Day 13 Of The Confident Rider Challenge
Well, we are just at about 2 weeks into this challenge. Which means this is a great time to go back to the beginning, and revisit our original goals. How you are feeling with your confidence, and the work you have been doing so far will determine how you will proceed.
Reflecting On The Challenges
First we should look at everything we have done up to this point. So far, all of our work has been completed from the ground. And this is important. By starting from the ground, we are fostering a base, or foundation for which our riding will be built upon.
I am going to list out some of the priorities I set for myself.
Will My Horse:
- Stand quietly for grooming
- Stand quietly for mounting
- Stand for tacking up
- Walk, trot, and canter on the lunge line (no bucking)
- Respond to voice commands; walk, trot, canter, whoa
- Back up as far as I ask
- Walk quietly off property
- Respect my personal space
I know, that is a big list. But these are the things I have been working on with my horse. My goal was to be able to answer yes to each of those bullet points, before I consider getting in to the saddle.
Your Horse – Your Progress
Each of us will move through this challenge at our own pace. But before you can move forward, you need to be happy with your progress so far. And remember, this is NOT a race. In order to improve, you need to work through each challenge until you are successful, in your own mind. But in order for us to get better, we do need to challenge ourselves. We need to step out of what’s comfortable and push ourselves to get better. And yes, this means tackling the things that scare us.
It’s a personal journey But I am confident if you push yourself to do this, you will be happy with your results. My favorite thing is to be able to overcome something I was afraid of. And when I do it, I find out it wasn’t as scary as I was thinking it could be. Does that make sense?
Daily Challenge
Make a list of what you have been working on with your horse. And you need to be honest with yourself if you are seeing progress. By just saying yes, even if it isn’t true will only make the next part of this challenge harder, if not impossible to complete. So write out a list of what you have been working on, and are you happy with you and your horses progress so far. If you have been focusing on groundwork only, like I have, and you can answer yes to all of the groundwork questions, then you are ready to move forward. But if you are not at that point yet, that is OK. Remember, we all progress differently. In fact I would be willing to bet a few of you are already out there riding your horses!
So take some time and take inventory of where you are. Then, make a list of what you want to work on next. You don’t have to wait on me, do what is best for you and your horse! And I will see you tomorrow for another challenge!
