I went on my first trail ride today... with the horse of course ;)

**chicago** · 11-15-2008, 04:56 PM

yeah for me!!

let me start by saying last week's lesson was awful

. With the exboyfriend coming to my house and dropping the bomb the night before (last Friday night), I don't know how I had the guts or energy or sanity to make it to my lesson last Saturday... but I did. ... but it was awful

Not only did I feel like crap and felt like crying on the spot, but some guy showed up at my lesson and stood in the arena the entire time (with my trainer) and critiqued me... wtf? I finally asked who he was... and he introduced himself and said he will be taking lessons with my trainer and came by to get a preview. Well I should have said something, but I didn't because I had so much going on in my head... I just wanted to make it through my lesson and go home. It was difficult to concentrate with him in the arena not only talking because he was talking to my trainer, but he was critiquing me!! Finally 50min later, 10min before my hour lesson, I told my trainer I was done. She was stunned... as I'm usually on the horse for 1.5hrs at least, and I hang at the barn for as long as I can to get as much as I can from the horses. ... but this day it was different, I was in and out of there in a flash and I cried the whole way home.

So fast forward to today... and I go to my lesson hoping that that guy is not there and if he was... I was certainly going to ask him to leave... because this is my lesson and he needs to be "out" of the arena, thank you.

So when I appear today... my trainer says "I was wondering how you'd feel if we took your lesson out on the trail today"

OMG!! I said "Mona, you are only saying that cause I was dumped by my boyfriend last week and you feel bad for me", LOL!!... and she said "well yeah, and that it's getting cold and we need to get out there before the snow and I think you deserve a trail ride"...

and so I went............... and it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO great! I took Lance who I have never ridden because Lady (who I normally train on in the arena) gets too high spirited out on trail.

I did tell her on the way how I did not like that guy last week and how I felt it was wrong for him to be there last week and she did apologize and say she thought he was only going to stay a minute... and she said she was sorry.

but today was great, it was absolutely great! I trotted Lance and he cantered unexpectedly and I almost fell-off and my trainer said "that was a good test", ha ha

I did okay...

it was a great day. One week post break-up and I'm doing okay. When my trainer asked if I wanted to go on trail today, I knew it would be okay... even without the boyfriend and as sad as I am... it will be okay.

Thanks for listening

**Biciclista** · 11-15-2008, 06:19 PM

you went trail riding on a horse and we don't get to see pictures?

I'm glad you spoke up to your instructor about what happened at your other lesson. IMHO she owed you anyway!
and, Yes, there IS life after breakups.

**redrhodie** · 11-16-2008, 04:41 AM

Glad you had fun! You deserve it!

You're doing the best thing you can do for yourself right now, keeping busy. Smart girl! Even better days are ahead.

**pardes** · 11-16-2008, 05:51 AM

Good for you Chicago! Trail rides are fantastic and horses are wonderful.

Please see my last post on the "Drifting" thread. I'd post it here but it's so far off-topic that it's in another solar system.

**chicago** · 11-16-2008, 06:50 AM

okay, here are some pics... they are blurry cause I took them with my phone

**salsabike** · 11-16-2008, 08:22 AM

Chicago, I envy that...hope you keep having fun. I love horses.

Things'll get better, too.

**smurfalicious** · 11-16-2008, 09:36 AM

Hoooray! Trail riding is the best! Okay, horses are the best, but whatever. Whenever I need to clear my head I point PJ's nose toward the trail and things get better. He gives the most amazing hugs, and he's the only guy that's been in my life 6 years that I like more and more each day.

After I found out that the guy I had been seeing forget to mention his wife and all the other girls he was running around with I was livid. Pony to the rescue! I tossed his bridle on, climb on him from the tailgate of my pickup and took off running like mad down the ditch road. I just grabbed a chunk of mane and let loose.

Keep it up, you'll totally love the rewards of hard work. Nothing is better than solid old school horses. As for that guy, hah! If you're taking lessons, and hey I plan to get back into some, you are in no position to criticize. He probably sucks but learned a few phrases that make him sound like he knows what he's doing and he needs to feel better about himself. Anyone with any knowledge sure as hell knows better than to pick on a beginner because we all looked goofy in the beginning. What he should have been looking for was her interaction with you, that he prevented.

When I first started my trainer thought I was a lost cause but I was so determined. Sure enough I worked and worked and eventually got to the point where I was cleaning up in hunt seat and western equitation.

It never gets easy, but it sure does become a lot more natural. I think what I love so much about horses is that I could learn something new every day for the rest of my life and not know it all. You can go as far as you want with horsemanship. There's always another level, and more finesse to be had.

Behold the girl no one thought could ride ripping it up on the sexy boy she trained herself:

And if you want to set goals for your horsemanship here are some fine videos. Warning you now the first one makes me cry the minute the announcer chokes up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHck0FWT_Ag

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKQgT...eature=related

**chicago** · 11-16-2008, 11:18 AM

smurf!!, that is an awesome picture!!! thank you for posting that!!!

I'm going to watch the youtubes now... thank you so much... you rock!

**Biciclista** · 11-16-2008, 12:52 PM

well, it's been a few years since i've seen a barrel racer, and i see they've managed to put advertising on the BARREL now too.

is nothing sacred?
Smurf, awesome photo of you and your horse,

Chicago, that blurry photo was all I needed. For a sec I could smell the horses and the woods. Thanks

**Mr. Bloom** · 11-16-2008, 06:48 PM

I'm in Chicago right now. IT'S COLD!

**Mr. Bloom** · 11-16-2008, 06:49 PM

...and I'm very glad your day went well!

**chicago** · 11-17-2008, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

I'm in Chicago right now. IT'S COLD!

LOL!! "This" is not cold!! You want cold... wait until January when it's 30 below with 50 below wind chill factor... now THAT's cold

This is still Fall weather...

**Mr. Bloom** · 11-17-2008, 03:49 PM

Some in our meeting group were from Naples Florida asking "why are we meeting in Chicago in November?"; I had to agree with them...

**arielmoon** · 11-17-2008, 05:53 PM

I am glad you had fun on the trail ride and spoke to your trainer about the last lesson. You are paying for her time and undivided attention.

I am fortunate that my horse is good on the trails as well as in the arena because it is so nice to have a change of scenery. I try to trail ride once a week.

I love that reining freestyle vid- it is truely remarkable and I love that song.

**LoriO** · 11-18-2008, 10:46 AM

I love riding my bike, but not even that can compare to an afternoons trail ride in the woods with just me and my horse. It is so peaceful and relaxing and everyday troubles are just totally left behind. Glad that you got to experience that incredible feeling for yourself!

Here are some pics of my girl Lizzy enjoying herself out in the pasture one day!

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