I have been feeling a pretty burnt out lately. There isn’t anything specific to it and it isn’t specific to the horses or barn. Not sleeping a full night for over 9 months probably has something to do with it. I am still happy to go to the barn but I haven’t been my usually eager self about my rides. Until this weekend I did one dressage school on Inca and lots of ground work for Dobby. I always enjoy myself once I am in the saddle. Actually getting myself there has been a mental battle though.
The past few days have been just what I need though. On Friday Amanda ponied Inca out to the field so I could drive my truck out with a napping Bea. We both needed a mental recharge and just had fun. No agenda. Nothing to work on. Just pure fun. It was the perfect ride for where I was at mentally. I know that if I had tried to work on something it would have been a disaster. I love a green bean thats always up for fun. She had every excuse to be totally wild and instead gave me just the ride I needed.
On Saturday we got back to business and had a very productive dressage school. I didn’t pick one specific thing to work on rather just to be soft and straight. It wasn’t a very long ride but it was just perfect to get our head back in the game before hauling out for lessons on Sunday.
Where we live isn’t exactly flush with options when it comes to eventing trainers. Luckily for me Amanda had already found an awesome sauce trainer and when I moved here I was able to slip right into her crew. Logistically it isn’t as easy as a local trainer but I will take quality over quantity any day. While my rig is certainly feeling the mileage every trip is so worth it. When you have a buddy to travel with it makes the time go by faster too! Yesterday we even took advantage of the 2 hour round trip to catch up on a new warmblood breeder podcast.
Back to our lessons. My lesson with Inca was a lot of the same. I still need to sit up. I still need to be faster with my recovery time and reactions. The biggest take away for me was that I need to have more of a “get it done” attitude. I give up or decide I can’t do something before I even start and it is self fulfilling. It took me more times than I care to admit but I finally pulled it together and we finished strong and motivated! Inca was her usual freaking jumping self and I tried my best to do more than just hang on for the ride.
Last but not least was a lesson on Dobby! I originally thought he might get another training ride but Trainer said to hop on myself so off we went! I am so impressed with this baby horse under saddle. He has such a good attitude and is so quiet. I hadn’t ridden him in over a week and he hopped off the trailer like a pro. Adventures like this are just what he needs to get more comfortable with traveling, hanging out by the trailer, and working in new environments.
I started last week feeling tired and defeated. Going into this week I am excited and inspired.
I spy a horse show entry for one fancy pants gray horse….
Yay! So glad you pushed through the Blahs and had an awesome weekend of riding. Dobby looks freaking awesome! So excited for you!
I’m in a bit of a blah phase myself — winter always does that to me! Glad you powered through and had some great and productive lessons
I feel ya on the blahs!!! But it’s so nice to have a recharge ride and have it set everything back in place. And omg Dobby is seriously the bee’s knees!!!! If my next horse ends up being a TB I might have to hire Amanda and you to help out bc so far you guys have found perfect ponies!!!
Aww, Dobby is such a cutie. How exciting about a show entry!
Go Dobby!
Winter time blahs are a real thing. Also, you now have the logistics of timing your rides with a baby’s needs & routines. Not any easy feat. So give yourself a huge pat on the back.
Congratulations on the show entries!