30.08.2020 first lesson on Maloo yesterday. Prior to the lesson I had some reservations, firstly considering the cost ($90 for 45 mins) and what I would be able to achieve on my very green horse. I haven’t had a lesson in over a year, since I was doing some jumping on Odie last June. I’m definitely pro-lessons, but where I live at the moment it’s pretty hard to find anyone decent. Anyway, it was worth every penny, and I wish I had paid for another one for the weekend. But I have a lot to work on with contact and hopefully by the time the instructor comes back to town i will have achieved it. The top pic is an awesome example of full giraffe mode as a result of me trying to get some contact after spending most of the time training him with no contact because I’ve been scared of making his mouth hard, so naturally he reacts like this very displeased to be asked to take contact! The second picture is one of very few moments during the lesson where he actually gave into the contact, he looks bloody cute. Anyway it was hilarious because about 25 seconds after she commented on what a quiet horse he was he went off like a rocket bucking and pigrooting, but I stuck. It was lovely hearing some positive comments on my riding too, I’m so hard on myself because I’ve never put a whole lot of effort consistently into my riding. But she said I had good feel, and that we should be good at eventing - just have to get that foundation down pat. She was the sort of person I really feel like impressing so I’m going to work hard over the next few weeks to make something progress!
