After many long years, I have finally set up riding lessons again. I am so pleased and excited. I will be riding at Spicewood Farm, with Shari, and I am just so happy.
My first lesson will be an evaluation lesson, for 30 minutes and then after that I will be taking full hour lessons. Note to self: stock up on ice and Advil.
The plan is to start with lessons, then move toward shareboarding a horse, and then perhaps finally owning a horse of my own. I am naturally risk-averse, and I don’t want to get into something that we find we can’t afford, hence I’m not going to be riding for six months and then try to find a horse to buy right away. But shareboarding, in which I would take on half the costs of a horse’s care, is most likely doable.
Oh, the things I must do to get ready! A new helmet, because although my old one is Pony Club approved, it is old and it’s like a bike helmet — it’s brain protection and I shouldn’t skimp. I may go ahead and buy breeches, because jeans aren’t as comfortable. I do have gloves somewhere, and will need those to prevent blisters (also, to improve hand position and keeping the reins the right length).
I am so happy and excited! Woo-hoo!
Riding again after so many years. English riding (sorry Western fans, it’s just that there’s so much saddle — it gets in the way).
5 Comments
J, Cheney · August 2, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Do you know, I’ve never ridden English….ever…
Sounds great!
Patrice Sarath · August 2, 2009 at 6:20 pm
It mostly depends on what part of the country you start out in, I think. I grew up in Connecticut, and there weren’t many people who rode Western. Ooh, except for this one guy. Mr. Katz. A bigwig in my town. Very wealthy, loved horses, and got elected constable one year. He really took to the job. So he was known for wearing a sheepskin coat and a Stetson. The newspaper nicknamed him The Urbane Cowboy.
J, Cheney · August 3, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Well, at least he wasn’t Naked.
Being Texas born and bred, western was the first thing my rump ended up on. I’ve sat on a side-saddle, but never ridden one….like to try that too, someday.
Patrice Sarath · August 3, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Ooh, sidesaddle. Can you imagine — they used to jump cross-country on those things?! Those were some tough women. Or crazy.
J, Cheney · August 4, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I know! I had a friend who rode…I don’t know if there’s a special name for it….with a Mexican horsemanship group, so they dressed in the most amazing costumes and did parades, etc. It was very cool.
Cannot imagine hunting on one of those.