Two teenage girls were getting a lesson on riding barrels so I learned alot from watching that. It was interesting to watch the girls try and figure out the placements for the turns. The turn on 3rd seemed to be especially hard for them. The horses were also taking advantage of them a bit and going really wide if the girls didn't give good cues. After a few times around the pattern, the girls relaxed and were laughing and wooping it up - it must've been a nice break from their regular lesson.
I got Rusty ready and warmed him up a bit and I couldn't resist the barrels. We trotted the pattern a few times and after that went ok, I would canter between 2nd and 3rd, trot the turn and then canter home. It was pretty damn fun, let me tell you! Sorry there are no pictures yet again, but I was alone... I can totally see why some of you love barrels so much! I'm sure Rusty has done games before, he seemed really willing to take the turns and once he got warmed up was cantering along nicely. He isn't particularly fast, but it sure was a fun break from the regular rides we do. I'll be sure to mess around with the barrels a couple of times a week from now on.
I had a pretty big smile on my face when I was done riding - I haven't felt that comfortable cantering (on any horse) in quite some time. I wasn't worried about falling, my seat or Rusty taking off. I guess I'm starting to trust him a bit more. Here's to progress!
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On an unrelated note, I found this cute picture online or in an email someone sent me and thought I'd post it...
9 comments:
Well if you enjoyed it - you'll have to do it again. Maybe you two are the next bad ass barrel racers out there just waiting to discover your abilities.... :)
Steph - thinking of Rusty and I as "bad-ass" cracks me right up! lol
Maybe I'll have to order a BC barrel saddle! I won't look like a total poseur in it! ;-)
yay for you! Sounds like a fun ride and love that you felt so confident, that is such a great feeling as it can be there one day and gone the next- for me it is anyways. Keep up the fun and good work!
Oh yeah, barrels are fun. They usually have three of them set out in the arena at the Fairgrounds near me.
Whoohooo! You go girl! Sounds like a blast! I'm glad Rusty enjoys barrels, too.
Now next time, take pictures, already!
:D
~Lisa
I had a blast doing the barrels, even though we just walked.
Just what you needed!
I grew up "running" barrels and let me tell ya...I have spend a thousand times more time going slow around them than I ever have fast-LOL.
Next on the list for you two is Pole Bending! Now that is f.u.n.-even trotting.
PS-Glad you had fun on vacation. I hear ya on getting away from it ALL...including the computer and such sometimes. We spent Easter at Chris' mom's house and she doesn't have a tv. It was NICE! Doesn't mean I want to give mine up permanently, but it was really relaxing for a few days.
I agree with BEC, poles are FUN! Although I have to say that I find them more difficult than barrels.
I find my BC barrel saddle comfy even for trail riding in, so if you were kidding maybe you should put some serious thought into it :)
ps - YAY! I'm so glad you're having fun at a canter. I know how it feels to lose that confidence.
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