Good luck with the new barn, wntrwhte! Let us know how it goes! And save your pennies…you’ll have that new helmet in no time.
[QUOTE=Dewey;6154660]
Good luck with the new barn, wntrwhte! Let us know how it goes! And save your pennies…you’ll have that new helmet in no time.[/QUOTE]
Oh, I can afford it, it just seemed like a lot to pay. That’s 8-10 lessons. I guess I grew up riding in the era when helmets were just really coming out and you were considered a bit insane to spend more than $100 on one. Now it seems like all the good ones are $500. I have a GR8 that is fine except a) I left it in my office last week when I dropped by and had it in my bag and so now I need to drive 1 1/2 hrs to go get it, and b) makes me look like a bobblehead (it was the best of the worst.)
So I’m sure I’ll justify it, I was ready to sign up then and there until they told me it would take 10 weeks to come in because my head is such a small size. That made me sad 
I’m big on instant gratification!
Going to go try some GPAs locally as well, since apparently now I’m in that price range.
Just remember that the helmet will need to be replaced in 5 years whether it looks worn out or not.
[QUOTE=Dewey;6154687]
Just remember that the helmet will need to be replaced in 5 years whether it looks worn out or not.[/QUOTE]
I’m sure it will be replaced long before then. I am one of those gadget minded people who can’t resist having the newest most space age things, so I’m sure even if I buy a GPA now, the samshield will enter the stable soon enough.
Good thing I’m still practical enough to not buy saddles I don’t need, or I’d REALLY be in trouble.
Hahaha–you would probably think I am ridiculously out of date. I use the saddle and bridle I bought (used) in 1978. My good boots are Dehners from 1979. My show coat is hunter green–I bought it used five years ago.
[QUOTE=Dewey;6154800]
Hahaha–you would probably think I am ridiculously out of date. I use the saddle and bridle I bought (used) in 1978. My good boots are Dehners from 1979. My show coat is hunter green–I bought it used five years ago.[/QUOTE]
I wouldn’t, actually…until I bought new boots yesterday, I was riding in a pair of Ariat Champions from 1997, and my jumping saddle is a plain flap Equilibrium that is date stamped 1985. I’m only 24, so my saddle is older than I am.
SpacyTracy are you out of the hospital yet? How are you feeling?
Hi! Yes I got out Sunday. Thanks for all the support.
Surgeon did 4 small abdominal incisions for surgery, which are healing well but still painful! And because they go from bellybutton down, I can’t find underwear that doesn’t rub! So I’m wearing these low cut things that barely cover anything, and pj gowns. But if that’s the biggest issue in my life I’m doing ok! lol.
A little bummed that my plans have gotten pushed back a few weeks, but in the end it’ll be ok!
My trainer is graciously letting my pony come up whenever I want and that will allow the IHSA team to ride him, which will be nice. Then when I’m ready I can hop back on and get going.
I’m sorry I haven’t read up on everyone’s lives, the meds make me a little stupid! 
[QUOTE=spacytracy;6155541]
Hi! Yes I got out Sunday. Thanks for all the support.
Surgeon did 4 small abdominal incisions for surgery, which are healing well but still painful! And because they go from bellybutton down, I can’t find underwear that doesn’t rub! So I’m wearing these low cut things that barely cover anything, and pj gowns. But if that’s the biggest issue in my life I’m doing ok! lol.
A little bummed that my plans have gotten pushed back a few weeks, but in the end it’ll be ok!
My trainer is graciously letting my pony come up whenever I want and that will allow the IHSA team to ride him, which will be nice. Then when I’m ready I can hop back on and get going.
I’m sorry I haven’t read up on everyone’s lives, the meds make me a little stupid! :)[/QUOTE]
Spacy-- I hear you! I had my gallbladder removed 2 weeks ago. That incision was PAINFUL. I was very sore until pretty much yesterday. Glad they gave you good drugs and keep on being loopy as long as you want!
So I would like to join this group, if that is okay? I have been riding, for over twenty years now, but have had some breaks here and there. When I was younger I was jumping consistently, but only did a few schooling shows. I have recently started taking jumping lessons with the trainer I was jumping with years ago. The issue is that I have the styl and the technique down, but I am having this major bravery issue. When the fence gos to 2’9", I start to hold back and in turn prevent the horse from jumping well. Poor horse really wants to jump to.
