Arriving

Today I arrived, early of course, to settle in and have another look around.

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My First Riding Lesson At Al Samariyah Equestrian Centre

I was given a big black horse named Emeron.  

Lessons started with walking around the ring, getting the feel of my horse and how we connect.

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The instructor Ben was funny and easy to laugh with.

His class focused on function then form or form then function. I can’t remember the order. If something happens, keep moving or speed up. Keep the horse’s head looking toward the inside of the ring. Avoid looking at the fence.  We worked on a rising trot and moving from a small circle to a bigger circle then changed directions. Then we practiced cantering.

I was too nervous, went to trot and Emeron decided he wanted to canter, and we were off.

As Ben said today – the first canter is free for the horse. The next ones are not. The horse needs to remember who is in charge. It is important that he knows he is working.

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Canter 1

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Canter 2

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Emeron enjoyed to move so I had to slow him down because I was nervous.

That said, he had a beautiful cantor.

I am so new and making so many mistakes.

I’m pleased I didn’t fall off.

After class I asked for a group photo. The two women, I think, have been taking lessons for a while together.  I will join them again next week for class.

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Cool Down

After class I rode Emeron back to his stall. A stable hand removed his saddle, then asked me if I wanted to hose him down.

Yes!

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I brought him back to his stall, removed his bridle and said goodbye for now.

S, 🇶🇦

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