SO. MUCH. FUN.

But so sore!! And yes, I was expecting it, and I also feel like it's a good hurt. In my thighs and core. Which means I was riding properly! Yeah! (although my butt bones are also a tad tender! lol)

So hot and tired!

So I have no media!! I know, unheard of for me, right? Sadly I was the only one there and since breeches don't have pockets for phones, it got left in my car. Next time I might set my phone up somewhere since she said I could record if I liked.

I got a text from my instructor (we will call her L henceforth!) saying to go ahead and get Goldie out of her stall and put her in the cross ties and start grooming her and she would be there shortly. I kind of panicked a bit because I was still at work and trying to get kids gathered and into daddy's truck. But thankfully by the time L got there I had managed to get her out and in the cross ties and curried and brushed. She went over all the things she likes to do before tacking up, and while tacking up. And what bridle she likes to use on her. So I grabbed some green splint boots, my saddle and a pad and bridle and got her all tacked up (the ease of tacking up english as opposed to western never ceases to amaze me).

It was in the 90's out so we opted to stay in the lower half of the arena where the shade was, yeah! But I was still dripping with sweat soon after starting, lol. I hardly noticed though, I was concentrating too hard!

So my memory is pretty much shot after three kids but I'll try to remember best I can!

Main positive points I took from it were my shoulders looked great! (Yes! That was my main downfall in college) I have good arms. My stamina isn't nearly as bad as I thought it was. Heels and leg are generally good. 

Things I need to work on! (This list is much longer, lol) 

1. Shorter reins

2. Lengthen my core

3. Get off my pockets! Close my hip angle

4. Flatten back in two point

5. Figure out how to do a turn on forquarter and haunches without having to be reminded.

6. Look up, not at poles or ground

7. Work on canter seat (close hip angle, keep balance, sit light, give with hands)

That's not all I'm sure but I can't think of more at this moment.

My friend also had a private lesson the next day and we have been whining all week about how sore we are! Lol. L had a lot of good strength building excercises. My favorite was posting trot to a cone then sitting, then next cone was canter to posting trot then 2 point over poles and then do it all over again. It was in a circle. SO FUN. And a great work out! 

As I knew it would be my canter work was the worst. I just haven't had as much ride time at that gait. I completely lose my balance, brace with my outside leg. Stop following with my hands. She wants me to sit in almost a two point because I sit so deep and get behind. So major practice needed there! I felt like I was riding my best (according to her) when I was poking my chest and butt out. Lol! I've def been riding western a lot more these past few years. 

So! Now I'm pumped up. I want to get at least one practice ride in at home on Mr. Harold. And that means getting him back up to the front pasture so I can actually work with him! 

I have the brother in law looking for some hay and got some senior feed to start giving him twice a day.

Today while the littlest stinker takes her nap my middle child and I are going to go out and move him back up with Chatterbox and feed him. We bought him some treats too ;). Depending on how he acts I may work with him a bit. I'd love to ride but not sure how long my youngest will nap and the baby monitor only reaches so far! I have to periodically walk back towards the house to get it to pick up. 

I'll post back with how it goes!

Back To 'School'!

So I know it has been a long time since I've posted! Life just ended up taking all my time and energy!

What has happened since I've been gone?

The BIG thing is my newest little stinker!

Hailey June, born March 3rd 2016, a total of 5 tiny pounds!

5 months and a little teething machine!

So in case your counting that is THREE little girls now! I have a 6, 2.5 and 5 month old. All so different and beautiful in their own right and we are so blessed.

But frankly it leaves me little time for myself! (Or horses!) In fact I'm rocking my sweet one to sleep as I type this on my phone!)

And really that's ok. This is my season right now. Taking care of my girls and my hard working hubby (who is awesome by the way, he works from 5:30 am to 3 pm in horrible heat and humidity building custom homes) are who I am at this point in my life. And I don't regret it a bit. (In fact I'd have more babies if the hubby would let me! Lol, which if you knew me would totally confuse you since I never even liked kids!)

But I have never forgotten my love for horses and riding.

So usually once a day I peruse my blogger list and check out my favs, living a vicarious horse life through them! And last Tuesday as I was doing this it hit me. Lessons. I could take lessons! 

I rode IHSA in college (many moons ago) and my riding coach lived nearby my work and gave lessons from her house. She was our english coach. Sweet, sweet lady! Her husband is also my dentist, haha. Just a random fact there. In between now and then we both have had three kids and I had no idea if she was even still giving lessons!

So on the way home I decided to just go check out her place and see if it was still there etc. Well she was actually giving a lesson!! So I decided to pull on in and just talk to her then, say hi, how have you been. She thought I was with one of her students for a little bit so I got to watch her teach. And I saw two familiar faces from our set of team horses in college! Goldie, a palomino quarter horse who used to do western pleasure. And Chloe another QH. So neat! They are both in their 20's now but look awesome and going strong. 

So while her riders were taking a break she came over to see me and recognized me, lol. We talked a while and she was so excited to see me. She said she'd love to teach me and totally understood how it's sometimes easier to SCHEDULE horse time even when you have a horse at home!

Then she shocked me by saying one of my former team mates was going to be starting lessons this coming week also! What are the odds?? She was always a sweet girl and I really got along with her well. So then I was even more excited! I immediately Facebooked her and we both squealed over cyber land haha. I have kept sort of in touch with her but every time we tried to meet up something happened. It's been around 12 or 13 years since we have really saw each other. Gosh, time flies.

So we talked a little longer then I let her get back to her lesson. So there you have it! I get to ride again! :squeal:

Some of you may be like uh, you have a horse at home you don't even ride. I know!! And it sucks! He's so far away, by the time I get home from work I am immediately thrown into cleaning the house up, laundry, dinner, I don't have time. Plus nothing like THIS to ride in!

Where I get to ride! I will be riding the palomino in the middle, Goldie :)

And I also have to worry about 4 other horses in my way. The motivation just wasn't there. I needed a goal. 

So I when I got home I immediately pulled out my old english riding clothes. Breeches still fit! But out of style and a tad worn out. Boots are good, I bought those around 4 years ago and haven't worn them but maybe three times. Helmet is OLD and out of date as well. (I bought it back in 1998!!)

So I jump on the internet and find a nice new helmet in a good price range and also a really good deal on some breeches. $30 dollars? Yes, please! They had a neat tank top for $7 too so I grabbed that! Kid in a candy store? Yeah, sorta, lol. 

Troxel Intrepid Helmet

Ovation Euro Seat Tights

After a few back and forth conversations my friend and I decided with our instructor that a group lesson with one other lady on Tuesdays after work will be the best. But! This week I ended up having to schedule an eye appt for my middle child that day so I sent my instructor a text and she set me up with a private on Monday. One day sooner, whoo hoo!

Anyway so that's where I am right now! Will definitely update after my lesson tomorrow!

Until then!