Riding so much it hurts!

Kay, so. There is SO much going on, so much I'm doing, and so much I want to tell you about!
Once again, I'm exhausted. I thought I was exhausted doing my jobs in AUS but nope. Much more tired now.

I'm going to cram my next three riding lessons into this post, which is just a fraction of what I am doing and learning.

My second lesson was with Tina herself, which was initially intimidating, but she is a fantastic, encouraging coach that instils confidence.
I rode a little Tb called Ted (I say little, but he's still a good 15.2hh) which I found a LOT easier to sit to compared to Romeo.

Ted!

As all the coaches are starting to realise, my position is my greatest fault. Riding problem horses has made me a defensive rider, and any instruction I've had in AUS was basically useless in terms of position. 

Ted was a comfy, steady boy, so it was easy to make the adjustments I needed to. SUCH a difference. I have been unknowingly hindering horses for my entire life. 

Just to name a few things I'm currently working on changing:

• Core strength. Tummy UP, lower back soft, open chest and sitting on my pockets. 
• Quiet with the seat! Pushing with your seat will only tense the horse's back.
• Relaxed knees to allow the leg to drop down and under my hip
• Hands held wider (the width of my body) weight in the elbows, and more contact to catch the energy from my leg.
• Speaking of leg aids, less is more. Instead of increasing the strength of my aids, I must increase the tempo. 

I only had half an hour with Ted, as we were down a staff member and had a million things to do, but it was a great intro to position bootcamp. 

My next lesson, on the same day, was taught by Dawn. I rode Saphy, another TB , but a bit bigger. 

Saphy

Saphy is also a steady ride, but I must admit I really struggled to find her buttons. She wouldn't give an inch unless I really rode her, yet I had Dawn I instructing me to do less and let the horse do the work. Very tricky! 

We did plenty of transitions, focusing on keeping the connection throughout (I like to throw my reins away in the canter transition. Oops.) And holding my position. Killer on the core muscles. 

When asking Saphy to come into a frame, I felt a bit frustrated as I wasn't getting results, but we got there in the end. My fault, not hers. I didn't have enough contact, and was far too tense. 

So by this time I'm dead, still have yard work to do, and with the knowledge I'll ride/work just as hard the next day. 

My fourth lesson, on the third day was with Joao, the advanced coach who hails from Portugal. I watched one of his lessons the first evening here, so I knew to expect some tough love. 

I rode Romeo again (always seem to ride him when I want to make a good impression!) In a group lesson. 

After two lessons drilling my position, I felt I was riding much better, but of course this doesn't mean the work stops! 

We started by generating energy in the trot (all while constantly checking and changing my position) through medium trots, and then moved into a spiral circle exercise. 

Starting on a 20m circle until established, then 15m, and finally 10m. 

If you remember, Romeo is huge and not easy to supple and bend (and also super duper bouncy) I think I did a fair job, but my muscle weakness showed- I was wobbling around everywhere! My hands seemed to have a life of their own, and my core kept giving out and slumping my upper body forward. 

Swear to God, I'm going to come home with proper abs. 

We finished off with canter work. My transitions felt MUCH easier now that I am keeping contact better. I didn't need to chase Romeo into the canter at all- which was kind of an epiphany. 

That is what Dawn meant in my last lesson with Saphy! You shouldn't have to work hard if you are riding correctly and containing/controlling the energy being asked for. 

• Joao is a tough coach, but damn he gets results. He is quick to point out your faults and correct them, but just as quick to praise try. He is very supportive, and will definitely push my abilities to the limit- just what I need.

I'm going to go have some canned spag on toast for dinner now. The staple diet of a tired and poor gal. 

Until tomorrow!