Introducing, my 2016 old self!
- at this point, I was on a strict diet and on a journey to where I am to this day; I wasn't comfortable nor happy with my body, the way I looked, and I wanted to build muscle and tone myself out in the hopes of at least looking in the mirror and having no shame for who I am. I was very self-conscious of myself around this time, and it took a lot of work but I was motivated to lose the weight I now no longer have, and clean myself up!
(http://i.imgur.com/7gQdWdk.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/pbHEJB4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/8oajLIc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/TTYKS9L.jpg)
Sailor!
A gorgeous grey cob who was a bit of a grumpy one, but incredibly comfortable and very punk-like. He sadly retired this year as a problem in his leg has been identified at the beginning of 2017, and he has now moved to live with his old owner where he'll be happily munching on the grass in a field. This horse taught me a lot, especially how to have patience!
By this time, I was also building my confidence in jumping during my horse riding lessons. I rode a beautiful (but moody) chestnut mare called Cally, who doesn't jump 'very' high and doesn't have an uphill approach to jumps, but has taught me so much along with my instructors, Jane and Kim, and the owner of my riding school- Pat.
At first, not only was I incredibly unfit and not completely balanced, but I was also a very anxious rider and tensed a lot through the leg; which didn't help me one bit when trying to slow down any pony I've ridden thus far. I gripped with my thighs often and leaned forward a lot, which meant that I had no foot in the stirrups of my saddle and was simply allowing my pony to do as they pleased and run. However, with a lot of practice, I got my position correct and my feet back where they belong, and that's when jumping really kicked off for me; I joined the jumping clinic that happens every fortnight, and rode with much more experienced jumpers around my age group and learnt not only from them, but from Cally as well- flatwork has kicked in too, and has helped me improve my positions.
(http://i.imgur.com/iboWxvx.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/s9I5plO.jpg)
Also, meet Tommy!
Tommy is a piebald cob that came to our riding school as a trekking pony, accompanied by two other cobs named Nobby and Peter Pan. Tommy is, I think, the oldest but the trio both came in as trekking ponies and had to be put under quarantine as we found they had been infested with worms. Once they were clear and treated, weight had been put on by the three of them to be in their best condition, Tommy started work and has progressed SOOOOOO far already it's completely unebelievable! He used to canter very oddly, much like a very buff man moving his muscular arms infront of eachother and not quite being able to shuffle his arms round- but now he absolutely flows. We started jumping him rather early once we had sorted out his transitions and the movement in his gaits, and he absolutely loved it! We used jumps that were not only very inviting, but also very forgiving should he have ever put a foot wrong. Bless his heart! He jumps wonderfully- but used to charge through the jumps at first and didn't quite understand the concept of 'jumping' them at first xD. Learning so much, he now has proven he has much talent to develop and show off; but sadly I haven't been able to do any more jumping with him as of December, as something happened with his back (nothing that needed serious attention, but a minor injury) and his saddle has now been changed and he's been found much more comfortable and happier where he is now.
-I'm even hoping to ride him this Sunday!