Greed, And not the Christmas Kind

12/6/2012

Seriously, when did I get so greedy? I had to give myself a mental tsk, tsk after riding on Wednesday evening. I was finishing up my ride on Sydney and gave a deep sigh. When is he going to be soft in his neck and shoulders and not so braced?

All of a sudden I realized how greedy I was being. Just two months ago I was wishing that we could canter regularly without bolting and rearing, and now we are, everyday! On Wednesday night, I walked a lap, did some loose rein serpentines, cantered both directions with zero fussiness, and hopped off. Ride done.

I should be celebrating, not whining! Yes, Sydney stills gets tense and anxious, and yes, there are evenings when he's not relaxed enough to canter, but they are happening less and less often.

On the drive home, I started to smile as I gave myself some serious credit for the improvement in my riding. I can't wait to see where we are this summer!

martina peterson

12/6/2012 01:17:48 am

hi Karen, you are so funny! isn't it so like us never to be satisifed? But maybe that's good because that's what motivates us to keeep challenging ourselves to move forward. Even in your classroom I'm sure you are always asking your students to keep moving forward just as you ask your horses to do and yourself also. Keep doing that because it's paying off for you. Look back sveral years and look where you are today, way ahead of the game.

Karen

12/6/2012 10:25:00 am

I know, Mom, but it's painful to look back! I must have really, really sucked. I feel great confidence when it comes to my horsemanship skills (ground work and so on), but I never feel super confident about my new dressage skills. I am working on it!

Kelly link

12/6/2012 01:46:33 am

Type A personality, right?! In the moment, it is hard to step back and look at your progress. At least you realized it on the drive home.

Karen

12/6/2012 10:28:11 am

I did, didn't I? And it only took a few minutes and not weeks to give myself some credit. Woo-hoo, self-depracators unite!

Sarah link

12/6/2012 06:30:46 am

Breakthrough. And I'm sure your pony appreciates it.

Karen

12/6/2012 10:28:43 am

I would like to think so, but who knows?! :0)

Val

12/7/2012 08:52:58 am

It is human nature. Thankfully, reflection is the cure!

Karen

12/9/2012 09:39:24 pm

Especially for a perfectionist! :0)

Comments are closed.

About the Writer and Rider

I am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
Welcome to my dressage journey.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

Email Karen

About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

About Izzy

Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.