I did it I did it I did it! *pics*

[JuniorxMyxLove]

0.0 I'm sure you guys have all heard of my..erm...issues with Leo before. I hated riding him...we didn't get along...he refused all the jumps so I lost confidence and didn't enjoy riding...just search my threads, bahaha.

On Friday, 80% of the barn was at a show...Brooke included. SO...I had to ride Leo. I *kind* of knew it was coming, so it wasn't such a surprise, but I was still kinda scared. I've ridden Brooke pretty much since last summer. BUT...I tried to stay positive while tacking up and while mounting up. BOY was it weird to see over my pony's back while grooming! And to be able to mount normally, instead of having to leeaaap onto their back.

While we were trotting, I really focused on getting him bending through the corners (and straight on the long side) which was...interesting. He takes much more leg than Brooke, and if I took my leg off for too long we'd start drifting into the middle of the arena bahaha. I also forgot just how much I looooove his canter - it's SO much easier to sit than Brookes!

Jumping was the area where we really had our difficulties. I used to lean at jumps and take my leg off, and Leo would duck out like a nasty little snot. Trotting up to the first fence, my heart really was kind of in my throat. but...all that time spent on Brooke has paid off because we had ONE refusal all lesson. And that was because I felt him backing off and reacted too late. It was amazing - he jumped! He JUMPED!!! I think I praised him about 1000000x that lesson, bahahaha.

Unfortunately my mom didn't record any of this miracle lesson...but here are pictures and stuff from previous rides.













Aaaand...basically how EVERY lesson was with him. Refusal after refusal after refusal, sometimes with a jump thrown in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COpZelZ214M

I am SO happy right now - this horse has been the one thing holding me back for so long...I always thought, "No, I can't ride Leo," or, "if I ride Leo, it'll be a horrible lesson." The third time I rode with my trainer, I broke down into TEARS because she had me scheduled to ride this horse (nice bonding experience, eh?). I finally did it! I had a GOOD lesson on Leo! We CAN get over the jumps, and I CAN ride this crazy appaloosa. ^-^

[Karen]

Congratulations, it must be a huge relief! He is such a cutie, even if he's a hard case at times.

[Freedom]

WOO HOO, hey guess what? YOU DID IT!!!!!

[JuniorxMyxLove]

thanks guys

I'm just hoping now that my trainer doesn't put me on him tomorrow, bahaha.

[Asiel]

I love an appy that colour, they look so sharp. He looks like a neat ride (when he wants to) ; ) Congratulations on the progress.

[chocolatepuppy]

Good job, you and Leo! He's a gorgeous horse!

[dab_20]

Awesome! Congrats He may be a bit of a hard horse to work with... but he sure is a beauty!

[JuniorxMyxLove]

WELL...I rode Leo yesterday.

It was so much fun! He had lots of spunk and so decided it would be fun to be a little bucking speed demon...but I stuck through it and we jumped a 6 jump course in one try!! ^-^ e had three refusals...but after those, all of which were my fault cause I forgot to react bahaha, he was an angel.

Here are some pictures I took after my lesson:












he is a lot of fun to ride...once you figure out how to! And, since he's the only appaloosa at the barn (and one of like, 5 horses that aren't some shade of brown), I feel special on him cause we stick out hahaha

[Kalei]

Aw, that is great! You sound so happy! I'm glad you got to have a good lesson on Leo