Where there's a will, there's a way!

When I first came to Pippsway, after a 20 year break from riding, it transpired that all my bad habits and muscle memory had sadly endured the 20 year break. In walk I was ‘pumping’ with my seat, in trot I was putting all my weight in my stirrups and was rising far too high out of the saddle and in canter I was either bouncing on my horses back, or, if I was in forward seat, then my balance was all over the place. What a state to be in!

Over the last year and a bit Pip has found so many different ways to break through those old habits to teach me a new way of riding that works with my horse, instead of against him. Today was one of those days where my soul was singing as I left the yard because I enjoyed my first ever lesson where I got every gait correct. Ok, I didn’t get it right consistently throughout the lesson. There were moments where it was all dreadful, there were moments where we were much improved but also there were moments where I was riding ‘properly’! This was my goal when I came to Pippsway and to have finally experienced riding without all those dreadful habits was something else indeed. It’s taken time and patience and Pip coming at my engrained ways of going from many different angles for her to get me to where I am today and I’m so grateful!

The thing is, riding correctly actually feels so much better than riding badly. When I was getting it right today I felt so balanced, relaxed and comfortable. My hands were light on the reins, my feet were light in my stirrups and my horse was listening to me! It was the best feeling :-D

I can’t wait for the Horse Connection Clinic this weekend for Bronson and I to consolidate and build upon all that we have learned thus far. I love Pippsway of Horsemanship and so does my horse! He’s probably in his field with all his buddies right now thinking “Phew! Thank goodness for that!” ha ha :-D