We've Come This Far, Don't You Be Scared Now....

Well things have been going really well with Amber, and I figured it was about time I updated!! Last Sunday we had an outstanding ride, absolutely outstanding. Amber was responsive, light, and listening. I felt comfortable and confident, it was wonderful! Then monday rolls around and I go to ride her again, but this time it was a completely less then stellar ride. She was agitated and spooky, I tried to ride it out as best I could but I could feel myself getting agitated and spooky. And when I get nervous I lean forward, or pull on her face, or tense up really bad. I've been doing a lot better lately, and I mean a lot better then I have on her in a couple of years, but Monday I felt things going in a downward spiral so I just made her trot nicely around in each direction and then called it a day.

After that I gave her 4 days off, partially because I was busy, but mostly because I was nervous about getting back on her again, even though I hate to admit that. So yesterday I finally went back to the barn, and it was cold and it was super windy, and I'm thinking "Great, crappy weather, she's been off for 4 days, I'm going to die" But I swallowed the fear, and rode her anyway. She was really very good! We just did flat work, walk/trot and a couple of short canters. It wasn't a long ride but I wanted to end it on a good note!

Today I had a stellar ride!! She was great, had the best canter we've had in a very long time! When I started jumping she got super excited, and threw a hissy fit when I wouldn't let her take off toward the jump, but I worked through it and still managed to get over it beautifully. Then jumped it a couple more times and she was great!!

A big part of it is I'm finally learning how to ride her. I've had 4 different trainers since I bought Amber 7 years ago, and while all of them told me how to ride, none of them helped me learn how to ride Amber. She's a smart, sensitive horse and needs to be ridden a specific way. With the help of my new friend Megan (Who has been an absolute godsend to me and Amber) I am finally learning how to ride Amber effectively, get her through a spook or a temper tantrum, and ride her to bring out the best in her!

We were initially planning on going to a starter horse trial at the Kentucky horse park in the middle of October, but financial issues are keeping me from being able to compete. That's ok though it will give us more time to get ready for the next one!! Over all I'm just really happy and optimistic about Amber, for the first in a long time.

These are some pictures from our ride today!