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Personal Update & Photos from My Lesson
So this past Friday I had an AWESOME lesson riding my trainer's 23 year old firecracker of a TB, Fraju. He's seriously such an awesome horse, and ever since I met him when I was around 12 or so it has been a bit of a dream to ride him, so I'm super excited that it finally happened, and it went well! Being a red-headed TB, he's quite crazy, VERY forward, and keeps you on your toes for sure! But I found the ride to be immensely helpful and educational, as well as a huge boost to my confidence in terms of how I view my own abilities. It's been a very long time since I've ridden with this trainer, and she had a lot of really awesome things to say about my position, both on the flat and over fences, and praised me for my independent seat and upper body over jumps. I had never ridden a horse as forward and athletic as Fraju before, so it took a little while for me to ride TO the fences well, but trainer was impressed with my natural instinct to get out of his way over the jumps, both off his back and out of his mouth, when our approach wasn't good or Fraju didn't quite get his footing right. These comments had me grinning from ear to ear because I achieved it almost completely on my own, on my little Appendix mare, without a decent arena, riding mostly on the road and trails. Lots and lots of two point, cantering up hills, and a little bit of jumping over bushes. So my confidence level as a rider has improved significantly, especially since I was able to get over some nerves while jumping a hot-headed TB. We were literally walking up to jumps because otherwise Fraju would charge at them, and I would just release, relax my hips and close my lower leg and he would shoot out like a rocket and clear all the fences no problem. My own mare is really the only horse I've done much jumping on, and it was VERY different to ride Fraju, who has turbo rockets in his hooves, than Andie, who I have to help create that impulsion with.
After my lesson on Fraju, I took photos of the trainer with Odin, her now five year old gelding by her stallion, Yeager GF, and out of her mare, Witching Hour. I hadn't seen him under saddle before, and man, he is impressive to watch! He is MASSIVE with seriously the most goofy personality I have EVER seen from a horse.
And the icing on the cake was getting to ride baby Franka! She has been one of my favorite Yeager babies, so I was really happy I got to ride her! Man, if I had the money I would snatch her up in an instant. She is four years old and seriously the calmest, most level headed little girl, and one of the easiest horses I've ever ridden. Plus she is SUPER fancy. Fraju has very nice gaits, and he was really awesome to ride, but Franka was simply dreamy! Her trot was much floatier and dressage-y than Fraju's, and he's much bigger than her. She is such a loveable girl and really pleasant to ride. I'll keep dreaming, I guess!
Anyway, picture time! Feel free to critique my riding, always looking for ways to improve, especially since I'm working without a trainer a good part of the time.
One of my favorites. Love how happy he looks!
And baby Franka!
Cantering
One of my favorites!
And finally jumping the baby!
(Sorry for the picture spam, couldn't decide which ones I liked best!)
Franka is the youngest horse I have ridden (aside from being the guinea pig when trainer was backing a three year old several years ago - I was the first to hang off him/sit on him, but never did ride him), and although Franka is kind of an exception, it was kind of an honor to be trusted on a younger, more green horse. I'm going to ride a couple of my friend's horses tomorrow, a pony named Squirt, and her fancy horse, Sadie (don't remember the breed), which will just be a fun trail ride, but she specifically said "I would love to see someone with some skill ride Sadie," which makes me feel quite awesome! I am very proud of how far I've come, and very flattered by all the positive things people have said to me lately. My riding is the best its ever been, and that feels awesome!
FINALLY, my last bit of news, the reason I approached trainer in the first place was because I have the opportunity to take Andie XC schooling! My dream of eventing her this summer may finally come true, and I couldn't be more excited! It had been a while since I'd had a jumping lesson (probably almost a year), so I felt I should get a couple in before I take Andie schooling, and I've asked trainer to come with me to help me on the XC course. Even if all I do is school Andie XC this summer, I will be a happy camper!! :)
After my lesson on Fraju, I took photos of the trainer with Odin, her now five year old gelding by her stallion, Yeager GF, and out of her mare, Witching Hour. I hadn't seen him under saddle before, and man, he is impressive to watch! He is MASSIVE with seriously the most goofy personality I have EVER seen from a horse.
And the icing on the cake was getting to ride baby Franka! She has been one of my favorite Yeager babies, so I was really happy I got to ride her! Man, if I had the money I would snatch her up in an instant. She is four years old and seriously the calmest, most level headed little girl, and one of the easiest horses I've ever ridden. Plus she is SUPER fancy. Fraju has very nice gaits, and he was really awesome to ride, but Franka was simply dreamy! Her trot was much floatier and dressage-y than Fraju's, and he's much bigger than her. She is such a loveable girl and really pleasant to ride. I'll keep dreaming, I guess!
Anyway, picture time! Feel free to critique my riding, always looking for ways to improve, especially since I'm working without a trainer a good part of the time.
One of my favorites. Love how happy he looks!
And baby Franka!
Cantering
One of my favorites!
And finally jumping the baby!
(Sorry for the picture spam, couldn't decide which ones I liked best!)
Franka is the youngest horse I have ridden (aside from being the guinea pig when trainer was backing a three year old several years ago - I was the first to hang off him/sit on him, but never did ride him), and although Franka is kind of an exception, it was kind of an honor to be trusted on a younger, more green horse. I'm going to ride a couple of my friend's horses tomorrow, a pony named Squirt, and her fancy horse, Sadie (don't remember the breed), which will just be a fun trail ride, but she specifically said "I would love to see someone with some skill ride Sadie," which makes me feel quite awesome! I am very proud of how far I've come, and very flattered by all the positive things people have said to me lately. My riding is the best its ever been, and that feels awesome!
FINALLY, my last bit of news, the reason I approached trainer in the first place was because I have the opportunity to take Andie XC schooling! My dream of eventing her this summer may finally come true, and I couldn't be more excited! It had been a while since I'd had a jumping lesson (probably almost a year), so I felt I should get a couple in before I take Andie schooling, and I've asked trainer to come with me to help me on the XC course. Even if all I do is school Andie XC this summer, I will be a happy camper!! :)