Adult new or returning riders up for a chat?

[Hereforthedramaz]

I have recently returned to riding after a very long gap.

I was a very casual rider as an early teen, happy hacking on plodding ponies rather than technical riding. I am thoroughly enjoying having proper lessons now.

I thought it might be nice to chat with other newbies or returners, all non-horsey people in my life and there is only so much they want to talk about it!!!

Also the stables I'm going to is so lovely and welcoming but, in their own words, aimed almost entirely at 8-12 year olds so it would be nice to talk to some adults!

@theferry isn’t that just the way we decide nope no more and then we go and enjoy it and carry on!!

@cakeforme absolutely! She spooked at a jump and I nearly went off the side, but even that didn’t bother me, whereas the last time I rode I ended the lesson early and was a gibbering wreck, even though nothing had gone wrong on that occasion.

But I do love that horse!

@theferry lol it is always the way isn't it, I wonder if going into these things thinking it's the last takes the pressure way off and you relax into a much more positive ride (or anything else)!

26 is a good old age, I am all for the golden oldies horses and ponies!

@Pleasedontdothat @FestiveAuntFanny

Glad to hear you are both recovering really well and have a plan to get back in the saddle(s)

You might be right there.

First lesson back went really well ☺️. I felt completely comfortable and hadn’t forgotten how to ride! I feel like I’m starting to get ‘old me’ back ..

@Pleasedontdothat that’s good to hear.

I had my second returner lesson yesterday. Oh my legs getting on. They still ached from the week before. But luckily they did stretch off and felt better after than before. Today they are no worse.

Rode the same pony as last week which was nice. The instructor is so lovely. My last was a bit shouty and I felt like I was being told every other stride something. This one has said there’s no pressure whats so ever and is letting me figure a few things out as well as giving me direction. She seems more used to teaching beginner adults for sure.

Not surprisingly it was no stirrup work for me as my position isn’t right and I need to sit in the saddle and not lean forward. Nerves don’t help that!!

Last of my three cheaper lessons next week but I’m pretty certain I’ll be booking more.

Sound great @cakeforme , a nice coach does make the difference between feeling you're a total duffer, and you're a total duffer with potential.

I've got a four day course starting on Monday with double riding all Monday morning and afternoon, I expect my knees will give out at some point but I'm looking forward to riding two different horses a day with a nice coach too.

I’m doing my first dressage competition on Saturday at the grand old age of 53! It’s being held at my riding school and I’m riding one of their horses. It’s only Intro C and I can have a caller but I’m ridiculously nervous!

@Tupperwarelid I’m impressed!! Let us know how it goes.

@FestiveAuntFanny wow I definitely wouldn’t be able to walk after that!

@FestiveAuntFanny enjoy your course that sounds great!
@Tupperwarelid Good luck! its amazing you are chasing your dreams still, hope all goes well.

I had quite a fun lesson this week, the mare I've been loaning from the riding school came in from the field with a nasty cut on her leg but as I was already there when she came in they let me ride one of the school horses for my lesson. The school has downsized and now only teaches kids and complete adult beginners so I was on a sweet 14hh chunky pony and we had a blast going at top speed around the school and doing some no stirups work. Was nice to just have a bit of fun rather than stressing about collection and bend and all the other bits of dressage.

@Allthegoodnamestakken sounds fun for you and the pony!

@FestiveAuntFanny that course sounds really good (and exhausting!)

Does the yard run them to focus on anything in particular? Are there quite a few of you?

They're just done by level - so I'll probably be in with a load of ten year olds. When you get more advanced you can do special dressage or cross or CSO.

There's only four signed up so far, so it'll be me on a horse and some Shetlands, none of my fellow adult beginners are signed up.

At the end of the week you can take whatever level exam you are up to - they do like tests and grading in France.

I'm not really bothered about getting levels but I'd like to have a nice ride before the end of the year - the horses go on their holidays next week until September.

Lesson in the morning! Depending on how it goes I’ll be looking at a fortnightly lesson I think at the full price and getting my son an assessment lesson to see if he likes the school too.

@cakeforme how did it go?

Had another fun lesson yesterday charging around on my pocket rocket pony while my loan mare is still a bit sore. We discovered he does a lovely extended canter but doesn't like gathering back up again once he's going

Well my dressage debut resulted in third place and my first ever rosette! I’m not sure how many I came third out of as it was split into age categories but I’m proud of myself and looking forward to the next event.

Well done @Tupperwarelid thats brilliant.

My lesson yesterday was great - more no stirrups obvs but starting to get back in the seat of the saddle more and trying to get better leg position. Lovely positive confidence boosting session though. Couple of weeks off now but I’ll be going back.

That's fantastic @Tupperwarelid - just competing is great but actually getting a rosette is even better.

I've finished my week of riding and actually did jumping for the first time ever. Scary but pleased with myself for doing it.

The horses all left for their holidays last night so no riding till September for me. Probably need a new thread by then!

I had my first ride back on my share horse today - it was great! He was in a really good mood (not always a given😬) and was even cuddly! I had a fabulous lesson, wasn’t as rusty as I thought I’d be, cantered on both reins and got him working nicely over his back, I’m still not allowed to drive so I’m relying on my daughter for lifts but I’m
starting to feel a lot more normal.

@Pleasedontdothat that is lovely news! so glad you managed to get back on and enjoy it. Do you know when you will be allowed to drive again?

@Pleasedontdothat so glad to hear you’re riding again.

Having decided to not ride ever again a few weeks ago, I have a lesson booked for tomorrow. 🙄

@theferry totally hear your logic. Hope it goes well. Let us know how you get on!

@theferry make sure this is your last lesson (and all the future ones too)!