Equestrian Team Fall - Day 2

It was just me and another new girl, Layla, tonight! I hope my lesson isn't always half empty. On one hand it's nice to get more attention, but then it's not as fun driving there and back!

So while Stacy figured out where Layla was in her riding abilities, she let me start jumping again this week. I feel like for the most part my flat work is solid. My leg strength in picking up a canter is getting better and resulting in a quicker transition, but the downward transition can still use some more work. Nothing I won't be able to fix in time for Notre Dame in 3 more weeks though! I can't believe competition is coming up this fast. Then we have a huge break until about March when it picks back up for I think 3 more shows.

Working on my jumping position tonight, I really need to strengthen my back and core. Every jump I felt like I was getting left behind, and then when I started to think about it, I started hunching over again. It wasn't until the last jump that I got my position perfectly, but I'm still glad I got it! Now I know what it's supposed to feel like and can aim for that and perfect it until I can point up into the jumping classes, which hopefully happens by the end of the school year. I'd be really bummed if I had to show all flat classes senior year. Then I would just have to buy my own jumper to be able to show and as a recent college grad I certainly wouldn't be able to afford that!

Equestrian Team Fall - Day 1

Tonight was my first lesson with the team since I got back to school. The team was at a show last weekend and I'm proud to say that they did super well! No blue ribbons, but we got some red ones and other nice placings =] There was never a class we didn't place in, so I take that as a victory!

I was the only driver tonight and there was only one other girl in my lesson, Emily. She's super nice and a senior, so I'm kind of bummed she won't be here riding next year! But she's a beginner, even though she played polo in England. I didn't know this, but apparently playing polo doesn't require much skill other than staying on, going fast, and neck reining other than trying to hit the ball. It was nice being the more experienced hunter/jumper in the lesson for once though =]

I rode Tommy again tonight and she rode Chris (it's so weird when horses are named after people...). Tommy was being a little bratty, so I had to use a crop. But Stacy told me I did a fantastic job tonight. My upwards transitions are great, but I need to work on the downward from canter to trot. Apparently I stick my legs out in front of my like I'm trying to skid to a stop while on the horse when I make that downward transition, so I need to fix this, obviously. No jumping today because Stacy was trying to figure out where Emily is in experience, but next week I will be jumping again. Hopefully we get more people in our lesson too!

I just am so thrilled that Stacy kept telling me at the end of the lesson how great I rode. It makes me feel super awesome, like I'm gonna kick butt at the show at Notre Dame next month. I can't wait until next week's lesson!

I'm bummed that I won't be out riding this week, and next weekend they're getting shoes put on, so I'll only get one day of riding. =[ I'm gonna miss my horsies this weekend.