Can we have an adult re-rider support group?

[HazelG]

Dewey thanks for the link. I looked at it, I would love for us (and anyone else that wants to join us) to do it together but I think I would have to modify it. Not sure I could fit in an hour a day every day!

ST omg thank you so much for posting those pictures. You look fantastic! It only makes me want to go there even more. Well 50 is coming very soon so I am saving my pennies to go.

Elizabuggy hang in there a few years. It is almost more fun watching your kids ride and show than it is doing it yourself. My son started taking lessons when he was 5 and my daughter was on a pony at 3. Her little legs didnt even reach the bottom of the saddle flaps! The kids are now 12 and 9 and it is great that we can all ride together. We have been blessed with unbelievable ponies that have taken care of the kids and taught them well. I will say though start saving now because 3 people showing is like the great big black hole for money, no retirement in sight for me any time soon!

Had a great lesson tonight, chilly up north here but not too bad tonight.

[Dewey]

Hazel, I think you are looking at week 10 instead of week 1. Click on the tab for week 1, and you will see that the program starts slowly and builds.

I got stuck in week 2 or 3 because I got busy with the beginning of the semester, but I still want to do it…or a variation of it. I think I will make some adjustments. I think I can do some stretching exercises in my office, so I can break it up into little chunks.

Let me know if you want to do it with me, and we can encourage each other. I wouldn’t mind starting back at the beginning.

I used to jog, but I never liked it, and I eventually developed a stress fracture in my foot, so I gave it up. I am going to do a variety of things for the aerobic section of the program: ride my bike, use my rowing machine, jump rope, walk. No jogging.

[rubygirl1968]

Dewey you’re definitely not alone in the fitness! It’s embarassing but I’m in terrible shape and have gotten much worse in just a year! I had this workout I was doing with a friend of mine that involves low weights, high reps and was doing and feeling wonderful, but she quit and I started working two jobs and quit too.

I hate to admit it, but I need someone to work out with me - it’s hard for me to do it solo, but I’ve got to get over it and just do it! Easier said than done, it seems, but I need some level of fitness again.

I’m going to go ride this afternoon. It’s not supposed to start raining til later this evening so hopefully I’ll have time to work on walk/trot transitions after work. Hopefully I can get a lesson Sunday and try cantering and not make a fool of myself. lol

[Dewey]

Well, Ruby, earlier in the thread I suggested we have a “fitness group” within this thread–you want to do it? The only thing I want to avoid is a lot of whining about wanting to look like a 20-year-old. To me, that is counterproductive. I want to feel good, get in shape, feel strong, and make my clothes fit again! Do you have any suggestions about how we can have a “virtual” exercise support group? Should we do weekly goals or something?

[rubygirl1968]

I think weekly goals would be good! Maybe by posting, I’ll hold myself more accountable and actually get them done instead of just thinking about them.

I’m like you - I want to feel good, have more strength and feel better in my own skin. No whining about a 20 year old body here! I don’t think I ever had one anyway. :lol:

[Dewey]

OK, how do you want to do this? Should we all agree on a day to post and call it “exercise update” or something similar?

[WIExpat]

I’d be interested in doing this! When I got engaged in 2009, I started working out, and working out big time. Was running 15-20 miles a week, free weights, doing Weight Watchers.

Got married four months ago. And stopped four months ago with all of the working out. Then I started back up with the riding about two months ago and am so disappointed with how out of shape I’ve gotten…and how quickly it happened. Sadly, seems like it takes a lot longer to get in shape, and takes two seconds to gain it all back.

One of the things that’s helped is having realistic goals this time. I ride three-four days a week, and try to bring lunch every day to work. I also ride an exercise bike about three days a week and try to limit happy hour to one night a week. Maybe I won’t be as little as I was when I got married, but this way I have realistic goals taht seem more attainable.

Would love to hear what others are doing!

[TarheelJD]

So neat to “see” a bunch of new people on our re-rider thread!!!

I am totally on board with the fitness thing! I agree that if we pick a day where we post stuff about exercise, it may help hold us all accountable to ourselves. Right now I am not doing anything excpet riding and barn stuff, which just isn’t going to cut it, especially come show season.

I have been a little bummed, because as ya’ll know, I’ve had to revert back to lunge lessons and whatnot on one of my trainer’s “been there, done that” horses because my horse has sort of jumped ahead of me in his training. Now that he is learning a lot more, he is looking for me to be more definite with him, and when I’m not, he gets frustated, and I then I get frustrated – and thus begins a vicious cycle. We’ve been through this before. When I first bought him I had to catch up with him a bit. So I know we’ll work through it. But it’s frustrating. I miss those lessons where it felt like we were “clicking” and making progress together.

