First times.

Teaching in the gorgeous October sunshine this morning brought home how passionate I am about dressage. I came to this sport via the long route, from show jumping and eventing but I have to say it has been the most emotional, challenging and hardest discipline to conquer. I may not be the best of the best in the saddle, I may not have the most talented horses but I believe my passion and knowledge that I have gained along the way make up for that and if I can pass this on and make someone elses journey that bit easier I am very happy to do so. Two scales of training were broached this morning, suppleness and straightness, the two seem to go together. If the horse is bringing his quaters in and giving too much bend to the same side it is because he does not want to load the outside hind. As such we have to ride a little in renver to stretch the opposing muscles and straighten him. Horses find this difficult if they have been crooked for a while so short and sweet and many breaks help. The rider then has to learn to coordinate the aids without confusing the horse and getting frustrated. This is difficult if the horse gets fractious and throws his toys out of the pram but the rider must be brave and firm and not lose faith and keep asking until he responds, then reward. Of course if both rider and horse lose the plot all is lost! Lots of praise for both horse and rider and attention to being black and white so that the horse is never in any doubt of what is required. In fact, just like any relationship, each must know where they stand.

Last week I met up with an old school friend from our time in Germany. It must be 35 years since we saw each other. I entered the pub and recognised her immediately as she did me! We sat down and resumed conversation as if it was yesterday! The years wound back and I was a school girl again in year 4 slightly podgy, with the world at my feet and waiting for exciting things to happen. Two and a half hours later we were still talking, reminiscing and making plans to catch up with the rest of the gang in Germany next May. Since Carolann has returned to my life things have become more clear and more positive. The strangest thing is that she has been living ten miles up the road for the last 20 years! We must have passed each other numerous times! Its thanks to the Kent School website that we found each other again and linked up on facebook where we have found many others from that time. Listening to how somebody elses life has evolved is like reading a good novel. She was unsurprised that I was still involved with horses and I am unsurprised that she is an independent woman doing a highly emotional job. Its a shame we don't have time machines, I would love to return to my old school for one day in that time if only to tell everyone how lucky we were. Standing on the old playing fields smoking with the crowd while John Graves read to us from a letter he had received. I remember seeing the duty teacher walking the perimeter and getting closer so we all dogged our ciggies out and kept trying to tell John to do the same. He was so engrossed in his letter that Mr English arrived and stood amongst us staring straight at John. Eventually John looked up, the two eyeballed each other while John dropped his fag and smiled disarmingly. Nothing said, Mr English walked away and we all sighed with relief. And yes I was a little in love with John but after a couple of dates he was stolen away by another girl and I was heart broken (for about 2 weeks)! Who can forget the excitement of falling in love and being asked to the dance? Waiting for that first kiss....delicious!

First times are always the ones that stay in the memory and are as clear as if it was yesterday. The first day at school, the first kiss, the first time you drove a car, the first horse you rode, the first flying change the first piaffe steps. Please God let me have more firsts!