Why Horseback Riding is a sport

A lot of people think that horseback riding is not a sport. They think all you do is sit in the saddle, but no! I totally disagree! I love to ride horses and it is definitely a sport. Try squatting for an entire hour. Pretty hard right? Sometimes we have to do that. Or sometimes we just sit there and bounce. It sounds very easy but when you are just starting to ride it can be tricky. If you don’t believe me try it yourself!

  Also sometimes we have to post. Posting is when you use your heels to push yourself up and down. Or even harder is posting without stirrups. Stirrups are the part of the saddle that you put your feet in. When posting without stirrups you need to raise your body with your thighs , but you can’t squeeze.

Here is some very important proof horseback is in the Olympics!! In the Olympics there are three categories Show Jumping, Dressage, and Cross Country. Show Jumping is when you mainly focus on jumping. In show jumping the ring is usually outside.Also you have to wear a protective vest in show jumping . Dressage  is another word for training.Dressage is a very fancy show type where you walk,trot,canter.  In dressage you have to wear a fancy coat and top hat. Cross Country is where you and your horse race for the best time. On the courses they have jumps and sometimes open fields. In cross country  you have to wear a protective vest. In all classes you have to  wear tall boots and a helmet.

~Lauren

CanterWood Crest

Canterwood crest is one of the best series for horse lovers ever

My First Lesson at KEC

On Tuesday I had my first lesson at KEC! It was so much fun!! My instructor Lucy made me work pretty hard , but she was still super kind and nice. I rode a horse named Star. His show name is Legally Blonde! He is a palomino paint horse who is very sweet. First we just walked around the outdoor arena twice then we did some working trot. Next  I did something I had never done before, jumping position in the trot. She said ” Before we canter you need to learn how to steer better” Then we did posting without stirrups, which is incredibly hard and annoying! That was like my favorite lesson!

~Lauren

Switching Barns

I love horseback ! It’s just so much fun, but my instructor is moving so I either have to find a new barn or TBF has to find a new instructor. So now lets hear some good news they found one!  The thing is though … my mom thinks that she is too young and she has never taught before , so my mom thinks she is unsafe. I for one sort of agree with her, but I am still depressed. So this week I’m trying out KEC. Which is very exciting! I’m riding Star, a palomino paint horse. This is only a sample lesson so it isn’t permanent decision. My instructors name is Lucy. Although she dosen’t own the barn she still seems very nice.

-Lauren

Spooking

Spooking on horses can be very scary! Like one time I was riding a horse named  Noble. and the horses hadn't been out of there stalls for two days , so he started to canter . That was only one. Another time my friend Eden and her friend Hannah were  playing in the snow banks so that spooked  Perfidia she started to canter. The  last time I was riding Noble and we were too close to Boomer so Noble kicked Boomer. Then Boomer kicked back and Noble took off cantering and mini bucking.

Why I want a Horse

I want a horse because I think That I can handle the responsibilities of taking care of one.Also I have been riding for almost one year. My parents don’t think that I can handle one and that can be extremely expensive. I really want one but I would probably have to give up some vacations and new clothes and stuff like that. I just hope that someday I will buy one.

Horseback

My favorite sport is horseback riding. A lot of people think that it is not a sport, but it really is it’s very tiring using your entire body just to post .Posting is when you sit then rise and  sit then rise over and over again. My favorite horse to ride is Boomer,because he is my type and speed. I have been riding for almost a year. Right now I’m learning how to canter. I ride at TBF. My instructors name is Sue. Usually  every lesson we do trot work in the beginning and we canter the last few minutes.

Horseback requires  some  expensive materials  such as

• a helmet
• riding boots
• breeches ( riding pants)
• gloves (optional)
• a riding shirt

 You can get all of this supplies at Dover Saddlery for mostly reasonable prices.

Most of my best friends ride too! Like Alyssa and Laila. Experience wise Alyssa has been riding the longest, and Laila has been riding the shortest so I’m stuck in the middle.

 -Lauren

Fidelity Jump Classic Horse Show

Sunday my friends and I went to the Fidelity Jumper Classic Horse Show. It was so cool.

We got in for free because we helped park cars with our 4-H group.

We also got free t-shirts that say staff on the back and the picture of last years winning horse.

The horses jumped up to 5 feet high ! I loved to watch them jump.It inspired me . Thats what I would love to do when I am older.

That show was amazing! I’m so going next year too.

_ Lauren