And there is a CT event I’d like to do in March, but as it stands right now, there is no way in Hades we’d make it through a dressage test. I’m trying not to pressure myself to get back in the groove by March so we can participate, but it’s hard. We went from doing pretty well in hunter shows and CTs last year to being a train wreck currently. Sigh.

Anyway, sorry for the whine. Time to get back to work!

[PaintedHunter]

[QUOTE=TarheelJD;6103220]
So neat to “see” a bunch of new people on our re-rider thread!!!

I am totally on board with the fitness thing! I agree that if we pick a day where we post stuff about exercise, it may help hold us all accountable to ourselves. Right now I am not doing anything excpet riding and barn stuff, which just isn’t going to cut it, especially come show season.

I have been a little bummed, because as ya’ll know, I’ve had to revert back to lunge lessons and whatnot on one of my trainer’s “been there, done that” horses because my horse has sort of jumped ahead of me in his training. Now that he is learning a lot more, he is looking for me to be more definite with him, and when I’m not, he gets frustated, and I then I get frustrated – and thus begins a vicious cycle. We’ve been through this before. When I first bought him I had to catch up with him a bit. So I know we’ll work through it. But it’s frustrating. I miss those lessons where it felt like we were “clicking” and making progress together.

And there is a CT event I’d like to do in March, but as it stands right now, there is no way in Hades we’d make it through a dressage test. I’m trying not to pressure myself to get back in the groove by March so we can participate, but it’s hard. We went from doing pretty well in hunter shows and CTs last year to being a train wreck currently. Sigh.

Anyway, sorry for the whine. Time to get back to work![/QUOTE]

I can completely sympathize with this. A whlie back, I did a schooling show and took some lessons on a mare I affectionately called “Not a Pony”, as she was 14.2 and a HALF, ha - to build my confidence. it definitely helped spending some time on a horse with WAY more whoa than go, unlike my horse, and who would tolerate mistakes.

[HazelG]

Dewey, you’re right, I must have been looking at week 10 because I thought there’s no way I could do that. I want to be part of the fitness group because clearly I am not working out on my own. I also feel that this is a really supportive group, and we all feel safe enough with our virtual friends to admit our failures and tell our successes without feeling like we are being judged. We all want to get more fit to help our riding, we all have crazy busy lives, and from what I can tell, none of us is anywhere close to 20! Let’s try and motivate each other and get as fit as we can with our friends and celebrate our successes together. A few months ago I spent a small fortune and ordered a bunch of rider fitness and rider yoga books from Amazon. Of course I haven’t had time to read them yet but I will try to on my holidays in a few weeks and I can post some of the exercises they suggest. I think maybe a weekly plan at the beginning of a week and a check-in at the end would be a good idea.

Tarheel don’t get frustrated with going back to lunge lessons and not riding your own horse. In the fall my horse was off for a bit with a sore back, and then only my trainer rode him for a few months while I rode school horses and my son’s horse. I was annoyed as anything to do it, but in retrospect I learned a lot, my horse got better quicker, and it has really improved how I ride him now. I understand how you feel, I’m just telling you from the other side it worked out really well for me, so think positive and be patient (a quality I do not possess), hopefully it will do the same for you

[TarheelJD]

[QUOTE=HazelG;6103263]
Tarheel don’t get frustrated with going back to lunge lessons and not riding your own horse. In the fall my horse was off for a bit with a sore back, and then only my trainer rode him for a few months while I rode school horses and my son’s horse. I was annoyed as anything to do it, but in retrospect I learned a lot, my horse got better quicker, and it has really improved how I ride him now. I understand how you feel, I’m just telling you from the other side it worked out really well for me, so think positive and be patient (a quality I do not possess), hopefully it will do the same for you[/QUOTE]

Thanks - I know I am doing the right thing. Just bummed that it’s necessary! Wish I was a better rider now!!!

[Dewey]

OK. Let’s post our goals for the upcoming week this Sunday and then report back the following Saturday. That will give us a few days to think about what might be feasible.

[iechris]

Welcome to the new folks!

On the exercise front, I’m not doing any except riding right now and that needs to change. I like Dewey’s idea of posting goals on Sunday.

Rain held off and the weather warmed up and I had a lesson on Wednesday. Started off the lesson with no stirrups and actually did okay (as in didn’t fall off) posting the trot! Will now try to start each ride with a little no stirrup work. Got 4 lines of poles put together pretty well and did jump a cross-rail. My trainer’s homework for me is to jump at least a small crossrail each time I ride and to work on cantering for as long as I can until I feel really tired, then rest and start over.

Short term goals riding-wise are to jump one of the box jumps before the college kids leave for the summer and to jump the little liverpool on the old Jumper (the Cadillac is a hunter and that “jumper stuff” terrifies and offends him!).

