Riding Winnie

Saturday 18th of July I did something I cannot remember ever doing before... I had my first ever solo ride on Winnie! I went up to her field nice and early and she was still laying down asleep. I caught her easily and bought her down to the yard. I tacked her up and took her in the school. She was a little on edge but we did walk and trot with some transitions and things, then I lent down and open the gate on her (for the first time) and together we went for a little walk up past the fields and back.  It was really nice. I made sure I spoke to other people that were also up early so that people knew I was around and what I was doing. If something went wrong I wanted the security of knowing people knew where I was.  It's the first time I've ever taken Winn out for a little walk on my own and I now understand why people like going on solo hacks. There's something really lovely about it just being you and your horse. It's an excellent bonding exercise I think. Just the two...

I have always been a nervous rider. I had my confidence knocked by an instructor when I was younger and that meant I had to slowly rebuild it. Just as I was starting to get better I then had another knock, and then another. It's meant that even though I've had lessons, they've barely gone on for 3 months before I've had to go back to basics.  Last year I finally found an instructor that I really got on with. She's super patient with me, doesn't push me to do more than I am happy with and I've steadily grown in confidence to the point that I was happy to get on and ride for short lessons! And then... Corona. We went into lock down and suddenly we weren't allowed to ride, or work and I steadily lost my confidence again the longer I didn't ride. Then we moved stable yards... Tuesday 7th July: We arrived with the horses to the new stables! We got them settled in their field with all their lush new grass. Winnie had her dinner as usual including a nice bi...