The call comes from your instructor (or maybe you’re just really masochistic motivated): “drop your irons.” And at first you’re like: okay, I got this. Yeah. I’m awesome! I’m so strong and balanced! Half a lap around the arena you’re like, By now your legs are really burning. Maybe your instructor is giggling gleefully in the middle … More Throwback Thursday: Thoughts while Riding without Stirrups
A few weeks ago, my mom was in town and kindly came out to the barn to take photos during my riding lesson. I have found that I have plenty of show photos but hardly any of “regular” riding. It happened that we had a conditioning lesson planned so we popped over a couple of … More Photos: Summer Evening in the Field
The call comes from your instructor (or maybe you’re just really masochistic motivated): “drop your irons.” And at first you’re like: okay, I got this. Yeah. I’m awesome! I’m so strong and balanced! Half a lap around the arena you’re like, By now your legs are really burning. Maybe your instructor is giggling gleefully in the middle … More Thoughts while Riding without Stirrups
Confession: I’ve been meaning to write this post for quite a long time. Back before Easter (wow, that feels like a long time ago, am I right?) I was asked to ride Max, who is owned by some friends at the barn. I was so pumped because in my opinion, Max is one of the … More All Go and No Whoa
You know those totally dreamy rides you get every once in awhile? The kind where you faintly hear the Hallelujah Chorus singing in the heavenly distance? I had one of those recently on Poe. Twice, actually. In our two most recently show team rides, I got on the big red guy with a little apprehension. … More Poe-Fection and The Kill Switch: A Story
A few weeks ago, I was traveling in Dominican Republic and we rode horses (or, in my case, a donkey) through the mountains and then hiked down to a waterfall. It was a loooong way back up some rough-hewn stairs. I was stubbornly determined not to stop and take a break during the difficult climb. … More I, Athlete.
As the winter from you-know-where wraps up (sort of) it is a truth universally acknowledged that most horses – and humans – are woefully out of shape. What is an equestrian to do? It’s time to create a spring conditioning program. Whether you’re headed to the show ring or hitting the trails this summer, you … More Conditioning with Intent
Joe and I continue working together on accepting the bit and being balanced. It’s amazing to me how this horse runs through his inside shoulder. It has become clear that he is extremely unbalanced and maybe more than a little willing to let me prop him up rather than balancing himself. Naughty me. I have … More Your Horse Is Not Being Rude. Except When He Is.
This week I had another lesson on Little Joe (21 degrees this week – positively balmy!). It felt like our best ride so far, in terms of making a connection and building our relationship. Joe is really starting to accept the bit, and will even soften and bend through the corners…sometimes. He is still lacking … More Things That Look Easy, But Aren’t
Sometimes we can’t ride as much as we like, especially if, like me, you don’t have your own horse so you depend on the kindness of others and paid riding time outside of lessons. But riding horses is hard work that requires balance, endurance and strength, which is why equestrians are considered athletes. And if … More “Riding” When I Can’t Ride
Centered in the Saddle 