Review

Review so far

I've now ridden a dozen times since taking it up again, 3 hacks, the Red Letter Day, and 8 lessons. After today’s lesson, I had two realisations, whilst not exactly life-changing, they have changed how I’ve viewed my riding.

Firstly, that I’m a better rider now than I was when I shared Oscar in my 20’s. When I started riding him I hadn’t ridden for about 5 years, and I only ever hacked him out, usually once a week. Given that he was spooky and took advantage a lot (despite being just 15.1hh!) my riding skills did improve over the time I shared him, but only in terms of ‘coping’ and dealing with his behaviour. In terms of position, aids, and riding correctly, I fear my bad habits just got worse.

I may even be better now than when I shared Arctic in my teens. I was a more regular rider then, as I was at the yard almost every day, and slightly more confident, but I was never the type who’d be out jumping 3’ classes each weekend. I worked out the other day that in my whole life, I’ve ridden about a dozen courses – a one day event (I won!), a showjumping class (2nd!), two classes where I was eliminated for jumping the wrong course, and a handful of tiny clear rounds. Whilst I’m not up for jumping a 2’3” course right now, I daresay it won’t be long until I could (if I was forced to!).

So it’s about time I stopped using the ‘rusty rider’ excuse. I’m not rusty any more; I’m just not very experienced. I’m currently riding 2-3 times a week, and I haven’t done that for 15 years, as I only had Oscar once a week. If I wasn’t rusty when I had Oscar, I’m certainly not now.

I do regret abandoning lessons too quickly. But I was 14 - clearly I knew it all, and had no need to stay at a riding school. I was ready to go out and share a horse, and there was no reason to continue learning anything. Hmmm.

If I’d even had the odd lesson after that, I might feel better about my abilities now. Today, Sarah told me to half halt before asking for canter. I felt most embarrassed when I had to ask her how, as although I’ve heard of a half-halt, I’ve never been taught how to do one, or when to use it.

But last Sunday proved to me that I am better than I think. Sitting on a forward going horse, the old me would probably have freaked out (and freaked the horse out too), but I was fine. She didn’t exactly play me up, but I felt perfectly capable of dealing with it if she did.

In terms of horse management though, I do feel very ‘out of it’, and that’s perhaps the missing piece. With Arctic, I spent every spare moment at the yard, and would usually do the chores for him plus all the others (it was a small yard). Oscar was DIY, so again, on my day, I did everything. Now, I get excited (as last Sunday) when I’m allowed to tack a horse up myself. It’s not quite the same, and simply riding horses is not enough for me.

The other realisation is that I’m trying too hard. The main reason I was disappointed with today’s lesson is that I was expecting too much. As I’ve continually been improving, I’ve continually been raising the bar as to what I think I should be able to do. I need to consolidate my progress and build on it, not expect to suddenly move on to the next step.

And mentally, I’m a perfectionist. Which is frustrating as I don’t have the ability to achieve it. It occurred to me today that ever since I’ve started riding again, I’ve been trying to do everything properly to the extent that I’m always aiming for subtlety in my aids. But the main issue with that is that my aids aren’t effective in the first place, so there’s no point trying to be subtle.

Before I start trying to look like I’m just sitting there communicating telepathically with the horse, I need to work out how to get my legs, seat and hands to send the messages in the first place, before trying to make them invisible. Again, get the basics sorted first then start to work on finesse.

Chessington 8

29th June 2010

Chessington Equestrian Centre, Chessington

As we walked to the school, Sarah asked me how the lessons had been going. I replied that it was a case of a couple of good lessons, then a bad one. That seemed to set the tone for another bad lesson.

That's actually a very unfair thing to say, with hindsight, but at the time I really felt like I was struggling, and was getting frustrated at my inability to properly communicate with the horse.

I was on Sam, a working livery that I hadn’t ridden before. I was warned that he may be a bit spooky, but he didn’t look at anything the whole time I was on him.

We started trotting at what seemed to be a fair pace, but I was immediately urged by Sarah to push him on, and get more energy and impulsion. By the time we had got to a satisfactory speed, I felt like we were careering round the school at a super-fast (uncomfortably so) trot. But it was more to do with Sam having such a short stride and being a bit reluctant to stretch out.

