My Ride on BJ

I posted this on the JL Discussion Board as well but thought I may as well post it on my own blog too. There is a thread on the JL board where you can post about your last ride, I have enjoyed reading these posts. I realized that I too could participate in this particular thread since I had recently had a little ride on a very cute sorrel gelding named "BJ" at Stevens' Training Center.

I last rode on Tuesday. I took my daughter to a riding lesson at this reining trainer's barn, when she was done he asked if Katie, my other daughter would like to ride and when she said no he asked me. I said yes.

I was nervous but not for long, nervous energy turned to extreme excitement/pleasure. I had forgotten what it is like to ride a really well trained horse. Oh my. My face was sore from smiling.

I started at a walk, leaning my reins on his neck for turns so quick and smooth, a slight squeeze to go into a jog. I wasn't expecting such a bumpy jog/trot. The trainer yelled out, "He's a whole lot smoother at the lope!" So after basically years, I had my first real good lope, around and around. I think the trainer was a little surprised I loped right away and so he quickly yells out, "If you're gonna stop make sure you say "whoa" before you pull on the reins so he doesn't stop too fast" Okay. I whisper"whoa" and just start to pick the rein up, he is already stopped. A horse that stops at the suggestion, ahhhhh.

The trainer says, "Get a real good feel of what he rides like cause this is what your horse is gonna be like." Can't wait.