As the title says!! I am so excited and beyond grateful for the opportunities I have to be able to start my adult amateur career after a super long break from riding. That being said, I want to push myself to really learn so I want to share the journey with others learning or wanting to learn, or those that don't mind sharing helpful tips. I especially want this to reach other adults that are thinking about getting into/back into riding that also had a fear it is too late. It's not, trust me, and it's so worth it!!

I'll start with a little backstory: I stopped riding after a fall took my confidence. Then some financial problems and I had to sell my old mare. After a while (like ~6 yrs), I realized I couldn't get away from horses (whether photography or other), and really wanted to ride again. So here I am!

I am currently learning with a hunter jumper barn about an hour drive from my home (it really isn't that bad *cry*). I got to ride the sweetest gelding named Zach the other day for my first lesson and everything came flooding back at once. I did have this weird surge of emotions, whether general nervousness or excitement I'm not sure, but he really did help calm that when we got going. At the moment it is just walk/trot while I relearn my skills and get used to riding again.

Pros: My instructor did say I still have a really good seat! She said I seem solid and confident in that aspect, even if I don't feel it in my mind. She reassured me I didn't have bad habits per se, but I do have a a problem with my toes
Cons: I used to have an issue when riding before of keeping my leg back too much when riding (I think that was just a weird saddle), but my instructor didn't see that. She said it moves a smidge in the trot which is to be expected from so long away. She suggested rolling more on my back pockets. Thus, what I thought was a habit with putting my leg back was actually just me reacting in what I felt was a way to stay balanced which puts me more on my toes and puts my heel up, which looks like it moves my leg back if that makes sense?? It didn't feel like I had to do that this time so I guess it isn't a habit. ALSO! Breathing in the trot! Any tips on remembering to keep my breathing in rhythm with it to avoid losing my breath as bad? Any tips on making my sitting trot smoother?

At the moment I am riding in a western saddle to start as that's what I used to ride normally, but I am definitely interested in moving to the hunter/jumpers and am curious how I could go about bringing it up if anyone has tips.

My next lesson is Thursday so I'll be back to update then!! - Thorn