woods (which are private to our yard owner! so shouldnt have been there). D was great, we let Iolo (OH's horse) take the lead and she followed, absolutely fine. we trotted past blue pheasant feeders, and guinea fowl. We trotted through the water jump (very bouncy as she has a very extravagant trot in water), and I got off and wlked her the last 400 metres home as a reward.
am beginning to realise that she reacts/looks/snorts/stands rigid/steps back - but hasn't done anything actually really bad. so maybe I am going to start trusting her, and not being surprised that she isn't like my IDx perfect girl!
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Post by wozzer on Apr 26, 2007 20:38:44 GMT 1
Way to go nich! xx
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Post by Louise C on Apr 27, 2007 22:43:30 GMT 1
Well done you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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