a little sunshine under the moon

[diaryofarider]

So I finally got to go ride on a weeknight again! Yay! I've been feeling so grouchy and depressed lately, but last night was supposed to be warmer (though it was actually pretty dang cold when I got to the barn), hubby was home at a decent time, and I felt less sick than I have, so off to ride I went. I free lunged Trudi for a few minutes, which was a fantastic idea- she wasn't crazy with pent up energy, but she was really tight- once she loosened up I tacked her up and climbed on. I thought it might not be a very good night because I was cold and hadn't ridden in like 5 days, but I was wrong. She was a star. And frankly, I wasn't so bad myself. I don't know how or why but I seemed to be sitting very well- nice and tall with my butt in the saddle and no bouncing. Part of it I'm sure was that she was already loosened up, and maybe part of it was that all the layers of clothing kept my normally slouchy self propped up. And maybe I've finally remembered how to sit again, after like 15 years...
Anyway, I had some of the feeling and control of her hindquarters like I had in my last lesson- it wasn't quite as good but it was probably the best I've felt working alone. We worked on getting a steadier rhythm at the trot (also one of the key points from last lesson) and I put a cone near boogeyman corner and went around it- gave Trudi something different to look at there and a guide to go around- seemed to help quite a bit- we had only a couple of small spooks. Anyway, trot got connected and through in the back, with that nice steadiness in the bridle. The canter was a surprise though- much better than Saturday- I was able to get her more balanced and less rushed. We finished with three really good trot canter transitions to the right. It was such an uplifting experience- I really needed the pick me up. Trudi seemed proud of herself too. She was like "Oh hey, yeah, I guess I am pretty great." Weather is supposed to be ok this weekend too, so I'm happy.

Comments

[halfpass-19.livejournal.com]

Hooray for your good ride!

Over the summer, Trainer and I were discussing the apparent contradiction that when I've been gone traveling for work, and I come home, I tend to ride reeeaaalllly well...like scary-well....like it's not even me ;D Trainer said he thinks the ability to ride that well and focus that well is always in me, it's just that when I haven't been able to ride for a while, I subconsciously put 110% into it, like to make the most of it.

It was really one of those "huh" moments. I never really thought about it that way before, and I have a hunch he may be right. However, it points to an obvious problem: when I *have* been riding regularly, I'm obviously *not* putting 110% of my effort/concentration/focus/whatever else into my riding. :(

[diaryofarider.livejournal.com]

I think your trainer might be onto something there. I KNOW I tend to ride distractedly. Lalala...oh wait, gotta fix something, there, fixed it, lalalaa.... Riding focused is definitely difficult and something I don't do most of the time, which is part of why lessons are so good for me- I don't get so many chances to let my mind wander. I think also the attitude of both horse and rider can be different after a break- like "Oh, thank God, it's good to be back."