Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
I tried something new last week. I took a riding lesson in an age-old but new-to-me riding discipline, dressage. Dressage is one of the equestrian events in the Olympics. You may have seen the riders in formal coats with tails, white breeches and top hats perform specific maneuvers in an arena. Dressage doesn’t involve jumping but that would be another fun discipline to try.
Why dressage? Well, winter is tough on this fair-weather rider so taking a lesson indoors has a certain appeal. Besides I was looking for something to stretch me as a rider and help me progress. In addition, I am not satisfied with my abilities to work with my own horses on upper level manuevers like flying lead changes. I actually searched for a reining trainer but couldn’t find one close enough.
So I talked with a friend and she recommended the gal she takes lessons from, Lisa Royal. I visited her barn and then arranged for last Friday’s lesson. I made an effort to ride three times in the week or so before the lesson, just so I wouldn’t be too rusty. But I have to admit I was a little apprehensive. It’s always a little intimidating to have someone you don’t know watch you ride. Plus, I have very little knowledge about dressage besides what I’ve watched on tv or read about on the internet.
But it was fun and I’ve already made plans to take another lesson. The first lesson was very basic so I will have to wait to discuss intelligently the difference between riding western and dressage with the exception of the saddle, of course. It was a little strange not to have a saddle horn and pommel/swell in the front for security but I never felt in danger of falling off. Just in case, I rode with a helmet that is actually borrowed from our daughter, Jayme. For this lesson I rode in blue jeans so I had the whole wedding adage covered.
If I was smart, I’d stop right here. But I’ve never claimed high intelligence so…
I guess I could stretch it to say that like a wedding is a new start for two people, this lesson is a new start for this seasoned, western cowgirl.
I guess I could stretch it to say that like two people who have to learn how to how to become one, I’ll have to learn how to connect with this new lesson horse.
Right now I’m not sure what kind of commitment I’ll make to these lessons. Not the best way to start a marriage so maybe I’m really just dating at this stage. I hope to take a few more lessons before our trip to Uganda in March. Then I’ll have to re-evaluate.
Enough foolishness from me but here’s something that will make reading this blog worthwhile…Note: I’ll never get to this level but it sure is fun to watch this mare:
