Comfort Zone- Yer Not In It

Ahhh, the joys of having a trainer. On the one hand, my horse and I have made amazing progress over the last 10 months. Progress that would likely be years in the making, or even just a pipe dream if we didn't have her.

On the down side, in order to make said progress, sometimes, said wonderful trainer pushes the envelope a little, knowing full well what horse, and rider, are capable of doing.

Last night's lesson was one of those times.

Damn.

Everything started out great. Both of us marveling at Ben's new found smooth-ness. Little trot here and there - extend, collect, medium, leg yields, canters, 10 m trot circles- routine.

And then she decided to try to kill me via 15 m  canter circles.

Okay, maybe she didn't want me to die....but I am pretty sure I will die. Apparently I have a great fear of riding a small canter circle. Ben is big...and the distance from me to the ground is significant. And let's be honest, he isn't exactly all that....graceful. All I can picture is his feet coming out from under him and down we go.

But push she did. I whined, I squealed, I cringed.  And in the end, I rode the damn 15 m canter circles, and I am here to tell you about it.

Turns out my horse can do this. Trainer says, at the end "You know, I wouldnt ask you to do these things if I knew he wasn't ready. In fact, when I ride him go smaller."

Shut it, just shut it. LOL

Nah, I do appreciate the prodding. Without her, I'd just want to toddle around all day. Instead, I'm actually getting somewhere. And I must say, I'm pretty damn proud of ME for gettin 'er done.

Take that, you 15 m canter circle bastards.