The Long Distance Equestrian

So it has been an eventful month, so far. I moved with my family into a new, smaller house, which is nice. I have to share a room with my brother, and so far, it hasn't been bad. We get to bond a bit, and surprisingly, we do not get on each other's nerves. It took us about almost two weeks to get everything moved it. Now that everything is pretty much settled, the new house is starting to feel cozy, and it has been a bit more peaceful. I did my first horse show on November 7th, and ended up placing rather well in the classes that I entered. I got second place in both my English Under Saddle Class, and my Hunter class, got fifth place in my trail class, then won my Bareback Ride-A-Buck class. It was a nice, although very chilly day to be showing. I was nervous throughout the day, but glad that I went out and did well in my classes. I rode Noony for show day. He was being shared by me and four other riders, so he had quite the work out, and was pretty much done by the time it g...

So yeah, I have been keeping up with my riding lessons. I have to say, I am so glad to be back in the saddle. I feel as happy as ever when I am in the barn, with the horses, and helping out when I can. The lessons have been going pretty well. I rode yesterday in the morning, and have been riding Noony the most, although I did have my first fall in six years yesterday. I was learning how to canter on the lunge line. In the beginning, the lesson was going ok, though for some reason, whenever asking to canter, I never seem to lean back, as I would like to. I always tend to lean a bit forward, and could feel myself tensing up before asking him to canter. When I ask, he does canter for about one beat or two beats, but then goes into a fast trot. Now, the reason for that is that I tend to fall back right away when asking, so in a way, it does not send a clear message to Noony that I want to canter. Now that, with in combination of a forward, tense position does not bode well when getting a h...

My first riding lesson last Saturday was a success. According to my riding instructor, I have the basic cores of riding pretty much down. This Saturday, she will be a bit more intense with my lesson, meaning that there will be more intense exercises for me to work on with my lesson horse. I am both excited, yet a little nervous about how this Saturday lesson will go. I wonder if I will have to ride without my stirrups... which probably will eventually happen, since I have done that kind of thing before, when I used to take lessons. It will be hell on my legs, but worth it, in the long run. Horse riding is worth aching legs, and other parts of the body. My lesson horse partner so far, is Gunnar. Gunnar is an Appaloosa gelding with a kind, but lazy demeanor. He is the type of horse, where a riding will always have to keep a leg on him. I do like that he is easy going, and like how he responds to my leg, and movements in the saddle. He seems to respond well, and without any protest. Sur...

After six years of being out of the saddle, it is finally time to get back in the game again. I gathered up the courage to message a stable on Monday, that offered riding lessons. I have been following them on Facebook for quite a bit now, and finally felt it was time to try to get back into riding lessons once again. The good news is that I got a message from them on Tuesday morning, with all the info that I needed. Now, I am scheduled to visit the barn at 10:30am on Saturday. The visit will most likely consist of observing the grounds, and talking one on one with the instructor about what I wish to achieve with horse riding. It has been like it has been so long since I have actively been riding. I feel like I have to start from scratch, and relearn everything. I am both excited, and nervous about the barn visit. I am hoping that I will mesh well with the instructor, and that the barn will feel like the right barn for me. I miss the Barn environment, and what it entails. I miss being ...

It is no good to be stressed all the time, and I know that. It is just hard not to be stressed most of the time. My main sources of the stress are home life, and a bit of the work life. It can be stressful at work, at least when it is a busy day, and nothing is done. If nothing is done before close, I usually have to try to rush myself in order to get the closing done in a timely manner. This can be difficult on a busy day, when there is a line out the door. Sometimes, when it is busy, there will be a short slow down time of maybe ten minutes, to thirty minutes. Doing those break bursts, I quickly try to stock what has to be stocked, and try to pre close what I can. I love it more when it is a steady day... not too fast, and not too slow. When it is steady, I can get things done in a timely manner, and I still have other things to do by the time the primary pre closing is done. It also helps to have a person who is willing to help the closer with pre closing duties. Usually, there will...

Well, on Wednesday I went to the Social Security office to finally change my last name. I now feel like I am really his wife, and it feels great! Of course, we have been married for three years, and I felt like his wife then, but now, it feels more official in a way? Anyway, the card with my new last name should be arriving in two weeks. Then, I get to do the fun stuff, like notifying my work, bank, oh, and getting a new passport with the new last name. I think I am going to save the passport for last, since this year, I am in no rush to change it right away. Nope, there is not going to be any traveling to England from me, this year. Hopefully next year, when I travel to England, it will be for good. Work has been a bit more easy going for me, although I do wish that we closed at nine, instead of ten every day. I mean, sure, there is more time to prepare for closing, but I just do not like getting out at 11:00pm every night. It makes going to bed at a decent hour pretty difficult. I ...