Awareness of the outside world. When I talk about other people or other people’s horses, I like to keep the intro positive. I was searching for perky Alabama news and found this. The search results page of the Good New Network says, “If you’re not happy with the results, please do another search.” What an inviting sentiment. That’s how to walk the walk.
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Last week, I was offered two lesson slots. One was solo. One was part of a group. It was a situation where there was no right answer – or both answers were equally correct- but I still fussed over trying to decide which was optimal.
Close enough in time that weather was about the same.
Solo Lesson, 7 am
More fun.
More expensive.
Undivided attention. Individually tailored instruction.
Feed plan. Get up. Serve first hay. Leave. Lesson. Scamper home. Resume with breakfast & second hay. Not that much later than when we get a late start on the morning walk.
The meal spread is so that Milton does not inhale everything at once. For Rodney, we would simply served everything and go.
Group Lesson, 8 am
Less expensive.
Divided attention. Not a problem. Coach Deana is an accomplished instructor who can juggle differing agendas in the same class.
Divided attention. Ditto. At this level, I am self-starting enough that I do fine with the instructor checking as I waft by. At least, on the flat. Jumps are done individually in either case.
Rest breaks while others jump.
Other riders. My ground crew thinks a group lesson takes some of the pressure off.
Other riders. In this case, four littles. I rode with two littles in an earlier lesson. That was fine. Here, I was concerned about staying out of the way of four riders. Clearly, I was gonna be the one with steering capability.
Ground crew thinks I show off for the kids. Not consciously, but it’s possible. I’ve always done better with admiration than confrontation. [Milton’s Missing Lesson, tough love]
I think Goldy (slightly) prefers other horses in the ring.
Feed plan. Get up. Serve first hay. Wait. Breakfast & second hay. Leave. Turnout when we get back.
Questions
Which would you choose?
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Which did I choose?
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I went with the later lesson. Figured it was better for the home team.
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And then …
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I ended up with a solo at 9 am. Hey! If we are feeding before the lesson, why not see if Coach Deana is free after the munchkin patrol?
Verdict. Even 9 am was starting to get hot. From now on, as earlier as possible, at least for the rest of the summer.
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 