In the Saddle

For as long as I can remember, horses have always been a part of my life. As a child, I often fantasized about moon lit trail rides and daring adventures on my gallant steed. While I have yet to do either of those things, I have enjoyed the company of horses for the last few years as an equestrian. For the non-equestrian, the world of riding can seem daunting. Equestrians ride and care for large animals, ranging anywhere from 800-3,000 pounds. Why, one may ask, would anyone consider strapping one up and hopping on their backs? Well, I often ask myself that question, and come to a relatively sane answer. I loved them as a child and I still love them now, not because I am by any means an adrenaline junkie, but because they provide me with peace and serenity. Picture provided by Sophia There is nothing in the world to compare with riding, and nothing I would exchange it for.

The first time I climbed in the saddle, I was only four. It was then that my parents knew I loved them, and I continued to ride at state fair pony rides. When I was around eleven, I took a few lessons. My rides originally were sporadic and incomplete, as riding is one of the most expensive sports. To compensate, I studied up on horses often and spent library visits browsing through all the horse books I could find. I am glad I did, because now I have been able to put all that research to use. Especially at the Huntington Beach Equestrian Center, where I took my few lessons and began to volunteer for a horse rescue. There I got to learn the basics, and received valuable feedback for my strengths and weaknesses. In recent times, I have been riding at a more local equestrian center by the Anaheim Hills Golf Course after school.

There are many different disciplines of riding, Western and English being the most popular. However, I have grown more fond of English within the last couple of years. It is more refined than western, with a smaller saddle, and control that is based more on contact. Now that I have been riding at the Anaheim Hills Equestrian Center, I have received lessons from its manager, who says I have a good knack for riding. Originally, I had a horse I leased (much like leasing a car) and rode western on trail. The horse's name was Dallas, and he was a Mustang cross. I enjoyed riding him, and he taught me how to balance and control better. Much like a distracted cat, he would try to eat every plant within a two-foot radius on the trail. Sometimes, I rode with others, like his owners or instructors. Usually I would go three times a week, and occasionally I got lessons in Dressage (not on Dallas). Instead, the horse I rode was a large, black warm-blood with years of experience. The lessons were rigorous but fun, with constant opportunities to make mistakes and learn from them. I loved Dressage, mostly because it challenged me to be a better equestrian, and I am glad to have learned from the best.

I have a few favorite memories from riding, and in one of which I fell off. I was riding a horse named Chrome and a little dog ran by and scared him. He jumped like a frog to the side and I slid off, but Chrome stood waiting. His reaction was probably the cutest I have seen. While I was trying to get back on him, he leaned towards me, as if to say ‘I”m sorry, won’t happen again’. Looking back on it now, it reminds me why I love to ride so much. Winston Churchill once said, “No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.”. I believe I speak for all equestrians when I say I have never wasted my life on horses. They have taught me how to come back from falls, and how to work hard. Every time I went on trail, or in an arena, I felt at home. No matter how many times I may fall off, I will always get back on. I have yet to own a horse, but I have very high hopes. Who knows, I might have a moon lit trail ride soon, or a new daring adventure on a gallant steed.

Image of jumper provided by Google