by Flyin' High » Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:28 pm
#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#ok, im 18 and have been riding since i was 3.. so about 15 yrs... when i was younger, i was in constant lessons ( 2 a week at one point) with very well known coaches who i would part board from. wheni left one very well known trainer (simply not enough money) i began working in exchange for riding. at that point i was not taking lessons and only in gr 7.. and i was *training* a 4 y/o QH...#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#then i moved to a barn where i had the same type of situation....#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#once i left there, i was out of riding for a bit. when i got back in i was in for about 6 weeks doing the whole.. one lesson a week thing... it bothered me because i had NEVER done it.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#my moms friend then approached me and asked me to work and train her 4 y/o mare. i immediatly took her up on the offer and ended up riding and training the mare with no coaching. the barn this took place at then led me to find 2 AMAZING coaches, and yet another young horse to ride and train, whom i began lessons on again (paid for by the owner of the horse) my coach was perfect for me and i love her to pieces. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#eventually i went on to buy my first horse, and boarded her at this stable, however couldnt afford to keep up on lessons, so for 2 years i relied on my previous knowledge i had gathered from many good coaches.. and did WELL with my mare. when i sold her, i bough a yearling, who is now 2.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#i bought him last september, and just broke him in march. i have had a coach working with us for a wopping 6weeks now, and even then the lessons aren't set in stone, its kinda "whenever we're both free"#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#i've trained my horse from the ground up, taught him how to lead, tie, lunge, and RIDE!! i was the first one on him, and by myself when i did break him (not the smartest idea i know)#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#so i *DO* understand where you're coming from!! evenb though i have had quite a lot of triaining in my younger years, i havent had ALOT recently, and yet iknow im still a good rider. i compete and do well and feel no regrets about how i have gone about learning to ride.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#it is difficult to hear everyone talk about how they have had soooo much training and still are getting it, and yet i know that i am able to look on my younger years for the knowledge i need.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#it also helps knowing that if i really wanted it, i probably could afford the big time training, however i'd have to sell my baby and settle for only riding once or twice a week on a horse that isnt mine..... IMO i'd rater keep my boy!!!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#