#61 - Had my first professional riding lesson today

I drove to Bolinda today to have the first riding lesson of my life with Kim. I've been on horses since I was about 11 years old but was never taught and never really accomplished at it. I decided when I got Teddy that I wanted to be a good horse person on the ground and in the saddle. Today was my first step towards the latter. I will be working at it a lot now I am on a holiday break.

Kim from Aurum Equestrian Centre was great, really friendly, down to earth and explained herself well. Luckily I knew a person who put in a good word for me as she doesn't advertise lessons any more and is apparently selective about who she will take on.

I rode a beautiful 16.1 hh palomino gelding named Dick. Stocky as they come. Unfortunately for Dick I called him Teddy more times then not. Ahh well!

I have started at the very beginning as its important to me that I master balance and rhythm. It also appears that I have unknowingly been riding western style. I neck rein, sit deep etc. But these lessons will be based in dressage; though I doubt I will be progressing to traditional dressage work.

I learnt a lot in my first day and was really happy that I'm finally on the path to accomplishing another dream. I will be back in the saddle on Thursday.

Until then I will continue to do ground work with Teddy and prepare him for saddle work as I learn it. Tomorrow I will just tack him up and not ride, just to see how he goes with the bit. If all goes well I will do some ground work with him across the road at the riding centre.

It was like Teddy knew I was going to see another horse this morning. As I left he was neighing out and buying for my attention. He got a quick chat and then I was in the car. When I got home we hung out and I told him all about the new smell on my jumper! He was more interested in tickling my feet though!