[Skye]

I managed to get my mom out to film my private lesson the other week, and I only just managed to find the time to make a thread for you guys.

Anyways, so I have officially been riding for just about 5 months, and it gives me a major confidence boost when I compare my other videos to this one.

Something finally clicked and I am able to "confidently" canter now, meaning I can get and mantain a canter but there is definately a lot more balance needed. This is only my 3rd lesson where I have been able to successfully canter for more than one or two strides, so keep that in mind while watching lol, I relise I am quite bouncy in the saddle.
Both me and the horse were exhausted. The horse was used in a lesson right before me, and I normally only ride once a week but this was my second lesson and it it was right after exam week.

It's pretty much all jumping, although we spent some time doing transitions on a circle before heading into the jump or cantering.

Enjoy!

YouTube - 5months

[Lindsayanne]

You look incredible!!!

Two reasons you are more awesome than me:

1. Riding in February in Canada. Period.

2. You have NO idea how long it took me to get to the point where a crossrail didn't make me bobble- let alone doing a line of jumps! You look a little unsteady at the canter but WOW. Just staying with your horse as well as you are over jumps is dang impressive, girl!

[imjustjoking22]

Very nice, you look great!! Looks like you have a nice steady mount, too. One question- why are you jumping before learning how to sit the canter? You look nice and solid over the jumps, i'm just curious

[Skye]

Originally Posted by imjustjoking22

One question- why are you jumping before learning how to sit the canter? You look nice and solid over the jumps, i'm just curious

Thanks. And that would be a question for my instructor, lol. It's probably because I am normally in a group lesson, so we don't spend much time on anything - just a little bit of lots of things. In this lesson we actually spent a little time trying to sit the canter, just before I brought him back down to a trot - but this guy is so bouncy it was really hard.

[Skye]

Originally Posted by Lindsayanne

You look incredible!!!

Two reasons you are more awesome than me:

1. Riding in February in Canada. Period.

2. You have NO idea how long it took me to get to the point where a crossrail didn't make me bobble- let alone doing a line of jumps! You look a little unsteady at the canter but WOW. Just staying with your horse as well as you are over jumps is dang impressive, girl!

Thanks so much. And yes, it is VERY cold. The lesson before this one, I got home, took off my boots, and freaked out because my toes were white. An hour later...still white. It took half an hour of rubbing them under warm water to get the circulation back. You will think I am even crazier when I inform you that I don't have winter riding boots...just regular summer paddock boots and two pairs of ski socks.

[Anti-Silence]

You look great, and most importantly you seem to be enjoying yourself.

They make these thingies with chemicals in them, you shake them or something and stick them in your boots and they keep you warm. I don't know if you've got room for them in there though lol, but it's a thought!

[Skye]

Originally Posted by Anti-Silence

They make these thingies with chemicals in them, you shake them or something and stick them in your boots and they keep you warm. I don't know if you've got room for them in there though lol, but it's a thought!

Thanks for the suggestion! Im not sure if there is room in my boots for them, but its worth a try.

[Rhythmic Hooves]

You were the one who was having problems getting and keeping your horse at a canter in your two month video, right? I think it was you I remember.

You look really good! And obviously you are dedicated or you wouldn't ride with it that cold! lol I am a warm weather person from Texas... I wasn't made to be in the cold! lol