Had a lesson today and I can feel what I am doing, but I don’t know how to stop it. I kept putting my right hand hand on his neck and he stopped, of course. I did get over all of the fences, but it was pretty ugly at times. I guess I am just sad and frustrated. Where did my bravery go?!?
P.S. That was hard to admit and write, but it does feel good to get out.
[QUOTE=Koniucha;6155992]
So I would like to join this group, if that is okay? I have been riding, for over twenty years now, but have had some breaks here and there. When I was younger I was jumping consistently, but only did a few schooling shows. I have recently started taking jumping lessons with the trainer I was jumping with years ago. The issue is that I have the styl and the technique down, but I am having this major bravery issue. When the fence gos to 2’9", I start to hold back and in turn prevent the horse from jumping well. Poor horse really wants to jump to.
Had a lesson today and I can feel what I am doing, but I don’t know how to stop it. I kept putting my right hand hand on his neck and he stopped, of course. I did get over all of the fences, but it was pretty ugly at times. I guess I am just sad and frustrated. Where did my bravery go?!?
P.S. That was hard to admit and write, but it does feel good to get out.[/QUOTE]
How long have you been back to jumping? I think that reaction is totally normal.
Does your trainer go around raising all the jumps, or just a select few? I know mine, as we’ve raised the fence height, will only do 1-2. Then 2-3. Then 3-4. Next thing I know, its a whole course. The point is, it doesn’t get/look overwhelming all at once 
I also read someone’s suggestion on here to raise all the jumps to the max while you’re flatting, then when you’re ready to jump, lower them. Makes it look tiny. I think if your brain accepts that trick, its pretty freaking genius! LOL
We also usually start with the higher ones on the fences I know aren’t going to be a problem-like the out of a two stride/gymnastic or something. Its the long approaches that always get me sucking back and fiddling with things too much!
Welcome, Koniucha! Baby steps, that’s the way to do it! Don’t do anything you don’t want to do. This is supposed to be fun. I don’t think any of us are as brave as we were when we were 17–but we all support each other here.
SpacyTracy, get well soon!
[QUOTE=KateKat;6156026]
How long have you been back to jumping? I think that reaction is totally normal.
Does your trainer go around raising all the jumps, or just a select few? I know mine, as we’ve raised the fence height, will only do 1-2. Then 2-3. Then 3-4. Next thing I know, its a whole course. The point is, it doesn’t get/look overwhelming all at once
I also read someone’s suggestion on here to raise all the jumps to the max while you’re flatting, then when you’re ready to jump, lower them. Makes it look tiny. I think if your brain accepts that trick, its pretty freaking genius! LOL
We also usually start with the higher ones on the fences I know aren’t going to be a problem-like the out of a two stride/gymnastic or something. Its the long approaches that always get me sucking back and fiddling with things too much![/QUOTE]
Well, I guess it has been almost three months, after about 11 years off of consistent jumping. He has raised the jumps without me looking. I don’t know why but when I look at the 2’9" fence, I always feel like it is 3’. I have done a course of 6 fences at a puddle jumper height, 2’3" max, and did well. Maybe I am not ready for the 2’9"?
There’s no shame in admitting you’re not ready. I think ALL of us have come to that realization. Its NOT going to come back as quickly as if we were younger.
I think with adult re-riders, its no longer about testing their bravery, or pushing them. Its more about enjoying each ride, learning something new, and trying something new, but within the limits of comfort.
Gone for me are the days of being brave, and going beyond my comfort zone. If I don’t feel comfortable, I dont do it. It doesnt mean its without a sense of disappointment, or sometimes regret after a lesson, but I get to walk away with my body intact, and that’s enough reason for me to justify my decisions!
In one of my lessons, I didn’t even canter a horse. It didn’t feel right. And I’m ok with that.
