So, I was recently offered the amazing opportunity to half lease a horse. Sara gave me a lesson on him before I signed the contract and it was quite honestly, the worst I have ridden in ages. I didn't think I felt nervous but apparently my body disagreed and I was tense and just generally total crap up there, we couldn't get rhythm, balance or anything that resembled a dressage partnership. I bounced around and couldn't get any nice work. So, what did I do when I got home? I signed the lease. I knew this horse had a sweetness in him that appealed to my heart, as a wonderful friend of mine (Heather Noddle) once said, the finger twitching will tell you all if its meant to be yours. I knew in my mind that I could ride this horse and that when I learned how to, the reward would be wonderful. Now, just over a week into our partnership things have moved on immeasurably. Yes there is plenty that we are both still learning, this horse isn't a push button dressage trained horse and I am not a professional rider but we are having so much fun learning together with the help of a pretty fabulous instructor!
The other thing that has really helped me this week is to audit the Dressage Symposium and really crack on in my head with actually becoming a better rider for Ritz. As always, I learned less than I hoped as there is only so much a brain can process, but a few gems stuck with me...
Steffan Peters body... no not in that way! His strong core position up there on the horse- my new Mantra... "SIT LIKE STEFFEN"
"Do not hold the rein just to hold the rein, be playful, be creative" Steffen Peters
"You are in control of the tempo, if you do half halt and do not get a response then full halt and try again" Steffen Peters
"A bad reponse is better than no response" Steffen Peters
"Your inside rein is your playing rein, your fun rein" Axel Steiner
"Talk to him through your seat, and with your legs, let him know what to do" Axel Steiner
"I can remind you about your leg position (or elbows, shoulders etc) but until you keep reminding yourself it will not become habit"
These gems have really helped my riding, these little mantras are clicking over in my head again and again and hopefully will become non cognizant eventually.
Honestly, the whole thing was wonderful. My friends Lauren S and Caroline rode with Axel, Lauren S and Lauren W and Jess with Jane Savoie and Sara rode with my new idol Steffen. All the horses got pumped with the speakers, marquee, people etc but no one ate dirt... so thats good! I came away so inspired.
But, what has really inspired me is having something to call my own again, to bond with, to fuss, to bling and to love. To ride, to train, to get better, to have some truly terrible rides but still be able to give him his Twizzler and a kiss at the end of each ride. My heart is full of love for this sweet, quirky, hot, lazy and very gentle and loving horse. Thank you to my darling Nic who made this possible (and brought me a dressage saddle, new hat, boots etc) and Sara, Rhonda Emily and Emily 2.0 who share this lovely boy with me.
Anyhow, its Friday night after a very long week and I am ready for a big glass of wine and the hot tub... my body hurts from Stressaging!!!
xoxo
Gemma
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| Sara getting a talking to from Steffan ;) |
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