I had so much trouble with my stirrups today. The slipping through, and losing the stirrups has always been an issue, but has lessened as I’ve progressed. Today I rode in safety stirrups for the first time, with the big bulge on the side, and I absolutely hated them. They felt so uncomfortable and wrong, my feet kept slipping through, and my leg never felt in the right place, despite trying 3 different holes on the leathers. Maybe I was just having one of those days, but having admired the safety stirrups from afar in the past, I was most disappointed to find that I basically can’t ride in them.

Sam was actually quite nice to ride, despite the stirrup issues and the ’fast’ trot. As Sarah urged me to use my leg on him, I really felt him respond and do as I asked, although if I stopped ‘riding’ him, he soon got lazy.

He did have a lovely comfy canter, and I managed to canter quite a few laps of the arena and do some circles without breaking to trot. We did a lot of work on transitions, and there was improvement over the duration of the lessen, although there was a bad patch at one point where I was faffing with my stirrups, not sure whether I wanted to be trotting or cantering, and poor Sam didn’t have a clue what to do. We carried on round, but very messily.

Sarah commented at the end that I’d definitely improved since her last lesson (3 lessons ago) and I felt that was probably true. No matter how untidy I’d felt during the lesson, I was doing things that I wouldn’t have managed a couple of weeks ago. For example, starting to get flexion in the neck, and get him working between my hand and leg - something I’ve heard of, but never been taught before.

Interestingly, during most of my lessons there is a group lesson going on in the adjacent school, and I spend quite a lot of time during my lesson observing what they’re doing and comparing to myself. Today, I must have been focusing so hard on my own riding, as I couldn’t tell you a thing about the other lesson, not even how many were in it, I just know that by the time I finished, the other school was empty...  

Cullinghood

27th June 2010

Cullinghood Equestrian Centre, Pangbourne

So it was Steve’s Christmas present to me of a gift voucher for riding lessons that re-ignited my love for horses. In keeping with the theme, my birthday present from Steve was another riding experience, this time he would be riding with me (no it wasn’t his choice!).

We booked through Red Letter Days (following a recommendation from Poppy) some time ago, and put it to the back of our minds as it was so far away. Yet all of a sudden, this weekend, it was here. Three hours of riding, with two hours for lunch in the middle. What could be better, on the hottest day of the year…?

We arrived in good time, and were impressed with the facilities – two large schools, cross country course, miles of post and rail turnout, and plenty of stabling. All on pancake flat land. With over 400 acres, plenty of on site hacking too.

The office was clearly signed, and we were offered a warm welcome. Hat check, loo stop and time to get on board.

I was on Polly, a small (15.1hh ish?) chestnut mare, and looking far less bulky than the weight carriers I was more used to. I questioned her ability to carry my weight, but was reassured that she would be fine. The guy who led her out to me warned she was very quick off the leg and needed gentle hands. Ok, I could do that.

Steve was on a skewbald called Murphy, and there were two other riders with us. One had ridden a couple of times as a child, but the other (and Steve) had never sat on a horse before. This led to the amusing situation of me (a bad a rider as I am) being used as the demonstrator.

We walked over to the school, and the other three were at first led around, whilst being taught the basics and practising lots of turns and changes of rein. Polly was lovely to ride, very willing to move forward, and very responsive. I actually had to slow down her walk, as we kept leaving the others far behind. This frustrated me as I constantly seek an active walk and usually it’s a battle to get one, so to be given one without trying, then have to slow it down seemed a shame.

We progressed onto trotting, and the others were led round individually, with me giving them all a lead round up front, so that Polly was working fairly hard. Steve I think was a bit overwhelmed at how hard riding actually was – he commented afterwards that he expected you’d feel so much more secure in the saddle, but he felt like he may tip off at any point. It’s funny how quickly you learn to balance though.

All three made an effort at rising trot, and Polly and I had a couple of canters – good transitions, and lots of energy, though she was rushing a bit too much and again I had to work to slow her up.

My position was fairly good, but I think I was very conscious of being correct as Mark, the instructor, kept telling everyone to look at ‘Jane’ (he got it wrong and as I didn’t correct him the first time, I felt too embarrassed to correct him later, so I became Jane all day) to see how it should be done.

Once we’d been in the school for an hour or so, Mark asked if I wanted to go out on a proper hack with him rather than a ‘walkabout’ with the others. But as I was there to spend the day with Steve on a horse, I opted to stay with the group. We went straight out from the school and along some of the wooded tracks through the grounds – it was a really lovely place to ride, and the shade was much appreciated on the hot day.

