Friday, February 5, 2010

Riding Lesson #3 with Pics


Riding lesson number three! And once again, I almost died. Once again, I absolutely loved it. My number one recommendation for those thinking of taking up the sport of English riding is to- for heaven's sake- take a months worth of cardio classes first!

(Just call me "Stumpy")
Of course it doesnt help that I'm grossly out of shape. But for the first time in along time I feel like I am on my way to feeling good, both physically and mentally. It just sucks that it take so damn long to get to where I need to be! A very kind fellow horseman, friend and photographer was around this evening to take some pictures of me riding. I've posted two of three. The third was just... not... flattering....even though it was a really nice photo.


That pretty paint I'm riding is Dustin, he's such a sweetie, I just love riding him. It's a good thing too because I find it difficult to stay on the top side of this guy and breathe at the same time let alone do some of the simpler things like directing, posting and keeping my hands up (which I'm not doing in the above photo.) Did I mention that it is necessary to breathe while riding? Funny thing, that.

Do you find it hard to ride and breathe at the same time?


Love,
Stumpy

23 comments:

  1. I think you look great! If I worried about how I look in the saddle, I'd never ride at all.

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  2. You look fine - no, you look great! You go, girl!

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  3. Looking good! And Dustin is a handsome guy. I always love it when people say riding is not exercise, it's just sitting on top of a horse. Breathing could be slightly important,if you can take deep breathes it will relax you and the horse. If you don't do it all the way round the ring,practice just breathing in the corners.Ha, just kidding.

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  4. Breathing! What a novel concept! I definitely used to stop breathing if I was concentrating on accomplishing something. My problem used to be that I tip forward at the lope, my old coach was big on using inhales and exhales to remind you where you body needs to be.

    Once we spent half an hour, me just loping around the arena, every exhale I was supposed to lean back a little further, it worked! It kept me thinking about it, and it kept me breathing.

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  5. You are looking good. Breathing and riding...why is it the minute we get on a horse we sometimes start holding our breath?

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  6. sing when you ride. can't not breath and sing!

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  7. I think you look pretty great (and I'm really not seeing the Stumpy bit). But, yeah, the breathing thing? It's kinda essential. ;)

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  8. Looks like fun! Makes me want to bust out my english saddle for kicks. It's certainly a whole other world after strictly riding western for any length of time! I felt WAY awkward last summer when I rode english at the little show I went to. I had to laugh at myself. A lot actually. ;)

    There were a couple people on my drill team that would ask various people that they rode next to during the drill to remind them to breathe when they got next to them because they were breath holders while loping thru the drill. Seems to be a pretty common phenomenon!

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  9. @Jayke - That's a really good tip. I'll remember that one!

    "Stumpy" - I've never had the problem of holding my breathe but... I have issues forgetting to BLINK. When I'm loping, jumping, or galloping I stop blinking! So when I halt, my eyes start gushing. Haha! Does anyone else have that problem?

    I rode bareback for four years in a drill team before ever sitting in a saddle. When I tried to teach myself to ride in a western saddle I'd fall off constantly! It was like riding on a chair on top of a horse!

    In conclusion: I think your riding is great, no matter how out of shape you think you are. :-) Its pretty amazing that you can stay on that horse!

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  10. Hey, you look pretty good! Hat's off to you for diving off the deep end. I would love to take some dressage lessons, but just can't squeeze it into my schedule yet. Hopefully you can keep getting some photos; it'll be great to follow your progress! Funny, I never think about the breathing part...

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  11. You look great! I am so glad you are loving the English lessons. Breathing and riding... I often hear my instructor yell to BREATHE! I am not sure why when riding, If I am concentrating on getting something right.. the breathing goes out the window.. and yes.. cardio is required..lol.. posting the trot is HARD sometimes.. especially when you have not done it in awhile..

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  12. "Stumpy" - sorry don't see it.

    I know when I go in to compete I have to remember to breathe. Its not so much that I stop breathing but that are start to breathe more shallow. So as I enter the arena I concentrate on taking a few really big, deep, rhythmic breaths.

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  13. WOW...nice to see you in the arena!You look great too!
    Yea..breathing can be difficult for me too...when I do I make this stupid face with my lips in a pucker...looks terrible in pics!
    With all that you have to remember sometimes that one thing is the hardest!
    KK

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  14. Remember to BREATHE, breathing is VERY important, stop breathing and you will tense up, breathe in time to your horses gait. Exhale and sink your horse will stop.



    http://www.horsemanmagazine.com/2008/10/interview-with-mark-rashid/

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  15. Look at you go girl!

    Yes, it take a while to get back into shape, but I've never found any other "exercise" as enjoyable.

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  16. Riding and breathing go hand in hand but most riders I know forget to breathe. It's my number on instruction on the rail when I see friends riding in a class......B R E A T H E ! ! ! !

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  17. OH you look GREAT!!! How much fun, and yes it's a great work out!! I rode the other day for the first time in months and was soooo sore afterwards. I would do it more, but it's raining again!!

    Keep it up, you'll be in shape in no time!

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  18. I just started riding in my english saddle again (you motivated me) and it is hard work, I am finding I have very little if any balance! Fortunatly I have a horse who doesnt mind and if I stop riding she stops, kinda annoying, but makes me think about what I am doing.

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  19. My Dad keeps asking me why I am still taking lessons after riding for 3 years. LOL! I've only ever rode English, I should get in a Western saddle on day just to see the difference. It is a great workout, I'll take my mare over the gym anyday.

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  20. Ha ha, loved the first line of this post. I can so related right now! Everytime I'm done trotting or cantering in my lesson my instructor asks how I'm doing and I (gasping for air) say "good." It is a workout! She does let me relax my legs a bit after a few rounds, she knows I'm out of shape and doesn't want me to have to use a walker to get to work on Monday!
    Have you been getting many rides in on Jewel? Are you going to take lessons on her or just Dustin? He looks like a great lesson horse.
    Anyway, I think you look great!! Wait 'til you see the picture I post tomorrow of me riding huntseat (not my lesson, but a different horse I rode today) my arms look something awful! :)

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  21. Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity. Words to live by- you are so brave!
    I am constantly telling my students- heels down, and breathe, straighten up and breathe... you get the picture. I have to remember to breathe myself some days! You;ll soon remember how!

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  22. Yeah, I hate when that breathing thing gets in the way of a good ride:-). You look great!

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  23. When on my first ride i got hurt, then i took help of a trainer who trained me how to ride.Now i am perfect in riding .
    Free horse classifieds

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