I CANTERED!!!!!

[Blkarab]

Ok---I'm just so excited!

I have been working with my trainer and horse for quite some time. When I started, I was an adult and new to riding. (I didn't get the experience when I was younger). So, I had a lot of fear issues and also strength and balance issues, especially related to dressage. I've worked very diligently on all three issues for the last 6 years and I have the most AMAZING trainer! She's very patient and kind with me. I ride her schoolhorse sometimes and my own horse others (my horse is in training with her). My goal this year is to learn to ride the canter. I've been at the trot for a long time now and really want to get past it.

So---Saturday I had a lesson on my horse (who can be quite a hot-head). Most of my fear issues are on her due to her spookiness nature. I had a great lesson on the lunge with walk and trot. My mare was great. Calm, willing and forward. Well, trainer asks if I would like to canter. Yikes---heart goes in the throat. The butterfies resurface and I meekly try to weasel out of it. Trainer encourages me and talks me into it for 1/2 a circle.

So, I DID IT!!!!!!:winkgrin::D:lol: It was AMAZING! Like flying. I don't even know now why I was so nervous about it. She was so smooth and flowing and it was so unlike anything I had ever experienced on her before! Her trot can be rough and difficult. It was like I was on an entirely different horse altogether. I was so happy that I was crying when we were done. It was like all of the fear and trepidation was finally gone and I could move forward.

I then had the next most amazing lesson on the schoolmaster. I could feel his energy rise up into me and all of the little blockages that I have had in regards to my riding were just gone. I really felt like I had passed a milestone in my riding last weekend. I can't wait until I have my next lesson on Sunday!

Just had to share!

Blkarab

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Terrific - congrats!!!

[stryder]

Good for you!
You worked through all this fear and trepidation, and persevered. And now you're flying!!! How thrilled you must be!

[goeslikestink]

ha ha fun isnt it

[charismaryllis]

congrats!:)

[Reiter]

Well, your post brought tears to my eyes! It's so different when you learn how to ride as an adult! I had the exact opposite exerience. Started riding when I was 4, bareback on ponies and canter was the gait of choice! Even though, boy, can I relate to the feeling... Yes, flying! :D

[Roan]

Sky's the limit for you now -- YOU'RE FREE!

Eileen

[Falconfree]

Congrats!!! I just had the same experience about a month ago, only my fear issues stemmed from bad childhood experiences at a riding school.
Isn't getting past a fear block the most exhilarating and freeing thing ever?

[Blkarab]

Thanks guys!

It's been a long time coming! I have just chipped and chipped away at it. Lots of tears have been shed over the last couple of years and even as recent as a month or so ago.

Falconfree---it is the most liberating feeling that I have ever had! I was just about to give up on my horse, and was starting to have thoughts of selling her, which just make it all worse. I ended up taking a step back and a couple of weeks off from lessons so I could just regroup and focus and things have been much better since.

Dressage is such a fabulous sport! The more I learn the more I want to keep going. It's just these small little accomplishments that make it worth while.

Reiter--that is so sweet! I couldn't believe it when the tears started to come. Even my trainer started to shed a few. She has just been wonderful. Very supportive and encouraging. She knows just exactly how to nudge me and keep me going. Her school horse is just the kindest of souls and I love him dearly! He's in his 20's and we just have this incredible bond. He's not fancy, but he knows his stuff! Whenever I need a confidence boost, I just ask to ride him.

[slc2]

what we say to our bigger pony:

Good girl. :D

[cloudyandcallie]

ah the wind blowing thru your helmet, the powerful steed beneath you, and NO POSTING. always my favorite gait in a horse.
have fun with your and hope you 2 canter for years to come.

[Ajierene]

YAY!!!!

Very exciting for you! There tend to be a LOT more fear issues when people start riding as adults. I attribute more of a, shall we say, respect for the Reaper? Kids tend to just think they are invincible, their ponies are perfect and they can do anything.

My friend started riding in her late 30's. She's cantered and jumped, but the older she gets, the less she likes it. She walk/trots and 'experiments with her horses about a half an hour three or four days a week.

Whatever suits you - but isn't the canter nice?

[Hazelnut]

Good job. Enjoy the moment!

