GalaBrook

Gala. 29. Feminist. Equestrian. Follow my fitness blog: galaliketheapple

[galabrook]

Had an amazing lesson on sweet Nyke yesterday. We jumped a full course with no cross rails, at least a couple of the fences were 2’, an oxer, a roll top and a coop. My last few lessons have been so confidence building for me. It feels so good to be making progress and feeling brave jumping around on big (to me at least) courses. I can’t wait to ride again. I’m so glad I found this barn and trainer. This is no slight to my old barn because I loved it there but this place just makes me feel so much more a part of things.

[galabrook]

In last Saturday’s lesson I rode this cute mare named Nike. She’s the most forward of all the horses I’ve ridden at this new barn. And that’s saying something because 2 of the other 3 were fairly forward as well but she’s super sensitive to your leg. We spent some time at the beginning of our lesson working on getting my half halts effective because she kept wanting to pick up the canter right away and every time I’d get her to take a few trot steps she’d pick up the canter again. It was mostly a me problem. My confidence issues sometimes result in me not sitting up enough and my half halts becoming a game of tug o war. She was never trying to bolt she’s actually a very lovely horse my animal brain just sometimes thinks “Oh no quick=danger” but after some time working at it I was sitting up and half halting like a normal person and she was coming back to me much better. Then we did a few crossrail courses and wow jumping hasn’t felt that fun or confident in a long time. One of the courses was like 5 total jumps and had a 3 or 4 stride line to kind of tight roll back and I had we did it a few times and the time we ended on I actually asked her for the forward 3 and actually sat up after and had a pretty turn and honestly the whole course felt great and for once I ended my lesson not just glad I made I through but wanting to do it again. I’m so excited to ride again this weekend. It’s supposed to be really nice weather too.

[idreaminbayandgrey]

[galabrook]

All I can say about you is WOW! You look amazing :))

Thanks!

[myblackmare]

Put ur tongue away!!

[galabrook]

Rode a new horse today. This sweet 17 hand ottb Tommy. My boyfriend had his first lesson and had a good time. I’m hoping he’ll want to take them on a semi regular basis.

[foxy-filly]

Now that the temperature has finally gotten up into the 70s, it was time for all of the horses to get much-needed baths! My trainer’s personal horse, Rose, particularly loves to be scrubbed. It’s shedding season after all, she’s itchy! 😂

[galabrook]

Some shots from yesterday’s lesson. My position doesn’t look as atrocious as I thought it would. I’m really working on not throwing my body over jumps.

[galabrook]

Had another lesson on beau last night! Confidence is slowly coming back. We even cantered a few small fences. I rode ponies so often at my last barn that when I got to ride horses I’d sometimes get nervous because the stride felt so big in comparison and I felt less in control so riding this big guy is helping me learn to deal with a big horse and a big stride to the jumps.

I have another lesson tomorrow and I’m hoping my bf will be there to film a bit for me.

[knocked-rail]

ilysm❣️

[galabrook]

Lesson today then another on Saturday and hoping to get out to at least one day of Red Hills this weekend.

[grumpy-mare]

my beautiful girl :’)

[galabrook]

Look at this handsome boy I got to ride yesterday. His name is Beau and he was a sweetheart. A lot more forward than Red the babysitter I rode in my last lesson and he had a huge stride that took me a bit to get use to but I really like him. My new trainer is so awesome too. Very sweet and keeps telling me I’m doing well and that “you haven’t lost your feel” even though it’s been nearly 2 years since I left my last barn. We’re taking things slow because I want to keep my confidence intact but we’ve trotted a few little courses so far and it’s starting to come back. The hardest part of the lesson was sitting his huge trot to ask for canter but once he picks it up it’s very smooth. My boyfriend is actually interested in taking a couple lessons so hopefully I can get him to video some for me in the future!

[lockedtolocker]

[mariaerichphotography]

[smarty-jones]

Zenyatta 

(x)

[foulserpent]

*evil rancher approaching the plucky 11-14 year old protagonist to offer to buy her pet semi feral wild stallion, who is stubborn but she gradually befriended with her persistence and kind heart and wouldnt sell for all the money in the world, in order to use him in cruel horse races for personal gain voice* mighty fine lookin hawse youve got there