Saturday 3 January 2009

Summary of 2008!

Well, 2008 was an eventful year for me! We made a lot of progress this year and I have personally learnt a lot! The begining of the year I was terribly frustrated with my riding and my seeming inability to influence Antsje with my position. Then I made two fundamental breakthroughs with my riding this year. One was the concept of riding from inside leg to outside hand - Although I thought I was doing this correctly I really wasnt! And although many different people have tried to get me to understand this, it really didnt click until I went for a lesson with Peter Maddison Greenwell. He got me to ride one handed on a circle keeping the inside bend - I was hopeless at first but suddenly we got it!! And all of a sudden I FELT what it was like to have the horse 'in' the outside rein and turn with the inside leg and outside rein! It was AMAZING! And has made a massive difference to my riding :-)

Secondly was a comment from one of my friends who gives great critique! She noticed how I relied on my reins for balance and asked how would I ride without reins?! So I tried the 'without reins' riding and was shamed and horrified how much I relied on them :-( So the end of 2008 has been about me practising an 'independent seat'

 We have been doing a fair bit of hacking and some schooling in the field over the xmas holiday. I even got chance to hire out an arena for a proper schooling session but have to admit that both of us have lost some of the finnesse we had built up towards the end of last year **sigh** Still, I have learnt that frustration gets you nowhere other than a hiding to nothing, so I am POSITIVE that we will regain the lost time quickly as long as I remember all the things I learnt last year :-)
Here is a bit of video as a starting point for this year - I was a bit despondant when I watched it, but hey! Things can only get better right!!!
I am starting off the year in a positive way and tommorrow I have a lesson with Mike Aylmore who I have been training with for nearly 2 years now!! I get such a lot out of his lessons so be prepared for a mamoth post tommorrow lol!!!
Oh! And a BIG HELLO to my two followers Trudi and Claire :-) I can be rest assured that I will get some good feedback on my ramblings :-) Thanks guys!

10 comments:

Jane said...

Heya! I found you! Glad to hear you alls well, missed you at last curry! Onwards and upwards for 2009 now A is on the mend.

lol J.xx

Anonymous said...

This blog looks very professional, not that I'd expect any less from you! Definitely onwards and upwards in 2009! Hugs, H. xxx

Anonymous said...

Blog looks fantastic, you are very organised ;)

epona said...

YAY!!! More friends :-) So glad you came to have a look. I was hoping I wouldnt be all alone in 2009 lol!!! Hope to catch up at the next curry :-)

Claire said...

you must have spent al day on this!

this will be a good resource for everyone, you know?

trudi said...

I am in awe Vicky, how do you get so much written up, it looks great and I'm REALLY looking forward to the GH write up!!!

epona said...

hahaha!! I copied and pasted some of it from my notes *blush*
I do hope it will be a good resource ! Theres so much I want to get on here, but time! You know! Its elusive lol!

Claire said...

not like you not to post after a lesson - or was it cancelled due to the weather?

epona said...

All will be revealed lol!!! Just trying to find enough time to sort the video to upload and clarify my thoughts loL!!

Claire said...

i dunno, vicki, i reckon the first impression would be good. Are you being over analytical again LOL?