Pleasure Ride!!!

[fleabitten]

Went on the URRA (Ulster Rural Riders Association) Pleasure Ride yesterday. Boxed Princess up and picked up my cousin and her pony (Jack) and we set off. We were the first ones there! haha

Spoke to the BHS Off Road Riding officer and was telling her about the bridle tracks in my area and about the main road situation and she said if there were enough horse riders about you could put a case forward.

Then tacked up and got a map and set off, everything was very well marked out and easy to follow track. Princess was quite fresh and Jack just plodded along (he is just the best, never fazed by anything but also has his moments which my cousin quite likes! She wishes Jack was a bit more exciting like Princess and me, I wish Princess was more like Jack!!). Was quite nervous as i didnt know what she would do and it was quite windy.

Then chain was across path and park ranger dude had to come and take it off. So set off eventually and there was a gate with a tiny gap at the side to go round with a boulder (spooking at the damn boulders, Jack didnt even flick an ear or make any sign that he even noticed it was there) was scared i was gonna get my leg crushed so quickly lifted my leg out of the stirrup and i think that scared her and she rushed off and took a while to settle after that.

Then a twig moving on the ground made her spook and i was like ahhh and then she walked on. The tracks were really nice and some parts it was like crashing through the undergrowth. Scariest part was when other horses trotted past and she tried to take off after them (as usual Jack just watched them pass).

She felt really sharp for the first half at least, and then when we were climbing this steep hill that was practically vertical i relaxed and let myself enjoy it.

Overall i suppose it was a good day out. I dunno if im ever going to get confident on her - im not even cantering and jumping at home let alone out bombing round the shows which i would love to do but i couldnt - i was practically crapping myself yesterday and that was only walk and trot - a plod round a forest.

Should have brought camera because there was a beautiful part of the trail where there was a cliff face and a river and the grassy path where we were walking.

[zara]

Well done, sounds like you had a good time despite the nerves. I suffer terribly with my nerves and hacking terrifies me but a step at a time. Keep persevering and I'm sure you will get there, just set yourself small acheivable goals. I couldn't imagine taking AJ on a pleasure ride at the moment Zx

[maximum]

as zara says small steps will get you there.

I think waht you have done is amazing and theres no big rush to be go fast, you had a great time and she behaved at what was quite a big party for her to be at!!

[arumanii]

cool -u sound like u had fun even if she was a bit tense. It's gr8 that ur still heading out as many ppl would rather not hack out when they hav a more spooky horse. Jack sounds like a gr8 little hacker-wish I had one like him to plod out on every now n then when I'm just not wanting an exciting ride.

[racaille]

Hey Flea, don't do yourself down!! It was a great achievement and I'm full of admiration for the way you are tackling new challenges all the time. Sounds like Princess was sharp but not a pain, so well done to both of you!!

[brigadier]

Yup- you seem to have reason to be proud- onwards and upwards!
brig

[finefilly]

Dazzle used to be wired up for the half an hour of a ride then settled down. i probably didnt help, as i used to get tense as well (scared of him running off etc etc). My OH said that both of us didnt settle down at first until around 30 - 40 mins then we both seemed to relax. A woman i know emails me about bridleways groups. she is a member of one up here and sent me an email about bridleways all over the country and one about a petition to sign. i will find them and put on here. a lot of bridleways round here are inaccessible and it is a pain

[flash7]

Fleabitten please stop putting your self down. I think you are doing amazing and from the comments on this forum it appears I'm not the only one!!! I know you said she is for sale but what I love about you is the fact that you have not given up. You are still doing stuff on Princess even though you say you do not feel 100% on her. All credit to you for perservering x

[kitcat]

Just a thought Fleabitten, if your cousin wants a horse more like Princess and you prefer a confidence giver like Jack, would you consider swapping for a short while until you feel more confident? Sorry if this is a stupid idea.

[raymond]

Hi fleabitten - sounds as though you are making great progress - so be proud of yourself. It is scary enough hacking out when you are not on a pleasure ride with lots going on. I think you did really well

[fleabitten]

Kitcat - thats a good idea but Jack is only 13.2hh and Princess would be too big and strong for her. Thanks anyway!

[ronansmum]

Sounds fabby and you did brilliantly fleabitten.

Pleasure rides are fun but can be a real challenge if your horse is spooky obviously. I admire you and think you should be very proud of yourself. Are you going to do more? It is affiliated to endurance riding isn't it? A sort of precursor? Gives you a flavour?

I did a pleasure ride with my wee mare Pebbles, at the Rest and be Thankful in Argyll years ago, I must say she loved it but her feet didn't, they broke up quite badly....so we only did the one. But it was great fun and has given me an idea for Ronan... ;D ;D I bet he'd like it. ;D