Thinking About the “Firsts” in Our Riding

By, Lori Kelly

During a recent conversation with a friend, she told me about her adult daughter successfully navigating an organized canter depart (as opposed to just running into the canter) for the first time. She remarked about how proud she was, but then continued by saying that the downward transition was a bit of a hot mess, disorganized, and that her daughter bounced around etc. I remarked, “So what? She tried and she did it!”

I was reflecting on this interaction while driving out to my barn. I started thinking about all the “firsts” in my own riding. I have been riding for 45 years, and the things I now take for granted – posting, sitting the trot without bouncing, picking up the correct canter lead (all of the time), etc. – were all once firsts for everyone.

I remember very clearly learning to post all those year ago. It was at a summer riding camp. I had never really ridden before and definitely not English, but oh, how I wanted to learn to jump! The other girls in the camp had all been taking lessons for some time. They were all competent at walk, trot, canter, and jumping small cross rails. I was very clearly the beginner in the group. When it was time to head to ring for the group lesson, the instructor was somewhat concerned as to what to do with me. How would I fit in, not get in the way, and most importantly not get hurt mixed in with a group of more experienced riders? Clear as a bell, I remember Ed Bimberg from The Equestrian Center in Freehold NJ saying, “I’ll just put her on the lunge line and teach her to post real quick.” Who learns to post “real quick”? Well, I must have! I don’t remember much about the lunge lesson except for Mr. Bimberg saying, “Up, down, up, down, up, down”. I do vividly remember being sent back to the group after about 10 minutes on the lunge and trotting around the ring with the rest of the girls. In my memory I was trotting around in perfect rhythm and balance, but I’m sure I had to be bouncing along to my own beat weaving on and off the rail. Regardless of how perfect that first solo trot was (or not), I was hooked and I wanted more.

As riders, as in life, we encounter so many firsts. But those firsts are the basis for the skills we all have today. They are the foundation on which we perfect our craft. When I hit a plateau or feel like I’m struggling with something, I like to reflect on my firsts to remember how something so second nature to me now was once a real struggle. It helps to remind me that this too shall pass, this new concept or feeling will eventually also become second nature. It’s usually never great the first time (most likely not even good) and that’s okay. It’s all part of the process.

If you think about it, no one starts off as a Grand Prix rider, yet we seem to forget this when we watch a near perfect freestyle. We all start just trying to keep our balance. For some it comes easier than others; some may have started earlier than others, but everyone STARTS! Every time we try something new, such as a leg yield, a counter canter, or a half pass, it has to start somewhere, there has to be a first time. Take a moment when these firsts happen to memorialize them in your mind. Tuck them away for a time when you need a quick pick me up or reality check. We’ve chosen a very demanding sport, and our partner can’t even speak to us with words. Perhaps we all share a common “first” in first learning how to talk to our partner.

Regardless of your level and abilities now, the fact remains that you are better today than you were when you first started riding, most likely infinitely better. Cherish and appreciate this accomplishment as well as all of the other milestones that have occurred since you first swung your leg over. And don’t forget, “You’ve come a long way baby!”