Old Is New Again

My rear end has not touched an English saddle in the vicinity of 13 years.  Instead I've done everything Western from competitive team roping, barrel racing, working cow horse, riding and finishing colts, reining, ranch cutting and just plain riding.  I've learned to ride with virtually no hand contact, using my seat and legs to communicate with the horse.  

Yesterday was my riding assessment.  My English riding assessment.  Let me say it was somewhat challenging for me.  I swear there were times the instructor was talking in tongues.  I was pretty sure I knew what she wanted me to do but my brain just couldn't compute it.  Not only did my poor out of shape body protest some of the movements being asked of it but my hands developed a life of their own.  It was strange to have to keep what felt like a constant pull on the reins.  And don't get me started on the whole standing in the stirrups leaned over the horses neck.  Or trotting with my pelvis tilted forward.  What a workout!

But I'm excited.  I'm excited to challenge myself, to improve my horsemanship, balance and feel.  I'm excited to enter this old but new and foreign world.