[hessy35]

Ok---I'm just so excited!

I have been working with my trainer and horse for quite some time. When I started, I was an adult and new to riding. (I didn't get the experience when I was younger). So, I had a lot of fear issues and also strength and balance issues, especially related to dressage. I've worked very diligently on all three issues for the last 6 years and I have the most AMAZING trainer! She's very patient and kind with me. I ride her schoolhorse sometimes and my own horse others (my horse is in training with her). My goal this year is to learn to ride the canter. I've been at the trot for a long time now and really want to get past it.

So---Saturday I had a lesson on my horse (who can be quite a hot-head). Most of my fear issues are on her due to her spookiness nature. I had a great lesson on the lunge with walk and trot. My mare was great. Calm, willing and forward. Well, trainer asks if I would like to canter. Yikes---heart goes in the throat. The butterfies resurface and I meekly try to weasel out of it. Trainer encourages me and talks me into it for 1/2 a circle.

So, I DID IT!!!!!!:winkgrin::D:lol: It was AMAZING! Like flying. I don't even know now why I was so nervous about it. She was so smooth and flowing and it was so unlike anything I had ever experienced on her before! Her trot can be rough and difficult. It was like I was on an entirely different horse altogether. I was so happy that I was crying when we were done. It was like all of the fear and trepidation was finally gone and I could move forward.

I then had the next most amazing lesson on the schoolmaster. I could feel his energy rise up into me and all of the little blockages that I have had in regards to my riding were just gone. I really felt like I had passed a milestone in my riding last weekend. I can't wait until I have my next lesson on Sunday!

Just had to share!

Blkarab

Awww, I just LOVE this post!! It takes me back to my students and their lessons and learning.... I'm so happy for you!!!

[TropicalStorm]

that just made me smile.

well done! :) and good for you! I know how hard it can be to sometimes overcome your fear.

[afastarabian]

Congratulations on the breakthrough. You will get to the point that it will be natural.

My trainer told me after one of my last "breakthrough" lessons, when the lightbulb came on and what I was struggling with suddenly made sense, "it is so simple, that it's hard".

[MyReality]

How wonderful!

[meupatdoes]

Yay!
Congratulations!

[Peg]

What a story! You give me courage, since I am an adult student with no riding experience. I sat the trot a few weeks ago for the first time and nearly cried with joy. I can hardly wait to fly with you! Peg

[Blkarab]

Thank you guys for all of your wonderful replies!

It has been quite the journey. Last week, I had two lessons with a clinician, and it was really wonderful. Lots of really nice compliments (which really means a lot coming from her!). I ride with this trainer about once, every other month. She comes up to work with my instructor. They keep each other in check, and since they ride at the same level they are able to collaborate in my training as well, so everyone is on the same page. Her training style is a bit different, and it's nice to have a different perspective.

I have a lot freer feeling in my hips after riding the canter, and I seem to have acquired a better feel for where my seat bones should be. The most amazing feeling is the energy from the horse. Wow! I just wonder what took me so long to relax into this and enjoy it. Now that some of the paralysis from fear is gone, being able to sit back and enjoy the ride just makes me smile!

I had a lesson today, and it went well. I didn't ride my mare today (although I wanted to...) it was so blasted hot here and after the lesson on the schoolmaster, I was just too beat (and a little sickly) to ride her :(
It actually ended up being a wise decision, weather here has just been strange. We are under a tornado warning currently, and it's been an unsettled day. My instructor lunged my girl, and she was a mess, so we probably wouldn't have the best ride under the circumstances.

Thanks guys for all of your really wonderful comments! It means so, so much!

To all the new adult riders, just hang in there. It takes us a bit longer to get our bodies to do what our minds know is right. We have more fear and more baggage. We have more responsibility too. But the little moments of accomplishment are what makes it all worthwhile! I see the softness in my mare's eyes and realize that I keep working at it for her and for myself!

Blkarab

[Blkarab]

What a story! You give me courage, since I am an adult student with no riding experience. I sat the trot a few weeks ago for the first time and nearly cried with joy. I can hardly wait to fly with you! Peg

Way to go PEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cool::winkgrin:

You'll be flying soon too!

Blkarab