Weather is looking positive for riding this weekend!

[spacytracy]

Tarheel, I can completely relate. When I had Dublin, he was being used by my trainer for lessons, and I was only riding him like once a week, and he was progressing SO much faster than I was. So when I would ride him, I really had to work on stepping up my game. It was tough. It definitely was frustrating.

[Dewey]

nice breeches

I made a Smartpak purchase recently, and while browsing the sale section, I found my favorite show breeches on sale. I was kind of bummed because I bought mine at full price and have only worn them once, so I can’t justify buying new ones. However, I thought I’d pass this on. If you do order, be sure to get a size smaller than you normally do as they run big. The breeches are very nice; I love mine.

http://www.smartpakequine.com/rj-classics-sterling-collection-mid-rise-breech-8311p.aspx?cm_vc=Search

[Dewey]

Sad Time

I am feeling very blue just now. I found out yesterday that the horse my daughter was most attached to at our barn will be leaving next week for a new home. We knew for awhile that he was for sale; we tried to set up a donation for him at DD’s college, and they wanted him, but the owners backed out, so it didn’t work out. And now he is leaving. I found out yesterday, but I just finished writing the email to DD giving her the news, so I am teary-eyed.

Jack was a wonderful friend to her. She rode him when she was learning to jump crossrails and showed him up to 2’9". He had a lot of quirks, so he wasn’t a really popular ride at the barn, but he and my daughter always clicked, and he was Mr. Personality on top of that. I know she is going to be devastated. I wish I could have bought him for her, but owning a horse just isn’t feasible now, especially with her college bills.

So long, Jack.

http://i841.photobucket.com/albums/zz333/deweyrooter/Audrey%20and%20Jack%20December%202011/Jack4.jpg

[TarheelJD]

I’m so sorry Dewey - that sucks! I hope Jack is going to a good home who appreciates him, and that your daughter will be able to focus on that to help her through this tough time.

[Dewey]

Thanks, Tarheel…from what I understand, he is going to a good home…to an IHSA coach who has a young rider all lined up to lease him. I am glad about that, but I dread talking to my daughter after she reads the email.

I am going to miss him. He is a smart horse who knows his name. My daughter taught him tricks. Maybe I’m biased, but I always thought he had a very cute face and should have been a halter model in a catalog. sniff

[CVPeg]

[QUOTE=Dewey;6105633]
Thanks, Tarheel…from what I understand, he is going to a good home…to an IHSA coach who has a young rider all lined up to lease him. I am glad about that, but I dread talking to my daughter after she reads the email.

I am going to miss him. He is a smart horse who knows his name. My daughter taught him tricks. Maybe I’m biased, but I always thought he had a very cute face and should have been a halter model in a catalog. sniff[/QUOTE]

No, Dewey, you’re not biased - first thing I thought when seeing his picture is “how cute”… and how sad for you and your daughter. Going off to college is tough when you’re riding. Not many can do both, or keep it to the same level as before…

Things are a bit quieter now with B (very little bucking this week) as he is now turned out in what I call his “play pen”. They’ve taped off an area behind his barn to leave him turned out during the day. It was okay, but with the rain yesterday and today, one’s feet now disappear again, almost to his (and my!) knees. I’ve been coming in around midday now as I’m trying Gastrogard to see if all of this could also be ulcer related. Grab him from the outside, just toss the saddle on him, and limit riding him to 20 minutes, or longeing to 15. He’s trying to figure out what’s up.

Hmmm…I could certainly use the exercise push. With all of B’s shenanigans, we’ve gone from walking & trotting to just walking. Doesn’t help the weight loss that was under way. :no: We’re on the list for the barn’s monthly clinic with visiting dressage trainer on Sunday. So I should really have a better handle on making a list of goals. (If I’ll be able to hold a pen afterwards! :lol:)

Tarheel, I feel your pain. We’ve gone backwards this winter as well. One step forward, two back for us. I guess it will make future improvements that much more of a celebration!

[PaintedHunter]

Bad news: ride today- first in almost two weeks due to weather - was a complete bust, with my boy pinning his ears a lot - even at just the trot- and being a bucking fool. Not sure what was wrong with him, as the chiropractor just came last week, and he’s not usually an ear-pinner, even when mad or sore. I think he was just having a bad day, and it was windy.

Good news: our barn’s best rider, a 17-year-old girl, has decided that her high school senior project for next year will be taking me and my horse under her training wing and documenting the process and our successes. SO she will work with him separately, me separately, and me and my boy together. I am sure she picked us because we are a mess, but with potential. LOL. The end goal is perhaps to get JJ to be shown in the baby greens at a rated show(something that seems so unattainable right now!). It sounds like it will be a good experience for all of us.