[QUOTE=Koniucha;6156058]
Well, I guess it has been almost three months, after about 11 years off of consistent jumping. He has raised the jumps without me looking. I don’t know why but when I look at the 2’9" fence, I always feel like it is 3’. I have done a course of 6 fences at a puddle jumper height, 2’3" max, and did well. Maybe I am not ready for the 2’9"?[/QUOTE]
While I’ve recently decided to retire from jumping altogether, one of the things that helped my bravery over fences was jumping through a chute without reins.
My big issue was worrying with my hands, picking away at the stride, and getting the horse in the mouth by sitting up too soon. Jumping without my hands helped me get the feel of balancing my upper body and the horse without picking away and pissing him off.
Of course, then I finally just realized that I wasn’t enjoying it, and I just switched to dressage and plan to buy a nice, roly poly pony to toot around on in my “old” age.
Welcome Koniucha! Here’s my advice, direct from my brilliant trainer’s mouth…Hold.the.mane!! It will never fail you. You will never get your horse in the mouth and he will thank you. Three months is not long enough to know and trust a horse over fences. Hold the mane. Ian Millar holds the mane. My fantastic trainer holds the mane. Hold the mane. I hold the mane even if i paid 50 bucks to have it perfectly braided You will feel secure. Then one day you won’t feel like you need to!
Spacytracy you’re starting to sound like your old self again, no spelling issues. Glad you’re on the mend.
Any news on new horse lease, purchase, PPE’s anybody??
Was away for a week and rode my horse yesterday. He was stiff and crooked and bucked, which is so not like him. Took me half an hour to work him out of it. I talked to my trainer today and said I thought maybe he needed the chiropractor. She said, get this, “maybe he just needed you. You’re a better rider than most” and then walked away. I had to chase her and ask if I heard her right! I was soooooo happy, I told her that really meant a lot. So I have a big smile on my face tonight. And so does my horse
I SOOOO wish I could hold mane! There is some sort of short circuit in my brain, and I. Just. Can’t. Do. It. I have, however, learned to use a nice wide grab strap around the pony’s neck… She has a tendency to get faster after each jump, so I developed the (bad) habit of feeling like I need to slow her down immediately, thus I don’t release as well as I should. Jumping without the reins does help…but I guess i’m a slow learner. I’ll be good for one lesson, then back to bad again
I’m posting this because when I told my No. 1 trainer, ‘Yeah, I asked Trainer No. 2 and some people online and they didn’t see any harm in trying it,’ her face contorted and she got this horrified look on her face before asking, ‘OMG. Did you post this on CHRONICLE?!’
So, of course now I have to post something.
I drank a beer (flavored malt beverage) before my lesson on Monday afternoon. The purpose of this was not to drink beer, as I’m really not a drinker anymore, but to see if it would relax me enough so I wasn’t all fidgety and awkward during the first 40 minutes of my lesson, like normal.
I only got to drink 3/4 of it before my horse knocked over the rest (blackberry flavored) … But I think it worked. I was trotting more, I felt more relaxed when sitting the trot in a dressage saddle, and my head was with me in the ring and not at work, or home, or online, or balancing my account.
Weather permitting, I’m going to try it again next Monday. I don’t know if I’d do this for every lesson, but it was an experiment I was dying to try. I’m so damn wound up all the time. Not just at the barn. It’s no wonder I don’t start riding decent until the last 20 minutes of my lesson.
(And I don’t drink it until I get to the barn. I then have 2 hours before I have to drive back home. Plus, I’m off from work on Mondays.)
The guy I might be possibly leasing got here a few days ago, but I don’t think I’ll get a chance to see him until later in the week. I haven’t been posting much about it, because there’s still details to work out, and of course, riding him and getting to know him.
Plus, I’m kind of holding my breath until I know something for certain. I don’t want to get overly excited and then not have it work out. Because this kind of quality horse does not come up for lease down here. Ever.
Here I thought I was the only one who was balancing their checking account while riding.
It took me a couple weeks to be able to part from my smartphone long enough to ride. I work from home most of the time and have gotten very used to my electronic leash. I had moments of panic that people were emailing me or trying to call me and I wasn’t answering.
I’ve sort of gotten over it, but the phones HAVE to come into the barn with me so I’m only disconnected while actually riding. It’s a start, but one of the reasons I started scheduling lessons was because it would force me to unplug for a bit.
