I’ve dabbled in and out of horse riding since I was a kid. Have always loved it but the cost has stopped me from taking it up properly. In addition to this, I couldn’t understand the point of a lot of it! All this pompous rising trot business and diagonals etc ... all seemed pointless! I just wanted to learn how to stay on and go fast! But as I’d only ever rode in Britain I assumed I must be missing something as all schools taught the same way.
Anyway, last year in America I went on a horse ride through the desert in Utah ... oh my god what an experience! There was no sillyness, no “rising trot” no “KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT!!” ... it was just get on, hold on and ride.
DH is a complete beginner and within an hour we were both galloping through the desert having s whale of a time! In the UK asking them to teach me canter was like asking the pope to appear on Love Island!
Why is riding so silly and pompous in the UK? In America you see 5 year olds with the horse skills of a 60 year old pro ...