What a loaded question. I don't really ever want to grow up, actually, so ideally I shouldn't have to answer it at all. I'm trying to apply to schools right now (very unsuccessfully I might add) and I just can't decide what path I want to be on. I want to be in school in New England because I love it there and it's exactly where I need to live right now but depending on where I go to school will impact/limit my riding capabilities. Farther north is somewhat correlated to fewer resources, which means I have to work harder to maintain my riding and not lose it for the rest of college. Or do I want to take a mini-hiatus every semester to really focus on just being a college kid and enjoying my freedom? GAH I just don't know. Laura brought up an idea tonight while we were talking on the phone that I could even look at schools around the area I'm in now (there are a ton in the PA/DC/VA area that are really good) and continue to ride at the barn here during the school year, which is obviously another option tonight that I hadn't really explored yet. But I don't know how I feel about that; my embarrassing homesick attitude has definitely lessened since Thanksgiving time but after Wake last year I decided I wanted to be back in the good old north country, wearing flannel and getting snow days. I love snow days and I have to say that's one of the best parts of being in school is that they're actually and option. We got a ton of freezing rain the other day and my little cousins had a 'snow' day, but nope not me, I had to drag myself out in that weather to take care of the ponies.
I've been working on my position constantly in my rides, with lots of help from Tim and Sharon but also trying to discipline myself. I've been doing flatwork without stirrups for my seat, and Tim makes me canter and look up (and I'm not kidding you here) right at the ceiling so I feel like I'm falling backwards, but he says that's exactly where I need to be. It's so hard trying to break those bad habits. Tying my stirrups to my girth has helped quite a bit too I might add, even though I find this to be the most uncomfortable and difficult while I'm actually riding because my legs don't typically bend that way, but it does keep my toes forward and my legs wrapped around the horse and I feel more secure that way. I had a jumping lesson last night and worked on keeping my rhythm; Sharon made me yell out very loudly and sternly my beat as I went around the gridwork and little course. I'm beginning to feel more confident in my jumping and riding (minus a little fall off Izzy last weekend) which I really needed because I was beginning to wonder what I was doing here. I guess it pays to stick it out sometimes!
While I could ramble for ever and it's my day off tomorrow, my eyelids are almost drooped over my eyes completely and I'm beginning to get a headache. I guess my college apps and that speeding ticket can wait til tomorrow...
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
There goes another month
I really thought I'd be a lot better at updating this than I am. Well let's see how I can condense a month into a few gripping paragraphs...
Steph came down the 23rd of last month through the 26th and we had Christmas together which was great- work was slow as everyone else was basically gone so all the horses had a few days off. We got to road trip to Middleburg for Sharon, but Steph, Alyssa and I made an afternoon out of it instead and I have to say Middleburg might be one of the most picturesque towns ever. I brought all my riding stuff with me the week I was home over New Years but I didn't end up riding at all, I should've guessed my motivation would peter out. Oops should be here in about 3 weeks now! I can't wait to get him going again and to get him into shape for show season, I have high hopes for us this summer as long as I can stay on my game and keep pushing myself (he does whatever I ask; he's that fantastic. It's me that needs to keep going). My rides have been going in and out here at the barn- now that we've added another rider to the mix, my rides dwindle more than I'd like them too, which is part of the reason it will be nice to have Oops here, so I have at least my horse every day that I know I'll be riding.
It's crazy the way my days have completely flipped though since arriving here. Last week I rode 3-6 horses a day, including one of Kristin Bachmans' little prelim mares who is a little trickier but I loved riding while she was away for the week. Today Linda Zang came and did a dressage clinic at the barn for most of the day; I got to watch a bunch of great riders while I was 'working'. How great is that? It's been a bit cold lately and I think my toes got frostbitten today while I was watching but they warmed right back up when it was time to do dinner chores.
My riding has improved in LEAPS and BOUNDS but is obviously still not where I'd like it to be. Riding so many more horses a day gives me such an opportunity to practice more and more but I wish I could just ride all day every day. I want to be so good and watching all these great riders at the barn daily motivates me so much and I just wish I had all the free time in the world to keep working at it. I almost feel bad for my horses this summer because they don't really know what they have coming yet, they're going to be working so much harder than they have ever had to prior. I need to make sure I stay up on getting lots of lessons too this summer, I never set up jumping lessons for myself but am now realizing just how much that handicapped me for all my previous years. How typical, to learn and gain the wisdom after you needed it the most.
Peace out girl scouts
Steph came down the 23rd of last month through the 26th and we had Christmas together which was great- work was slow as everyone else was basically gone so all the horses had a few days off. We got to road trip to Middleburg for Sharon, but Steph, Alyssa and I made an afternoon out of it instead and I have to say Middleburg might be one of the most picturesque towns ever. I brought all my riding stuff with me the week I was home over New Years but I didn't end up riding at all, I should've guessed my motivation would peter out. Oops should be here in about 3 weeks now! I can't wait to get him going again and to get him into shape for show season, I have high hopes for us this summer as long as I can stay on my game and keep pushing myself (he does whatever I ask; he's that fantastic. It's me that needs to keep going). My rides have been going in and out here at the barn- now that we've added another rider to the mix, my rides dwindle more than I'd like them too, which is part of the reason it will be nice to have Oops here, so I have at least my horse every day that I know I'll be riding.
It's crazy the way my days have completely flipped though since arriving here. Last week I rode 3-6 horses a day, including one of Kristin Bachmans' little prelim mares who is a little trickier but I loved riding while she was away for the week. Today Linda Zang came and did a dressage clinic at the barn for most of the day; I got to watch a bunch of great riders while I was 'working'. How great is that? It's been a bit cold lately and I think my toes got frostbitten today while I was watching but they warmed right back up when it was time to do dinner chores.
My riding has improved in LEAPS and BOUNDS but is obviously still not where I'd like it to be. Riding so many more horses a day gives me such an opportunity to practice more and more but I wish I could just ride all day every day. I want to be so good and watching all these great riders at the barn daily motivates me so much and I just wish I had all the free time in the world to keep working at it. I almost feel bad for my horses this summer because they don't really know what they have coming yet, they're going to be working so much harder than they have ever had to prior. I need to make sure I stay up on getting lots of lessons too this summer, I never set up jumping lessons for myself but am now realizing just how much that handicapped me for all my previous years. How typical, to learn and gain the wisdom after you needed it the most.
Peace out girl scouts
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