The heatwave continues.

Anyone who lives in the UK will know that when the word 'summer' starts being used that we are going to get cold and wet weather! Well not this year for the past two weeks we have had really hot weather (well hot for here ranging from the mid 20's all the way unto 32degrees/89.6 Fahrenheit). Today was no change, when I first woke up this morning I as covered in sweat and I'd not even been under my covers all night.

I got to riding for 12:30 like normal and instantly realised that it was going to be a hot uncomfortable ride, we were riding at what should have been the hottest time of the day. Immediately we said that we wouldn't do a lot of fast work (no canter and small amounts of trot) as we are not used to the height and more importantly the horses are not used to the heat. I rode Gatsby like normal and JaimieLeigh rode Rascal. I started grooming him making sure not to miss anywhere but to stay cool as well. I finished grooming him earlier so I looked at some of the horses that Fiona had been looking at and had to look at them and guess which Fiona, Elaine and my mum would pick. I guessed right for most of them and was impressed that I managed it. My mum had picked a little grey that looked like an Arab and was incredibly cute looking. 

When we got on the atmosphere instantly felt humid I was hot just from sitting on him. We eventually got going making sure to warm them up and get them stretching. It was important that even though it was hot weather that the horses were listening. We first started working on Leg Yields and towards the end we did some work on shoulder in (for me this was without stirrups). It took me a while to get Gatsby in to an outline but once I got him in it it felt so nice, I think my problem was my shoulder and my elbows. My elbows were giving way to much so I mad a strong effort to keep my elbows were they are supposed to be. I eventually moved in to the trot which was going to be easier for Gatsby as it was going to keep the flies off him and that was the most important thing (along with not over heating). It felt great riding him but it was just to hot. My dad came up to watch me for the first time in a while and Jenny also came up to see how he was doing, it was so nice, I really like Jenny and find her a nice person to get on with. I realised that I find it so much easier to ride with out stirrups, other than the fact I couldn't get my leg in place today. It was a good lace and made me realise how much looser my hips need to be, when I worked hard to get them in the right place I got some really nice shoulder-in's but it was opening my hips and moving them that I was struggling with but I got there in the end and finished with no stirrups. 

I also have some exciting news for you but that deserves a post of its own. So... 

Until Next Time 

A Girl With A Dream