We had one of the leaders with us, just in case, and Mark was also on foot. As he was walking back with the others, I was effectively leading the ride, and had to keep checking back to make sure I wasn’t going too fast (I was).

We had a couple more trots, which I think went ok for everyone, no-one fell off anyway, then we reached the bottom of the gallops. Polly seemed to have forgotten that she was in the company of beginners, as she started getting fizzy and excited, only to have to walk along them instead of fly along. I got the feeling though that she’d be a great one to take on a fast hack.

We then headed back to the school for another 10 minutes or so as one of the fields we were going to ride through had horses in, and the others got to practice trotting again, and I got to canter a few circles.

Then it was back to dismount, untack and wash off the horses – something they were keen to involve the riders in.

Lunch was sat outside the farmhouse, and consisted of melon, lasagne and ice cream – all of which was gobbled up, then we had some time to kill before riding again. Mark then asked if we wanted to start earlier, so that we’d be able to see more of the football, so we all did.

I was then given Boston’s saddle and bridle and invited to tack him up myself. I was actually quite disappointed not to be back on Polly, as she’d been so great. Boston was a 16hh (isn) grey and was actually the first horse I’d tacked up since I last rode Oscar 7 years ago next month.

Steve and the other guy had been swapped, so Steve was now on Barley, a lovely bay. The other girl was on a new horse too. As we started earlier, Mark was teaching someone else and so a new guy, Paul, walked out with us.

I must confess now to getting a little stroppy. Boston was nowhere near as forward going as Polly, and I was really having to work him. Paul was walking beside me, and I felt like I was being led. Paul kept trying to make conversation and I was just getting grumpier and grumpier, and wishing I’d gone on a  proper hack.

But it wasn’t Paul’s fault – he hadn’t seen me ride earlier, so didn’t know I could ride, and I’d booked on a walking hack, how was he to know I didn’t need someone there ready to clip a lead rope on.

But he did eventually say I was fine, and dropped back to walk beside Steve. This seemed to free both myself and Boston, and we walked out a bit more energetically. Having not seen anyone ride, Paul only let us walk for most of the hour, then we had a little trot on the way back to the school.

I was then allowed back into the school to have a quick canter on Boston, but it was so hot, and he was so ploddy that it wasn’t very satisfying. I managed to get a canter out of him on both reins, but from his point if view, he’d gone out on a walk in the hot sun, and now he was back the last thing he wanted to do was go into the school and run around. We went once on each rein and left it at that.

Back to the yard and stripped them all off and washed them down, then we were asked if we could turn them out. We then got a lesson on turning out. I did cringe at this, but again, the girl telling us what to do had no idea that I’d had horses before, and actually I guess you do need to think about what you’re doing, to save getting into the field and getting carted off when someone lets theirs go before yours.

Boston was in a separate paddock anyway, so I walked there with Paul and made a point of asking him loads of questions and being chatty to make up for being rude earlier.

We left feeling very satisfied, if a little thirsty, and headed straight to the nearest pub for a much needed drink and to catch up on the football. Steve had enjoyed himself, but had a far greater appreciation for horse riding, having previously though, as so many do, that you get on, kick and pull and get off when you’re done.

The main thing that bothered him was how out of control he felt (the beginners’ horses kept stopping to eat, and the riders were pretty powerless in stopping them). He couldn’t quite get over the concept that you’re trying to make this huge beast do what you want rather than what they want, and found it quite intimidating. I tried explaining that that was exactly why getting them to willingly do what you want was such a good feeling, but it may take a bit longer. He’s not sure he’ll be riding again in a hurry, but hasn’t ruled it out completely.

I really enjoyed the day, and was impressed by the set up. I did feel a little disappointed with the afternoon ride, as I was expecting to ride Polly again, who had made the earlier walkabout more fun, but being on Boston seemed more like hard work with little reward. But then it was so much hotter in the afternoon, and it did me good to have to work hard again.

It did give me a bit more confidence in my ability to ride different horses, as I haven’t ridden such a forward going horse since my teens, and I just enjoyed it rather than felt scared. That said, if I had gone on a fast hack with Polly, I probably would have **** myself…

Chessington 7

24th June 2010

Chessington Equestrian Centre, Chessington

Today I had a fabulous lesson. For the first time back,  I felt like I was really riding.

