After our show this weekend I was prepared to bust my ass at this lesson! I woke up this morning cranky and just moved to b*tchy through out the day... I was worried that it was going to be a fight between me and Oz today, and I wasn't goiong to be in a learning mood. But as I'm greated by Andy the wonder dog at my vehicle, I smiled for the first time today. Got caught up on Brianne's trip to Alberta, and started to get my boy ready for our lesson.
I saw twine in Brianne's hand and cringed at the thought of my stirrups being tied to my saddle, I could feel the pain before I even got on. But I have to say within about 3 minutes, I loved it! I could do nothing but wrap my leg around my horse, and I wasn't fighting to keep my position. And within about 5 - 10 minutes I loved having them tied! Now forcing my heel down was a practice I didn't care for. Or when my stirrups were raced to jockey height! My calves felt like they were going to explode! But I have to say my balance felt so much better!
We worked over trot poles at a canter, and his canter I would say for 1/2 the lesson felt amazing. There was a few times that I felt like it was just sheer luck he stepped into the canter when he did, and other times that he felt out of control. But there was absolute moments of brillance and lightness and subtleness in him at a canter. Lately his canter has felt on the brink of control, with little lightness in it. But today it felt great, my balance felt so much better. So I think we will continue to practice with my stirrups tied and practicing two pointing at the jockey like position.
It was one of those lessons that you know it has to end, your body is screaming for it to end, your horse is begging for you to be done, but mentally you are having such a great time and are finally getting it that you don't want it to end.
Ozzy is just getting into such incrediable shape, which is resulting in him getting a bit harder to keep light and in control as he is feeling just absolutely awesome. He's looking amazing, and I'm starting to worry that summer is going to pass too fast and I'm only now starting to have things truly sink in.
Our show season is quickly passing by, I pulled the prize list for both IPE and PNE - and considering everything right now.... My vehicle will not pull us to the coast, and to have someone haul us we are looking at 800 - 1000 dollars. I hate gas prices right now!
But our next show is Lanyard Stables Fun Show... and we are looking forward to that!
New photos should be posted over the next few weeks as well, as I'm waiting for the Spring Fever Show photos to come in before I purchase any.