Etiquette

First off, Pretty and I went for a jaunt in the woods today. Made it 5 minutes in and took my first fall off of her. It honestly couldn't even be considered a fall, more a series of unfortunate events. She side stepped on the trot to turn around, I (being asleep at 7am) slid to the side, she stepped more, landed on my feet, she pulled back, I stubbed my toe on a rock, dropped the reins, and off she went. I knew she'd go straight back to the barn so I pulled out my phone and started to walk. I don't usually panic... Okay, I don't think I ever panic. P finally picked up, panicked, and ran to our side of the barn only to find the Rollie Pollie arab munching on grass with her friends B and LuLu. I showed up, checked her up and down, pulled down the stirrups and received the response, "You're getting back on?" This coming from an eventer... I said yes and headed to the mounted block and went back out to enjoy a nice 30-min trail ride, at the walk. As always, better second time around.

K was at the barn when I got back and I told her the story of my little adventure and grabbed B to ride. A guy painting the house came and asked to feed him an apple and by the look in B's eye I couldn't say no. There were construction workers at the house next door knocking down an old barn but that wasn't going to stop my ride. I tacked up and walked B to the indoor, his ears almost touching. What's the worst he's going to do? Run? We've got that down AND I have the indoor. Unfortunately, a boarder and visiting rider were lunging a horse but I waited until they were done and started stirrup driving B to make sure he was at least a little sane, which he was. In the background I heard the visiting rider, "It's okay, I don't know what she's doing either." What-EVER! Everyone knows the story of Brantley there and they know he's fresh back from minimal training. I can get on, that was the deal. Steering and such? Need to know basis. Things need to be on his time, not mine.

Anywho! Got on and started working on circles at the walk and then turning into the fence to get his front end and hind end moving. He did really well and I definitely kept in mind the other rider. Wish I could say she did the same for me. I think she cut my off at least 2-3x. One of them while waving her dressage whip around. I nudged it off because Brantley was being so good that while they were standing and talking I got my loping in, did a simple change (gave me a flying lead change yesterday) and then when they started working again came back to my circles. I didn't mind splitting the ring but ended up squished in the back corner as they made their side bigger and bigger. There was no communication in what they were doing and although I respect her as a rider, ring etiquette. I get it, you were there first, but your horse can be ridden outside in the fenceless fancy dressage ring, mine can't. So just give me a break. It's frustrating because everyone wants me to ride and enjoy my horse, but no one is willing to give us time and space. Guess I should've left the trail ride for last and ridden B first at 7am when I know everyone is asleep. I'm glad I got to ride with another horse, while a building was being knocked down, and I didn't get hurt, and Pretty didn't get hit by a garbage truck. I'm very thankful for that. But I wouldn't mind a little bit of a break in the riding ring while my horse is still in the making.

It's better to do things right the first time, then rush for everyone else and regret it.

Chevy and I visiting Grandma before work.