I am certain I cannot count the number of hours I have spent in the saddle since my introduction to horseback riding more than 50 years ago. I might be able to recount the various people I have taken lessons with over the years though it might require the use of fingers and toes. Regardless, I am off for another hour in the saddle with another instructor. This time it is English jumping with a view toward preparing for my trip to Ireland next fall. (fall meaning a season, a time of year; not the image of what may occur that lurks at the back of my mind as I depart for the stable just three blocks from my home.
More when I get back….
I had a blast. I was a little put off at first. The instructor evidently thought I was someone else when I first arrived, a regular, so she kind of ignored me. AND she was smoking a cigarette which is my number one pet peeve. Then I had to halter the horse , groom and tack him up myself (… Miss Aster would prefer to have a groom for that sort of thing, especially when she is paying $55 per lesson ) but it did give the instructor (hereinafter referred to as Lori) a chance to see, and remind myself for that matter, how familiar I am with some of the fundamentals of handling a horse.
Well, any reservations I had were quickly dispelled as Blaze (a 16.2hand chestnut thoroughbred who looks remarkably similar to my 15.2 hand chestnut running quarter horse) and I walked, then trotted circles posting, standing, and in 2-point.. By lesson’s end we were going over ground poles and I was thrilled.
I suppose it is a ridiculous amount of money to spend for a horseback riding lesson, especially given that I have a horse of mine own in the backyard, BUT Lori is an excellent instructor, Blaze was an excellent lesson horse, it’s terrific exercise and, I repeat, I HAD A BLAST!
