First Dressage lesson was today!!

[TBgirl]

Well, I took 3 years of Dressage lessons a few years back, but today I had a Dressage lesson and it's been a while! It was so much fun and soooo hard! I think I did well. I rode a palomino mare named Jazzy. My new trainer told me that I have great balance, and a good seat. I just really have to work on keeping shoulders back, a straight line from my head down to my feet...and my hands! Ugh! It's so hard for me to keep my hands "in the box" with my thumbs always pointed up. My trainer told me to feel the horse's mouth, but not pull back, while driving her forward into my hands with my seat and legs. Dressage is so darn hard! She also had me doing alot of bending the horse with my hips and legs, while staying centered and sitting up tall.

After the lesson I asked the trainer where I am at as a rider. I said to her..."am I novice/intermediate...where am I?" She said to me, "I'd definitely say advanced." That was cool to hear. I know I always make some mistakes with my riding (my hands are the worst) and even looking back on those terrible photos I had of myself riding Jack (my old pinto gelding) I think I can see the mistakes better now. Well, hopefully with guidance I wont make those kinds of errors as often lol.

I cannot wait to buy another horse! I'm making myself wait until spring to do anything. I am already on all the track websites in my area, browsing the Thoroughbreds lol. I really like Haflingers too. I guess I'll know what horse is best for me when the time comes. Until then, my next lesson is this coming Wednesday night. :)

[Equine_Woman]

It's really great that you are using your time being horseless to improve your riding. I think that's a great thing to do!!! Now whenever you are ready to buy you won't have to get your muscles back into shape!!

[TBgirl]

You got that right Equine Woman!! Plus, I just couldn't go without riding...it's really the only thing that keeps me (somewhat) sane lol! I get horse withdrawals bad. The only bad thing about lessons is that you want to practice what you learn more then once a week. It makes me want to ride more and more. I didn't have a riding instructor at the barn I had my horse at (they didn't give lessons). The barn was great location wise (it was right around the corner from my home) but, I really really like having a trainer. I think I'll stick with this new barn when I buy another horse.

[All4Grace]

*claps*

Way to go!! I want to start dressage lessons again but I am without a trailer and haven't found any Dressage trainers that either come to my farm or teach of their own/schooling horses.

[Gypsy Rose]

Lessons are so nice to have- the only trouble is if you haven't had them in a long time, you discover all sorts of little things that you haven't been doing quite right for a long time.

Glad you have this opportunity to improve your riding- it will help you immensley when you seriously resume your horse hunt.

I haven't had a lesson in so many years, that I'm scared I'd have to start all over from the beginning- I probably have way too many bad habits, lol!

[Cat]

I'm jealous! I would love to find some lessons to take, but there are no decent trainers around here. The ones I have found are all a couple hours away. Glad you enjoyed yours!

[TBgirl]

Thanks guys!

All4Grace- I know what you mean! We have very few dressage trainers around my area as well. It's either gaming or huntseat, but primarily hunters are most popular here. I love all the disciplines, I just wish there was a little bit more dressage people around.

Gypsy Rose- That's so true. Sometimes all the reminders make you think to yourself...oh my gosh I can't believe I've been giving these mixed cues to my horse without knowing it! My biggest problem seems to be my hands. Do you ride dressage also?

Cat- Oh yes, same thing around here. I've been to many stables and I've seen alot of trainers make little kids cry and get off the horses during lessons, then ofcourse there are some QH trainers in my area that are borderline abusive (no offense at all to the QH world, just saying in my area we have some bad seeds). It's really hard to find a good trainer.

[Jump The Moon]

Awesome!
I've had dressage, and jumping lessons for the past 12 years and have just started a ''course'' of more advanced lessons one-to-one with Billy, in attempt to prepare him for competitions, lol.
It sounds like you're doing good and having fun - keep it up!

[Remali]

Sounds like you're doing great, lessons are so fun aren't they? And if you have a good trainer, that makes it even better. I used to take dressage lessons way back in 1982.....would love to get back into it, but I bet I am so out of shape now I'd have to start all over again, lol.

