Sunday, January 13, 2013

Getting back in the saddle.

I have been waiting so long for today to get here! I didn't go to bed until 1:00 a.m. last night but I woke up at 7:00 a.m. ready to go out to the barn for my lesson. Of course, I couldn't go out there that early, as my lesson wasn't until 11:00 a.m. I patiently anxiously waited for 10:00 a.m. to roll around so I could head out there.

I got there about 10:15 a.m., met my trainer, Carlo Graziani, and then met the horse I was going to ride, Giorgio.

 
I never asked what breed Giorgio is but I believe from the looks of him he is some kind of Warmblood. He is a tall boy, 17 hands high. I'm pretty sure he is the tallest horse I have ever ridden. My dad thought he looked kind of like a moose, especially his chest. Haha!
 
 
He isn't very photogenic... I could not get him to perk up or look alive for anything. I didn't try bribing with treats though, I may need to do that next time to get better pictures of him. I enjoyed riding him but he is super LAZY!! I knew today was going to be rough on my legs but I wasn't really prepared to have a lazy horse that I had to constantly apply my leg to to keep him going.
 
 
He is a really good boy besides the laziness. He knows what he is doing in the ring but it wasn't to the point where I just got to sit there and go along for the ride. I had to work, but that's going to help make me a better rider.
 
We started the lesson with a lot of transitions, walk to trot, trot to halt, trot to canter, canter to walk, etc. I think that Carlo was really trying to get a feel for where I am at and what I am capable of after taking a 4 year break from riding. After the transitions we did more cantering around the arena and then it was time for my favorite thing, jumping!
 
 
We didn't do to much jumping today (my legs will thank me for that) but we got a few in. Carlo had me trot over a little cross rail and then a small vertical, probably 2 feet high. Then we did a trot in, canter out line over those same two jumps a couple of times. I really like Carlo as a trainer, I think that his style of teaching really fits well with my style of learning. He is nice but I can tell he is also a tough trainer that will push you to try your hardest and do your best. He is very direct and to the point and that works well for me! I am definitely looking forward to my next lesson with him in two weeks.
 
I am pretty pleased with how today went! I was (and am) sore and tired and I know I probably won't be able to walk tomorrow, but I am so happy about getting back in the saddle again.
 
 
Here is a video I put together to share with everyone! I hope you enjoy watching me ride. Thanks to my Dad for taking all of these pictures and videos for me today! It was so nice to have him come out with me and watch me ride.
 

4 comments:

  1. I love all of the pictures! Looking at your pics made me miss riding!

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    1. Thanks Brittany! I know I missed it so much too!

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  2. How fun! Giorgio sounds like the star of a romance novel. He is a looker!

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  3. I know right?! I thought that was a funny name! He is a really nice looking horse. Kind of a bigger version of my own horse I used to have, Susie.

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