Life can change in a heartbeat. I know that. I’ve lived through many of it’s twists and turns. Knocked down more times than I care to remember—just like you. Every time I come back a little stronger. Why? Because better things are coming.
I can feel that old spark coming back. A warmth spreading inside my chest as I approach riding with renewed energy. No longer am I weighed down by work stress. I’m relaxed and it shows in my riding.
The Three Little Pigs
Uh, did you hear that? My horse’s ears flick in response.
Overnight a front had blown in and the weather has changed quite a bit. The wind is creating eerie sounds that echo within the indoor. In the distance, I can hear the faint clang of metal. As we trot past a door, the wind howls and knocks it against the frame. Winter has finally arrived in New England and it’s attempting to get inside just like the Big Bad Wolf.
“Little pig, little pig, let me come in!”
There are now three horse and rider pairs in the indoor. Despite the wind I’ve had a fantastic lesson. What a difference it makes when you’re not carrying work stress in with you. I’m actually relaxed, huh.
Two of us picked up a canter. As we passed the open doorway the wind huffed and puffed and blew us in. Just like a straw house.
In slow motion I had witnessed her head pop up as she prepared to bounce to the side like a cat. I had just enough time to register that I was still holding the whip in my inside hand. “Crap!” (OK, so my language was a bit stronger than that.) I can’t perform a one rein stop! Drop the whip! Turn her to the inside! Bend, bend…
Whew! I looked around to see that we’d stopped in the center of the indoor.
My instructor applauded my ability to sit the spook and drop the whip. Then she confesses that three other students had come off horses earlier in the day.
Silly Wolf, you’ve filled your quota.
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December 19, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Marissa
Ha! Love the three little pigs story! Also, I totally relate to the work stress impacting riding and so glad it’s behind your for now.
Your entry reminded me… last weekend the barn’s instructor walked up to my horse (dancing and prancing like an imbecile on the crossties) and said “And there’s number three!” Apparently, our quota was not quite filled yet, and my horse looked like the next likely target. But I managed to stay on (for now)!
December 19, 2011 at 9:54 pm
dressage rider
I’m so glad that you weren’t number three! Afterwards I was thinking my dressage Equitation may not be the best but I can RIDE!
December 20, 2011 at 3:46 pm
theliteraryhorse
You’ve built your house with brick. You can RIDE. 🙂 (love the way you told the story, can’t resist)
Good thinking on dropping the whip. Not sure I would have thought of that.
Bravo, Lee!
December 20, 2011 at 4:03 pm
dressage rider
LOL, I’m a brick house! (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. Gotta love the Commodores http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrBx6mAWYPU)
December 20, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Shannon
Great story! It’s amazing how horses can feel our tension or relaxation and follow our lead.
I remember, back when I was working a crazy management type job, all I wanted was a nice, relaxing ride on my horse at the end of the day. Except my horse would pick up on my tension and spaz out. I learned not to ride after a bad day. Just groom and gossip, then go home. Or, have a beer before I rode.
When I turn my brain off, my riding improves exponentially!
December 20, 2011 at 8:16 pm
dressage rider
Funny that you mentioned having a beer before riding. I had seriously been thinking about doing that before I lost my job. Just one. Enough to take the edge off.
December 22, 2011 at 11:34 am
Bob Goddard
I don’t have a beer before my lessons, but it’s pretty much all I think about while I’m in the middle of one. I use it as mantra, so it’s okay.
December 23, 2011 at 4:58 pm
dressage rider
LOL, I don’t drink and ride either. Best to save it until afterwards — a reward for a job well done.
December 27, 2011 at 10:44 pm
Sarah Skerik
Well riddenWell ridden!
January 3, 2012 at 3:35 am
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[…] Cullen presents The Big Bad Wolf posted at Confessions of a Struggling Dressage […]
January 16, 2012 at 1:38 am
Molly
I always thought that the spooking was boredom but it is really strange that they all fixate on that door! What is with that?? I really think that those “hairy” moments on naughty horses is what develops our seats. So keep those spooks coming! (the nice manageable short lived ones not the locomotive with no brakes ones).
January 20, 2012 at 12:38 am
dressage rider
I love the locomotive analogy and I agree that it helps us improve our seats. I just wish it wasn’t happen so frequently.