Lesson Recap with Video!!!

Yes! I have media, and not just any media but a video.

Unfortunately we had the heater running so there was a very loud buzzing in the background that covered up everything and was annoying to listen to. Instead you get to listen to one of my favorite tracks from the past month. However, even if you can't hear what Jane's saying you can see how effective she is in changing the way I'm riding.

Just to recap my rides last week, I was out of town through Thursday and wasn't able to make it to the barn on Friday which meant that Katai hadn't been ridden since Sunday. When I got to the barn on Saturday she was fine in the crossties but a little firecracker to ride and she actually had such a hump in her back that I almost got off and lunged. Instead I was able to ride her through it and got some good stretchy work. I was able to get her loosened up enough that I was encouraged that my lesson would be productive.

You can watch in 1080 if you go to Youtube and see the full quality video 

if you're curious about the quality from the Polaroid Cube

The first clip is from early in the lesson where Katai was quite stiff and reluctant to bend appropriately. The second clip is from closer to the middle of the lesson where we were starting to get Katai much looser. Finally, the third clip is a walk break and you may be tempted to skip to the end but if you watch till the last couple of seconds there's a good easter egg curtesy of Jane ;)

I love my instructor!!

There isn't much that's exciting to watch since we were just focused on helping Katai loosen up and get steadier in the contact after the break while I was in Seattle. We did some leg yields and canter spirals at the end but unfortunately I didn't think to charge the camera before my lesson so it stopped before we got there. I'll try again next time and hopefully have more interesting movements to watch.

I may have my next lesson this evening but if the weather is as bad as they say it will be I'll have it this weekend instead. Either way I'll post a recap!

How Justin Bieber Relates to My Riding

What the heck does Justin Bieber have to do with my riding you are wondering. I had this unique epiphany the other day on one of my drives to the barn when the Justin Bieber song "Love Yourself" came on the radio that had to do with who I am as a person and a rider.

I am a very intense person. When I get a thought in my head I will persist with it until I have an answer. I've had to learn to tone it down at work but when it comes to horses I'm stubborn, driven, tense and intense and not always good at calming down. I've been aware for a long time that this is probably party why Katai is rushy and tight with me riding but completely changing my way of being isn't easy.

The epiphany was about how this relates to my music choices. For about 14 years of my life I did this.



It's intense, dark, and tough. There's nothing relaxed or easy about this music or most of my music choices into my late twenties. One of my favorite songs from a play list that I created a few years ago was Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars.



It's a gorgeous song but again, intense and driving and there's nothing easy about it.

Recently though I've realized that I'm being drawn towards a different type of music. Music that's lighter and more carefree with a really easy sound. One example is Skinny Love by Bon Iver.



But Love Yourself by Justin Bieber is an even better example. I've been enjoying it every time it comes on the radio but the other night when I heard it, especially the part at 2:44, I had this realization that this is how I want to ride. The relaxed, easy, go with the flow sort of riding rather than how I normally ride and operate in general.



Easier said than done but next time I ride I'm going to be thinking of Justin Bieber.