The Tough Lessons.

Maybe you know the ones that I mean. The rides that leave you frustrated. The ones that almost (or do) leave you in tears. The ones that leave you questioning your skills as a rider. Where you ask yourself, “Should I even be doing this at all?”

Yeah, those lessons.

I had one like that the other day. I couldn’t get my circle to the right correct at a walk. Sounds so simple to do, right? Sometimes the easiest of tasks can go so horribly wrong - and that day it was a full on ugly circle disaster.

Yet.

Those hard lessons - the ones that we really wouldn’t want to repeat again (more like EVER) are the ones that we sometimes need the most.

Why? Because they teach us a little something about ourselves.

For me, I saw how I was getting ridiculously upset over such a small thing. That small thing became a bit of a hang up. That hang up almost became an emotional shut down. I felt bad - condemning myself as an equestrian.

I saw it. My coach saw it. The horse saw it.

And we worked through it. Together. A team. Me, the horse, and my coach. I could have let that moment ruin the rest of the lesson, but I chose to leave it at the door, and change the self talk that was running through my mind as I picked up the trot (and then made much nicer circles.)

These are the rides that teach us so much more than just correcting a movement, aid or exercise. They build character. They keep us humble. They show us areas in our lives where healing is needed.

Are these rides frustrating? Yes.

Are these rides a waste of time? Never.

By the end of this ride, I was smiling. I knew I had accomplished mush more than a beautiful finish to a mini jump course. I had grown a little in my character.

So next time, there won’t be so much upset over straight sided circles...the equestrian version of crying over spilled milk.

And while I’m increasing my talent, I’m more than qualified to enjoy the essence of riding - which is to have fun.

Don’t leave out the fun.

xo, Alyssa