And I know what you mean about horses keeping you sane.....horses are the best for that!

Oh wow, a Haflinger would do very nice, they're such a nice breed! Whatever horse you get tho, it will be a nice one!

[SedonaThunder]

Congratulations to you! I'm gong to have to second Cat and say "I'm jealous" too!;)

When I first started in horses I just walked into a barn and started taking lessons ona lesson horse - it was soo much fun but I always wanted my own. I started leasing a horse at that barn so I still took two lessons a week for just over a year before I got my first horse and took her home. There are many wonderful things about having your horses at home.... but the lessons dissappeared - one wonderful thing about boarding is having the arena and trainer right there. For now I will live vicariously through you and perhaps your posts will inspire me to find a good trainer and haul my horse somewhere for lessons this winter!

[ImaBronsonBear]

*sigh* i'm jealous too. Except for one lesson a couple months ago, i haven't had any in years. For some reason i find it more important to spend money on my horse's shoes than on lessons for me... But i'm so glad it's all going to well for you! Are you going to continue with the lessons?

[TBgirl]

Jump the Moon- That's awesome! You and Billy really make a great team! Do you ever show dressage??

Remali- They are very fun! Having someone on the ground really helps alot. Why don't you get back into some lessons? What are your plans for Koko (sorry if I missed)? Do you think you'd ever want to do some dressage stuff with her? I love those taller haffies I think they are so adorable! I had the pleasure of exercising one at a stable in the past and he was a really nice horse!

SedonaThunder- Thank you! I'll definitely post what I am learning and keep you updated on any cool tips as I go along. :) It must be so nice to have your horsey at home! For me it was either lack of funds for lessons (when I owned my horses I was paying full board and didn't have the extra money for lessons) and then it was moving to a stable that was closer with lower board, but they didn't have a barn trainer.

Bronson- I can definitely understand why the shoes have to come first. Yep, I plan to continue on with the lessons. I still want to do some huntseat as well, so I think I'll switch it up here and there (the trainer teaches both).

[mlle_beau]

Dressage is so incredible, I can't wait until I feel ready to start taking lessons with a great instructor who is only about 4 miles from my house. I definately know what you mean about keeping your hands in the right position, I always struggle with that, lol. Good luck with your lessons and your horse search!

[Gliderider]

Sounds exciting :) I am looking for some one to give me some English lessons. Nothing fancy I need to learn the basics of English riding like posting.:o I have always rode western or on gaited horses. I have a couple of leads for lessons I need to check out. I think its great you are taking lessons. Now when you find your dream horse you will be ready. :)

[Blue]

Cool! I'm going to take a few dressage lessons soon, just to help with my position and stuff. I was going to do dressage, but money's kind of short right now and I can't afford to trailer off to lessons every week and the shows are more expensive. So right now I'm mainly doing hunters.

Good luck with your horse search...even if it's next Spring! lol. Hopefully I'll be looking for my own horse soon too!

[TBgirl]

mlle beau- Thank you! It is quite incredible, isn't it? It's very hard to learn. I will admit, there were times in my past when I felt that I wanted to just go back to huntseat because it was easier (for me)...but I always have loved dressage.

Gliderider- I have only ridden one gaited horse (a missouri fox trotter- they are considered gaited, right??) he was one cool gelding. It's definitely a totally different feeling on a gaited horse, but once you get used to it they are so smooth!

JGH- Thank you and same to you (about the horse hunt). :) I know what you mean about dressage being so expensive. I would have loved to have gone back to my original dressage trainer. He is a super nice older German man. But, he charges $40 a lesson compared to $25 I'm paying now. Plus board was always so much higher at his stable. Granted it was a beautiful stable, but still.

[Annasmom]

I agree with equine- thats awesome that your spending your horseless time improving yourself your new horse will love that.

[Lakota's Pet]

That's great. I took some lessons a few months ago, and I had more fun there than I had in a long time. Just wondering, who are you taking lessons with? I know you are from the same area as me. Good luck with your lessons and let us know how it goes.

[TBgirl]

Annasmom- thank you! :)

Lakota- thank you! I'll PM you.