Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Expectations

It was so much easier managing expectations for a ride back when Stinker and I were a hot mess.  I was excited if I could get him to walk or not have his head shoved in my face.  Slowly we got better and my expectations for my rides grew.  Unfortunately not all rides are going to be in the upward direction.  There will always be a ride that feels like a back slide.

At least he is cute!

My video lesson from last week was really good.  Stinker was fantastic, but I was unhappy with my riding.  I have been struggling with my balance lately and it is starting to wear on my confidence.  I think the problem is stemming from my hips.  They have been more out of whack than normal and it is starting to cause problems with my lower back.

I am a little obsessed with my bridle.

This weekend Stinker wasn't as on point as he has been.  He was more reactive than normal and I couldn't ever get him to his happy place.  Our trot work was a huge reversion and I felt like I didn't even have a shot because I couldn't get myself under control.  It was a very frustrating ride and I finally ended it on a semi decent note because all I wanted to do was cry (dramatic I know).

Stinker is getting better at waiting.

After I had time to think about things (aka eat a bag of potato chips and sulk), I realized I was actually mad at myself and the fact that I felt like I wasn't able to ride.  Ok I will admit poor D got a message that said something along the lines of I am a failure I can't ride my horse *crying face* (so dramatic).

Hill work makes for a tired Stinker.

Once I had my pout fest and got my shit back together I actually had a really good ride again.  I had no expectations and was just riding the horse I had and he rose to the challenge.  Now if I can just keep myself in check and remember that not everything is going to be perfect but I can ride my horse and we will keep improving.

13 comments:

  1. Girl text me anytime to vent. Ive been there and know I will again lol...thats the awful and wonderful thing about riding eh? Two steps forward, one step back. BUT you BOTH are improving even if it doesnt feel that way!

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    1. I need to go back and look at where we were at last fall to remind myself of our progress but I don't want to see how bad it was....

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    2. That helps me for sure :) I am trying to think more of the not so great rides as growing pains...and you have to experience those before you experience the good stuff.

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    3. Haha! I feel like dressage is always growing pains. You get one thing fixed then you discover 10 other things that need to be fixed/improved.

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  2. It can be really hard not to want upward progress always especially when things are going so good, but sometimes you or they are just not up to the party and that's aok!

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  3. I totally get it. Horses can be so inconsistent and it can be hard to judge progress on a ride to ride basis, taking a step back and looking at averages of performance over longer periods of time can help. Same goes for judging your own riding. I get after myself a lot over the physical parts of riding that I struggle with, but looking at the big picture I can see that I've improved with my mind as a rider and that counts too.
    It sounds like you were able to get through the mental stuff and still have productive rides and that's what's important!

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    1. Yes! I get too caught up in the moment and forget the big picture sometimes.

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  4. It's that whole "remembering that not every ride is going to be perfect" bit that I always forget. I just crave for those good rides, and when we don't have any for a brief period, it sure brings you down! But it's just another point in the training process. You will get over it again :)

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    1. Me too. Logically I know there will be ups and downs, but sometimes I forget logic. :)

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  5. Sometimes I think I'm my own worst enemy with overthinking things... It's hard!

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