Riding Lessons

Last night was riding lesson night with my youngest student (7). This was her 4th lesson and she has been struggling with the trot. She is still riding bareback with the halter and is doing great at the walk, but the trot scares the bejesus out of her. Last week she had to ride Brandy because Sadie had decided to jump a gate and cut her leg. They got along well, but Brandy has a much rougher trot and a bony back. Jaylee valiantly tried to sit the trot, but instinctivly "kneed up" whenever she attempted the trot. Near the end of the lesson I had her recite the ABC's while lunging. Much better seat. We ended on that high note. Now this week, she is back on Sadie. We begin with walking exercises (figure 8, poles, serpintines) and now it is time to practice the trot. Jaylee immediately stiffens up. I start her on breathing exercises and once she begins to relax I encourage her to cue Sadie for the trot. She starts off okay, but the knees soon start to inch up and she is so stiff in her arms, that she pushes herself back. We reposition and begin again. This time I start asking her about her upcoming trip, 4th of July, etc. Soon she is relaxing, reaching down with her heels and sitting up taller. We practice on the lunge for a few minutes and then I send her out on her own. Again the tension. I tell her that I know she is ready to try this and remind her of my promise to NEVER ask her to do something that I don't think she is ready for. She smiles and sets out to try. At first she resorts to the monkey on a dog position but after a few laps she is sitting the trot softly and enjoying herself. By the end of the lesson, she is doing figure 8s and poles at the trot. She is soooo pround of herself and I am estatic at her progress. She can't wait to go home and show her cousins how much she has learned. Hopefully by the time she has her next lesson, my insurance issues will be cleared up and we can use my bigger riding arena. I think she is ready.