I was on Patchwork today for the first time. He's apparently the easiest and most comfortable horse on the yard. He certainly seemed that way to me.

After warming up, Leon said I was ready for joining the group lesson next time, and I immediately said no, citing the fact that I usually struggle to keep a canter going for even a lap and can't make circle-shaped trot circles, whilst the group lesson did all sorts of shapes, in canter, and always jumped.

Of course that set the tone for the rest of the lesson. Leon was out to prove that I could do all that.

And mostly without stirrups (intentionally rather than me losing them). I loved it. I *can* ride. Sitting trot stirrupless was fine, and I showed off by doing rising trot without stirrups. Then I cantered stirrupless, including lots of circles. It was only two weeks ago that I cantered a 20m circle for the first time.

I sat tall, (mostly) had my shoulders back, and (mostly) kept my legs long. And bloody enjoyed it. A few times I felt like we were motorbiking around the corners, as it was Patch's weaker side, but even that improved.

We finished by going over a couple of cross poles, though I can't really say he properly jumped over them.

Patch was superb, a lovely easy ride who was very responsive. I can see why he's a favourite.

I've already booked another couple of weeks of private lessons, but after that, I may run out of excuses not to join the group lesson. Eek.

And today, as Leon was teaching another lesson straight away, I was able to untack Patch and wash him off. I even went into the tackroom for the first time. Small things...

Chessington 6

22nd June 2010

Chessington Equestrian Centre, Chessington

The lesson that wasn't...

After last week's dabacle, I didn't dare bike there again, so got the train even though my lesson was 15 minutes later than usual, so I'd be hanging around for half an hour before my lesson. I want to spend more time there though, and get used to just being around horses agin, as so far I've just pretty much got on ridden, and got off again each time.

I watched the helpers lesson for a while, then had a chat in the office about the options of sharing one of the RS horses.

The lesson ended, and it was time for mine. Usually the horse is brought out for me to get on, but this time as I knew I was riding Tom, and knew which one he was (kinda essential) I wandered over to him myself and asked if I could bring him out myself. Small thing, but I hadn't done it before and wanted to check it was ok!

Leon then asked if he could have a quick break, to which I reminded him I'd been late last time and couldn't really complain, and then he asked if I could get myself on.

OK, now anyone with a horse or indeed who helps at a RS will be wondering what I'm going on about, but - having only been given a horse at the mounting block, and having someone else do my stirrups and my girth - finally being able to get the horse myself, get on myself, sort my stirrups myself, do up my girth myself, and then walk into the school and start warming up myself, is progress! Yes, I've done it all before, but not since I started riding again.

The lesson was very short-lived. After moving into trot, I noticed that he seemed to be nodding slightly up front. I asked Leon if he was slightly lame, and he said he seemed stiff. After a few more laps, it was clear he was getting worse, and so the lesson ended.

But for the time that I was on him, he seemed completely different to last Thursday. My heart sank a little when I was told I was on Tom, but he was great. I asked for an active walk and got one. He didn't stray around the track, he trotted as soon as I asked and walked as soon as I asked. Very responsive and didn't make me feel like a useless lump. The lesson may have been short, but it gave me some confidence back.

And I asked Leon some more about sharing and got an enthusiatic response. I will need to go out on a few hacks with them first (which I'd been planning to do anyway) but there may be a couple of suitable horses available now. If not, then at least they know I'm interested.

When I started riding again, I hadn't planned to spend much time at a riding school, least of all share a horse at one, but the facilities there are great, the hacking (so I hear) is good, the instructors are good and I can get there easily enough.

I'm not going to be in a position to buy a horse for along while yet, and couldn't even commit much time to sharing/loaning, so it may be that sharing a RS horse may be the best of both worlds.

Chessington 5

17th June 2010

Chessington Equestrian Centre, Chessington

Hmm. Seems a case of two steps forward, one step back. The last two rides (hack and lesson) went quite well, so I guess it was time to have another disappointing trot around.

It started badly – having avoided cycling for the best part of 18 months since my crash, I decided that getting the train was too much hassle, and it was about time I cycled to the yard. I measured an indirect, but easier to navigate route of about 10 miles beforehand, but I got lost twice through Ewell and ended up arriving late.

