Third time is a charm

[PaulaO]

Last year I did a series of dressage lessons with a well-respected trainer who eventually decided there was no time for me. Last fall I entered into the shareboard that epically crashed and burned before it even started. Last month I started lessons with a hunt seat trainer (aka "English") and it seems to be working out. I've had 4 lessons, walk-trot. No lesson this weekend since she's at a show, but I can open ride, which means I can ride Ariel, the red-headed mare, in the arena without supervision. Walk-trot, but if she throws in a spontaneous canter I won't disapprove.

Seems like this is going to work out. I like the trainer, she challenges me but doesn't push, I like the barn (100 horses--boarding, lessons, kids, camp), and I like Ariel (a schoolie, therefore worth 10 times her weight in gold).

I swear I'm getting the rust breeches!

[Sunshine2Me]

The rust color breeches will match your rust colored horse!

[Ryeissa]

Rock the rust! So happy for you!

[Flight]

Get the rust breeches! Sounds like it's working nicely for you

[Chisamba]

If you like rust breeches, you should get them!!

[PaulaO]

Very nice ride this morning, mainly walk. There were 3 other riders in the arena, one on a horse recovering from a suspensory injury, so he was just walking. I could tell his rider was nervous and I don't blame her. The other two riders were Western, one teaching reining. This is all very new to me. I am used to riding alone! But Ariel was very good, only pulled a face when the Palomino got near her.

It was so enjoyable puttering around a barn and taking care of a horse.

[chantal]

Ooooh, awesome!! It's the best feeling in the world. Enjoy it!!

[martha sc]

I so wish I could find that near enough to be logical for me .

[fergusnc]

Yay!!!!! Sounds fantastic...so happy for you.

[PaulaO]

I did not have a lesson Sunday due to the heat index being over 100 and I would pass out and Ariel doesn't need to work in that either. I have an open ride scheduled for Thursday after work.

The weird thing (coincidence???) is that my lessons were on Sunday afternoon and Thursday evenings back in the 1980s when I started to ride. Seems like I'm back to that pattern. It feels right.

[VBOpie]

Thumbs up, Paula O!

[Tuddy]

We need pictures of this wonderful experience you are going through!

[PaulaO]

I will ask the trainer to do a photo shoot on Sunday. Ariel is 11 years old, chestnut, about 15 hands, I'm guessing a TB or TB cross. Very generic looking but she packs me around, doesn't spook, gives me confidence, and I loff her.

[piedmontfields]

A chestnut mare that you loff named Arial sounds like a very good thing indeed. Looking forward to photos!