Short Stirrups

Well, things are moving along here in Western Pennsylvania. MISSY is being ridden every day, except on Mondays. She has a new friend also- a woman who takes lessons riding Western once a week or so, and she is a wife and mother who can't afford a horse, so I "gave" her MISSY to ride on Fridays. I know how it feels not to have a horse, and MISSY is a special gift that I want to share with everybody! Just kidding- NOT everybody. Otherwise, I would never be able to ride her!

I watched part of a Frank Madden clinic last Saturday. My boss's wife took me and we really enjoyed it. One thing that he talked about was how the Italians, with their hot Thoroughbred-type horses, developed the art of riding with your seat. The Germans, with their Warmbloods, developed the use of riding with their legs. I guess that when you perfect BOTH of these riding styles, you RULE.

MISSY and I enjoyed our first riding lesson together this past Wednesday. Our instructor said that she is VERY responsive. She also SHORTENED MY STIRRUPS. OUCH! Besides my legs being cramped (now I remember why I like Dressage so much!!!), I learned that my legs had begun to creep forward so much that now I can almost pick my horse's nose with the toes of my boots! (That's NOT a good thing!) Oh, it was SOOOO much easier to ride in my Dressage saddle! My new close-contact provides my legs and seat TOO much room to slide off-balance, making my poor horse sweat and fuss as she swoops back and forth and sideways to rescue her beautiful girl from falling off!

So, we are NOT going to enter a show in two weekends that I was looking forward to. Not only because of me, but also because MISSY goes with her head up in the air and not on the bit, like all the people's horses that win shows do. I attempted to lunge MISSY with side-reins, but she didn't understand what I was asking her to do, and after going so long with her head up and aching, she finally quit trotting for me. I do know that I had the side-reins too tight for her first time. Are there any other suggestions? I guess I had been told that getting your horse "on the bit" was not important in the beginning, but these new riding-friends I have believe it's the most important thing! Maybe it is- what do you all think? Let me know, okay? Otherwise, I'll keep trying to teach her a little bit at a time and figure out how to be competitive in a show at some other time. I'm aiming for another month- there'll be another minor show then that I can attempt to enter. Wish me luck!