♣Ambitious♣

The combination of rain and the Polar Vortex really put a damper on being able to ride outside over the winter. Usually, we get a couple of nice, sunny days to get out of the indoor, but the ground being saturated turned out outdoor ring into one, big liverpool. That is, until this week (ok, technically last week, but that wasn't a real lesson). Yes, friends, we made it. We rode outside. The lesson started outside and almost ended outside but my trainer was getting cold but technically it was still fine to ride outside. I'm honestly just grateful that the precipitation has finally cut back. Maybe now we'll stop having to deal with abscesses and rain rot. And I got to use my new saddle pad! I was on Lionel, who I haven't ridden since the theatrics of the fall. If I'm being honest, he isn't my favorite to ride because he's particular, he's huge, and takes a lot to put together. As a result, I always feel like I don't look great on him, which ...

Ugh, love being in focus Song: "Tonic Water" by Moglii ft. Novaa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi22frfHuz8

We'll call this one Moose. As aforementioned, Oscar has been my main squeeze for the past two lessons. I've been starting to figure him out more, but he makes my bad habits waaayyy more obvious. Thanks for nothing, horse. October 1st After not riding the previous week due to other obligations, I was just thrilled to have a complete flatwork drilling ride. Can you taste the sarcasm? Because I can. Lots of no stirrup work, transitions, some counter canter, and, of course, swapping horses. I ended up on Penny and Linus as well, but most of the ride was spent on Oscar. It was my first ride in the new saddle, and, not gonna lie, I had some reservations about it. Listen, friends, if you buy a CC saddle, expect a CC saddle. I also have to wrap my stirrup leathers because apparently 18 year olds can't have normal length legs. Final point of complaint: it squeaked. It squeaked so much. I have gone through one round of needsfoot oil, and round two is happening today. ...

Getting to ride three different horses is a great way to finish off the week, even if one of them (*cough* Vick *cough cough*) was far too hype. I was put on LB again for the team lesson, and it was totally better than last time. I did about a lap of hip stretches which opened me up enough to be effective but not quite enough to lengthen my leg all the way. When we went to sit the trot, I was struggling, so I dropped my irons and tried it that way instead with moderate success (didn't sit trot for long). He cantered and jumped exceptionally well. I swapped first onto Vick and then onto Lionel. Vick was forward, and I was handsy, so that didn't go down too well. On the flip side, Lionel was laid back and game for pretty much any fence (which led to him locking onto the wrong fence). He can be added to the list of horses that are far too big for me but still accept cues from my puny legs.