I had no idea what time it was, as I’d left plenty of ‘spare’ time, and don’t wear a watch, but as I arrived I saw the group lesson had already started, and figured I must be fairly late. I was to be riding Tom again today, and he was tacked up and waiting with Leon.

Unfortunately I was not ready, I needed a shoe and hat change, but more importantly my legs wanted a break. Having not cycled for so long, to do a 16 mile ride (including diversions!), on a fixie (one gear and no freewheel) as my other bike needed attention, and on a hilly route, my legs were full of achiness.

I don’t know if it was Tom, or me, or both, but we didn’t really click today. I usually have trouble keeping horses on the track, as they tend to try and cut corners, Tom was the opposite, and kept veering off to the fence, meaning my legs got a battering more than once. Eventually I realised that by swapping my whip to the outside we would move better.

My position was (I think) better. My knees were out, I only started losing my stirrup with cantering, but with the adrenalin rushing through me I think I lapsed into old habits of tipping forward. Most of the lesson was in trot, with a couple of attempted canters but Tom really wasn’t in the mood and I wasn’t strong enough to get after him. We managed a couple of canters on the right rein, where he was less stiff, but we left it at that.

Went over trotting poles a few times, and did some circles, but really, it wasn’t an impressive half hour. I was a mess, Tom didn’t want to be there, and I was quite relieved to get back on my bike and leave. This time I didn’t get lost.

Racing (running) all weekend, so not riding again until next Tuesday. At least I know the way now…

Ridgway 3

13th June 2010

Ridgway Stables, Wimbledon Common

This was the last of the 'gift voucher' rides. There were 5 riders and the escort today, by far the largest group I have ridden in since I was a teenager. I was a little nervous, not only about myself, but I didn't know the other riders' capabilities, and I wasn't sure if the ride would be a gentle walk for beginners, or a mad gallop about everywhere with out of control horses. I needn't have worried, everyone was quite capable, and we had a brilliant ride. This was led by the 'usual' escort, who has been with the yard for 16 years but happened to be on holiday when I'd ridden there previously. I had been thinking that I may not bother going back to Ridgway again, but with Janice leading the ride, I'd quite happily go back whenever I have a spare gap in a weekend but not enough time to get to Chessington. I was again riding Wallace, and apart from a couple of nappy bits at the beginning and not being so active in walk, he did a perfect impression of a push button ride. Whenever I asked for an upwards transition, he did it. Whenever I asked for a downwards transition, he did it. Whenever I asked him to move to the side of the path, he did it. I don't know if it was because he was in a good mood, or if I've just improved, but I loved, loved, loved this ride. We started out and finished in walk, but the majority of the ride was in trot and canter, with a couple of walk breaks. The trot felt ever so comfortable today, and I got back to the effortless rising that was so noticeably absent at first. We had a couple of individual canters, and for both of mine, apart from one break into trot, they went well and I was complimented with 'nice canter' and 'smooth canter'. The others got constructive criticism, so I don't think she was just saying it to be nice. We also had half a dozen longer group canters, and having spent so much time running over the common in the last few years, and looking enviously at the horse-riders, today I was one of the riders cantering along through the woods and the golf course. And they were glorious canters. My bum was glued to the saddle, my knees were open, and my lower legs were in the correct position. I didn't tip forward, and I held my hands correctly. Sarah and Leon would be pleased to know that for almost all of the ride my thumbs were on top, I was sitting tall, and I didn't lose my stirrups a single time, despite the fact that when I mounted they felt comfortable so I immediately let them down a hole. I think with most of my other recent rides, I've been quite glad when they ended, as I was getting tired and sore. Today though, I would have quite happily ridden all day.

