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.