I got to the farm early, knowing it would likely be a process finding chaps that actually fit. After some trial and lots of error, I found a fantastic pair that fit me perfectly. They are also a pair that I will be able to have taken in as I slim down, at least for awhile. I finished up with that just about the time I needed to be getting to the office to meet up with my instructor, Joy.
We went right down to the barn and I met the horse (not a tiger!**) I’d be riding, Junebug. She was a decent sized gray, and Joy warned me how stubborn she is. I had kind of guessed they’d put me on a horse like that this ride, so I wasn’t too shocked. I got tacked up and we went out to the ring. I was thankful because she took me to a ring that was far removed from where everyone else was. I knew this lesson would be ugly on my part, so I was glad to not have a big audience of passersby to watch and wonder what the heck I was doing.
We started out with a vertical exercise, which was basically just standing in the stirrups and finding your center of balance. We moved on to two point, which is jumping position. Then we alternated between the two for awhile. We did some posting trot, and I’m pleased to say that I remembered how to find my lead and how to post… there was the small matter of my leg muscles thinking I’d lost my effing mind and objecting at every step. I did OK though. My hands, as always, were a mess. I’ve been riding for 16 years, more on than off, and my hands are still a disaster. My legs looked great and felt great… at least that’s a consistent in my equestrian career. Junebug was indeed stubborn, and took a lot of effort. Joy gave me lots of breaks though, so that helped. We did a little bit of canter too, and I stuck with Junebug even through a little almost buck.
After we were done, I got Junebug back to the stall and untacked before the dehydration an heat got to me. I felt pretty sick and lightheaded, so I sat down in the aisle. Joy came and found me, and immediately got me water. She said that lots of riders were having that response the last few weeks because it is so humid and hot. After two cups of water, I was feeling monumentally better. I went and got my registration information and came home.
There was a small wrench in the works. This farm requires that you pay for a full 9-10 week block of lessons up front, before the block begins. Knowing this now, it won’t be an issue for 2nd block this year. It does not, however, help me with this first block. I hadn’t been aware of that, and I had kind of found this facility unexpectedly… so I don’t have the money just laying around. For all the other blocks I can just put the money away each month leading up to the next block and I’ll be fine. I was freaking out a little, because I don’t have the cash to pay for the first block. Jake IMed me and said that he’d sent me a present… the money for the first block of lessons. I told him that was too expensive and he said, “But it’s just a drop in the bucket because I know how much you love horses and how much you want this.” Yes, I cried.
I’ll fill out my paperwork, write a check, and get it back to them ASAP. My class time is 7:30 on Tuesdays, which is absolutely perfect. I want to get this stuff back to the farm as soon as I can to ensure my place in the class.
Now I must go pass out. My legs are already killing me. Getting back into this is going to be really tough on my body, but I’m 100% committed to it.