Chessington 4

10th June 2010

Chessington Equestrian Centre, Chessington

This was my 2nd lesson in 3 days, and I think increasing the regularity of riding will really help. It was my first lesson with Sarah, and I was back on Luran again. Things started off slowly, and I realised how lazy he was and that with my ‘weak lower legs’ (quoted from Sarah) it was going to be another tiring session. Lower leg is getting much better. I’m really trying to turn my knee out, and although I’m still losing the position in trot, my stirrups are staying put for longer. Lots of trotting, and lots of encouragement from Sarah to use my whip to tap the shoulder if need rather than constantly nagging with my legs. I’m never quite sure what to do, as I’ve variously been told to nudge every stride, and conversely not to touch unless needed. Apart from a general lack of impulsion and energy, the trot was going quite well after a while. Onto canter, and after being asked how my canter was and replying that the transitions were basically shambolic, it actually went quite well. I also found it easier to get canter in the first place, and to maintain the pace, whether that was an improvement on my part or because Luran was perhaps easier, I don’t know. I managed to canter a few laps without breaking to trot, and also (I think for the first time) cantered a couple of 20m ‘circles’. My hands were picked on today, I need to carry them higher and ‘give’ them less in the canter. Sarah was very good, as she kept nagging at me and reminding me what to do, so regular shouts of ‘hands’, ‘leg’ and ‘whip’ rang out across the arena. I do seem to need the constant nagging, but hopefully soon it will all become habit and I’ll do it automatically. I really enjoyed this lesson, the canters were certainly the best I’d had since riding again, and I felt much better and in position more – possibly helped by lots of cantering where I found it comparatively easy to keep my knee out and lower leg on. My leg was staying in position much more, and although my heels inevitably started rising again after a while, I was able to maintain the correct position for much longer. Hacking again on Sunday, which is my last ride at Wimbledon for the time being.

Chessington 3

8th June 2010

Chessington Equestrian Centre, Chessington

Back at Chessington once again, and this time I was on Harvey, a chunky skewbald. In the main school this time, and warming up and trotting at first was very hard work, as I don’t have the strength in my legs to use them effectively yet. Once I was given a whip however*, it was much easier, and we started actually going along the track rather than cutting all the corners and ends. Did I mention I’m a pretty ineffective rider?

Again, apart from walking to warm up and down, the majority of the lesson was in trot and canter. This time however, I found it much easier, and didn’t struggle with fitness as much as I did the first time.**

I actually volunteered to lengthen my stirrups at the beginning, and although I did still keep losing them, for the time that my leg was in position and the stirrup was on the ball of my foot, it did feel very comfortable and ‘right’. Well that’s progress anyway.

Harvey was quite forward going for a ‘school horse’ type. I can imagine that for someone who applied the aids a little better, he’d be a lovely ride. I’ll find out one day. I did have a good ride anyway, it was just hard work as I’m still struggling to use my legs properly, and I’m sure he was getting mixed messages. And any horse that realises they have a sack of spuds on top is going to get lazy and not work properly.

Trot-canter transitions are still pretty messy, although we got a couple of decent ones by the end. I’m still tipping forward when I ask, and then throughout the canter, so mostly the horse then falls into a fast unbalanced trot. I think it comes from years of hacking, when we’d get to a canter spot, I’d lean slightly forward, and we’d be off, no aids necessary. I did manage to get a couple of laps without losing the canter though by the end.

There was definite improvement. It felt more natural again, though I still struggle with a hatred of riding in a school. I think it will wear off though.

I get frustrated when I know what I want to do, I know how I want to ask the horse, but yet I can’t do it properly. Leg position has improved, but they do keep slipping up – I need to keep the stirrups in place, and keep my leg long. Weight. In. Heels. Still need to sit up, and keep my shoulders back. No comments about my hands/arms yesterday, but I know I need to work on the contact. Get the legs and seat right first though.

I’m back again on Thursday, then hacking at Wimbledon on Sunday, and then have booked twice weekly evening lessons for the rest of the month.

I’m sure I will see a huge improvement by then. 

