What I learned this week

On Monday I had my lesson, and I opted to ride a friend's horse so that I could have a cantering lesson. I can canter on Poncho, but I'm not ready for Shiloh yet. My lesson went very well; we had several good canters with nice transitions, and I felt steady, secure, and confident. My trainer, who hasn't really seen me canter much, was surprised and pleased at my progress. At the end of the lesson, we went for one more canter. Everything was going smoothly, until we rounded the corner and came down a long side. Poncho hit a soft spot in the ring and he tripped, and started going down. I gathered the reins and pulled him up, but not before my head snapped back in a little whiplash motion. (My neck is a little stiff, but it's ok; it wasn't like a car accident or anything!) I made him keep trotting for a few steps, then pulled him up. I patted his neck and sat there smiling.

So what did I learn from this? Well, a year ago, I would have freaked out when he tripped. I might even have come off, because it was a big trip and I was thrown off balance. I would definitely have screamed--that's what I do instinctively when something bad or painful happens to me. My trainer has been trying to get me to stop doing that, because it usually spooks a horse, but it's hard to break instinctive habits. Anyway, none of these things happened! I stayed on, I didn't freak out, and I didn't scream. Me, who has never done anything athletic in my life until I started riding! Me, who has been so fearful of the speed and power of the canter! Me, who is so afraid of coming off! So I learned that I am stronger and a better rider than I thought. I learned that habits can be broken. I learned that it is important to keep trying new things--to push yourself to do those things that are a little scary and uncomfortable. I learned that I really, really love to ride.

And it was so much fun!!

What a week

It's been a long week at work, and I haven't had as much barn time as I like, but that happens some times. Anyway, today I thought I'd write about my other passion, which is quilting. I also came to this later in life. I've sewed ever since I was old enough to hold a needle safely. My mother taught me how to sew; the first things I made were doll clothes. I used scraps from Mom's projects. Then I learned how to use the machine. We had my Grandmother's old Singer with a knee control; I still have the machine but can't get parts to have it fixed up. My mother and I sewed most of my clothes, and I would make shirts and pajamas for my brothers and father for Christmas presents. I always liked to sew, but I got away from it once I started college and then full time work, although every now and then I'd pick it up again. But lately, I haven't made much of anything.

A friend (actually the same friend who got me into horses) started quilting, and took me to a quilt shop. I fell in love with the fabric and was reminded of how much joy I used to get from making things with my own hands. I decided to give it a try, and I was hooked. My first project was a quilt for my bed, and when I was done I was so thrilled! I made a lap quilt for my mother--it's not done yet, though; I have to finish hand quilting it. I've been making quilts for other family members and they are in various stages. In September I decided to take a class lasting 7 weeks. We learn how to make different blocks and I'll come out of it with a sampler quilt. I decided to use Christmas fabrics so I'd have a nice Christmas quilt for the living room. But now I've gotten way behind on making the blocks (too many late nights at work) and have started to stress out about it. My friend reminded me that this is silly; what will happen if I don't have the blocks done? Will I fail the class? Of course not! This is supposed to be fun!

All of this made me think about how often we allow our hobbies to create unnecessary stress in our lives. When "I want to quilt" turns into "I have to quilt" the hobby becomes work. I think that our culture helps create this mindset. We have been taught that if we aren't doing something productive every waking minute, then we are wasting time. Years ago a friend of mine said she wished she had time to read, but she just couldn't justify spending time "doing nothing but reading." Wow. I thought that was one of the saddest things I'd heard! I read for pleasure every single day--does that make me lazy? In her eyes, apparently! Recently I heard a news story about our children being stressed, and part of the problem is that they have no down-time or unstructured "play" time--every minute of their day is scheduled. I just can't imagine that; I need lots of down time!

I'd better get off this soap box and get home. I want to quilt!

First attempt at a picture...

I'm going to try and upload a picture of Shiloh. This was taken 3 years ago, but he hasn't changed a lot--except to lose the bows! Let's see if this works...

Hey, what do you know? It worked! I don't have a digital picture of Hope, but I will get one and post it.

The Dressage Test

On Saturday there was a small show at my barn. There was a combined class, where participants had to compete in both dressage and stadium jumping, and a dressage only class. I had decided to compete in the dressage only class; it was my second show. In my first show, everything that could go wrong did go wrong, so I was a tad nervous. I was also, however, better prepared.

In my first show last spring, we were out warming up, and Shiloh was moving nicely. I was the next person to go, and I was starting to think that this would be ok, when suddenly there was a lot of commotion going on behind me. I whirled Shiloh around (ok, maybe not a whirl, exactly, but a reasonably slow turn) and saw to my horror that a friend of mine was flying off her horse. She landed hard. Proceedings were put on hold while people rushed to help, call the ambulance, get blankets, etc. There was nothing I could do and there was plenty of help, so I just milled around waiting for events to unfold. To make a long story short, Shiloh got pretty spooked before long--the ambulance beeping was scary enough but then people started running in and out--all very different from our usual sedate rides! The judge came back in and said "let's get started!" and I was on. We circled the ring at a trot preparatory to entering and beginning the test, and we were not in synch. Shiloh spooked at everything, and I was getting more and more nervous--plus I didn't know how badly my friend was hurt (turns out she cracked a vertebrae and was in a halo for 8 weeks). The test was a disaster; pretty much every move was executed poorly. I was sure I would never, ever do this again!

I calmed down and realized the folly of that hasty decision, and I started preparing for the next time, which came on Saturday. What a difference! This time, there were no surprises and no accidents. We performed the test as we had done in practice many times. I felt in harmony with Shiloh; he was very responsive and relaxed; he did what I asked of him smoothly. When we were done (this took all of 2 minutes, tops) I felt really good about our performance, and I patted Shiloh's neck in gratitude. And then came the surprise--we won the blue ribbon! Amazing! I was so happy as I clutched the ribbon and jumped up and down like a little kid!

I was still high from that experience when I had my lesson last night, and we had a lovely ride. My confidence is really increasing, and I am now ready to learn to canter Shiloh. I can canter on other horses, but Shiloh has a huge pop into the canter and there is so much power there that I have been afraid to do it. But now I am ready for the challenge! I know he will take care of me; we are bonded and in tune with each other when we ride. I also know that I am stronger and more secure in my seat than I was a year ago, and I am more sure of my abilities. Monday night we practiced trotting very fast so that I could get the feel of the speed and power--it was amazing. It's like flying--or how I imagine flying would feel if I could do it!

Every time I am riding, I am amazed by the power and majesty of the horse, and I am grateful that they are willing to let us ride them. Make no mistake about it; if a horse doesn't want you on his/her back, you won't be there long. They have any number of ways of getting you off! But when you are in harmony with your horse there is nothing like it on earth. I didn't have horses in my life for 46 years, and now I cannot imagine life without them!