Today was a practice ride with Indy and two of my barn buddies. Since no other easier horses were available to ride, I chose to ride Indy. I was kind of skeptical about riding her with two other horses in the ring, but I figured she would be fine because she knows how to take care of herself. My two friends, Mia and Mary Hampton, were riding Tia and Huckleberry.
(Indy and I are on the right).
We spent the majority of the ride doing simple trot work, since Bethany told us to steer clear of the jumps (due to a previous incident). I wanted to practice cantering, despite my whole existence telling me not to. I cantered successfully (for the most part) in circles and down the long side a couple times. Indy handled herself around the other horses (who were also trotting and cantering) very well, and I was happy with the way it was going. Until we were cantering and found ourselves stuck in the corner.
I was stuck in the corner with Indy, and both of the other horses were in the same corner as well. The pony, Huckleberry, was having difficulties with steering, so I immediately regretted my decision to steer her into that corner. I began to turn in a circle instead of squeezing between the jump standards and the rail with two other horses. But, while still cantering, Indy decided to get out of the situation for me. Her relatively collected canter turned into a bolt for one or two strides. Then, freaking out inside, I decided to pull on her mouth to slow her down. In hindsight, I should have done a one-rein stop. That’s the only time I had ever felt the need to do something like that because I had never been mounted alone on a spooking horse. So, I did the super wise thing and proceeded to pull on her mouth. Then, Indy started hopping in reaction. She was not a bucking bronco, but it was a first for me, having never been in the saddle for such a thing (except for the time when my friend persuaded me to ride doubles with her super green appendix mare, but that story is for another day). By no means whatsoever is Indy a horse that bucks and it wasn’t an actual buck, it just shocked me a little bit. When it was over, having shouted whoa countless times through gasping breath, I let myself hang limp and sigh with relief.. And the most shocking part was that I was still in the saddle.
So, on my second hour of riding, not only did I survive Indy’s little number, but I learned a lesson. I should have stuck to trot work when I was riding, simply because there were other horses in the ring that were actively working and no riding instructor. I guess, since I had only just met these friends, I was trying to prove myself and maybe even show off. I may have also felt the urge to canter because I knew that as a rider I was beyond trot work. I was ready, but obviously my horse was not. Just because I can, doesn’t mean I should. Another thing I wish I had learned beforehand is to make good choices in the saddle. Not only should I have done what’s right for my horse, but I should have been aware if where the other horses were in the ring and payed them respect and space. When Indy went into that corner, I should have slowed her down to a trot to safely navigate out of the situation and give the other horses space. But I chose to keep the canter and attempt to turn. It didn’t end well.
(looking at my face in horse pictures makes me laugh. It is evident that it was taken after Indy’s little number.)
Every ride teaches a lesson, whether it be through the words of an instructor or one’s own personal experience. My trainer did not see the incident (She was teaching a lesson in the outdoor arena) so it left me time to reflect on it myself. The most important thing was that as soon as Indy calmed down, she forgave me. She doesn’t hold a grudge, so I shouldn’t either. The next time I get on Indy, I will act as if nothing happened. Because as far as Indy goes, nothing did.
Tia, a Pintabian, and my brother, Robert (there are two bros). Becky is helping him pick Tia’s foot. I made so many memories when I was there that first year. Only one thing was wrong: I lacked confidence and never cantered once when I was there.
Elizabeth is on her bay mare, Ice, in this picture.
(You can tell by my face.) This is before it happened.
everything’s cool here, except for my face. I can tell the judges are super thrilled.
The only problem was that even after a couple years of riding, my nerves limited me to the walk-trot class, competing and often losing to kids that were more than five years younger than me. I always let my age get to me. I hated that I was competing in a class with five year olds but didn’t have enough courage to move up. I was still a nervous wreck in general.
he’s so adowwable though.
Here I am on Thasia, in the same arena, three years later.
a ride that I had a couple weeks ago
100 Hours 