*Note to self – always carry a whip

** Note to self – general fitness does not equate to riding fitness

Ridgway 2

30th May 2010

Ridgway Stables, Wimbledon Common

Finally, being in the saddle felt natural again! Hurrah! I first rode at Ridgway in March, and since then have ridden just twice - both times have been lessons at Chessington. I wasn't sure what to expect this time, as I wasn't the nervous 'I haven't ridden in 6 years' person that I was last time here, but neither had I progressed much further. We arrived in good time, but not too early, so this time the yard was open and we didn't have to wander about trying to find a way in. The first issue was that I was wearing a vest top. Apparently health and safety means I have to cover my shoulders when riding, just in case I fall off and get gravel rash. Having had gravel rash from falling off a bike, and nearly ending up in hospital with septacemia, I understood the implications but was not convinced of the risk. Chessington didn't have a problem with the same outfit on Thursday. Anyway, I was happy to comply, but that would have meant wearing my coat, which would have been uncomfortably hot. Steve saved the day by stripping and lending me his t-shirt. And got a phwoar from the YO for his efforts. My hero... I had been worried about riding in a group on the hack, as I've only ridden with one or two others at a time in the last 15 years. Of course, being the anti-social type, it wasn't the riding in a group I was concerned about, it was the prospect of having to make conversation with my fellow riders. In the event, there were only two other riders and the escort, Kat, and as the horse in front of me was a moody mare kicker, I had to keep my distance so no conversation was required. The other two riders were regulars at the yard (one had ridden the same horse yesterday) and I think they were reasonably new riders but competent, so I neither felt like I was holding them back nor being held back myself. I was riding Wallace again, as I'd requested, and I was quite happy to be back in my short stirrups again, as there was no-one to tell me to lengthen them. I must get into the habit of riding longer though. Today felt much better on the horse - my leg position felt unforced, even with heels down and knees out. I was sitting comfortably, and overall, I lost the alien feeling that I'd had each time previously. I must keep remembering to pull my shoulders back though - Leon kept commenting on it during my lunge lesson, and when we had individual canters today, Kat commented on it too. The walk over Southside Common was fine, then when we got onto the common proper, we had a trot to warm up. This was the first time that things really fell into place, and everything felt natural, comfortable, and effortless. On the other three rides, I've quickly tired in trot, but today I could have carried on all day. Hands fine, rising was instinctive rather than forced, and I was able to squeeze my leg on when necessary. Although as the picture below (Steve was lurking on the common - if I'd known I would have been more vigilant with my position!) shows, tipping forward is still an ever-present issue. After a short walk, we had out first group canter. This was lovely, Wallace had a lovely forward canter, and I was able to just relax and enjoy. It was very dusty though, as the thick sandy soil on the track was so dry - even leaving a big gap to the horse in front meant I was riding through a dust cloud. Then we stopped and had individual rides - canter out for 50 yards or so, then trot back. I was a bit nervous here, as I felt I was being watched (I was!). My nerves made me tense up and my position went to pot. The first time was awful - Wallace veered off to the side in trot, and so I was trying to straighten him and transition at same time, got myself into a mess, tipped forward and eventually we fell into canter. The second attempt on a different path was much better. Having seen the horse before us have 3 attempts as the horse was taking the mick and just trotting fast, Wallace thought he'd just get on with it and do as I asked. Conscious of sitting up and shoulders back, I got a lovely trot-canter transition, but Wallace fell back into trot before I was done. We got a lovely turn though - the closest I've ever (unintentionally) got to a half pirouette. The thrid time was fairly close to home, and all three horses were playing up a bit by this point. Wallace was napping and walking backwards, so I was expecting the canter out to be messy. Once I'd got him forward, it was actually another nice transition, but the canter kept breaking into trot. Once we reached the end and turned round, he had a little spook and shot off, then was all over the place trotting back. This actually felt good for me, as it was the first 'challenge' I'd had since riding again, and I didn't get in the slightest bit nervous, which is what used to happen with Oscar. As he was a spooky sod, I spent most rides clinging on wondering where he was going to explode next. I really enjoyed the ride, and knew I would from the first few minutes - didn't feel it was too challenging, and in order to try and extend myself a bit, I played around by hanging back, and instead of trotting to catch up when the others did, would try and catch up by pushing his walk on. Little things and all that... We were all praised by Kat, and I was told afterwards that I had done really well on him, as he's stubborn at the best of times, and all of them were a bit difficult today. That helped my ever-growing confidence. I had planned that once I'd used up my gift voucher (one more group hack), I wouldn't come back here, but I'm not going to rule it out yet. I do really like Wallace - he's big and makes you feel safe, with with a stubborn enough streak that you need to keep working on him, you can't just sit there as a passenger. And whereas with Chessington, I'm out of the house for 3.5 hours for a 30 minute lesson (thanks to stupid train times and long walks either side of the train journey), here it's 30 minutes either side of the ride, including walking there and back. I can still try out WVS too if I want a bit of local variety. I really feel that riding Thursday and then again today has been so beneficial and the main reason why it's start to feel natural again. I did consider trying to fit in another lesson at Chessington before my next one Tuesday week, but with one evening free until then, I really need to start chopping other stuff out if I want to fit more riding in. Work?