What is Your Favorite Discipline?

You should practice more. I'm sure you weren't that bad! And maybe the horse you were riding just wasn't a great match with you. I agree on trail riding, though. It's a lot of fun and calm and peaceful out in the woods or even on an open trail.

I practiced for 10+ years! I have no sense of timing, so I almost never made it into a jump correctly - nearly always left behind! I also have a defect in my ankles so I can't have my toes straight forward with my heels down, they always turn out. Its the same reason I really can't ride a western saddle and use the stirrups, it wrenchs my knees. I also rode a LOT of different horses, and on the flat I did pretty good, just my conformation because of the ankles wasn't good enough for showing. That was okay - I didn't like to show anyway.

It really is just about having fun. :) I'm sorry that you have that ankle problem, I'm sure THAT isn't fun, but at least it didn't stop you from riding all together!

It sounds like what you do is all a bunch of fun. :) I really suggest trying jumping whenever you can; it's easy to start low and work you way up, and flying the air is breathtaking. I love showing in jumpers, too; it's a lot of fun to compete on the course. But over-all, jumping is really about fun to me.

I am do hunter/jumper myself. I just started half-leasing a wonderful big, 16.2hh, bay TB gelding named Tea [Clipse.] I adore him! But back to what you were saying. [:D] It is my dream to own a hunter/jumper facility when I grow up. I plan to do training, boarding, breeding, and showing. I have a lot of plans! The woods are definitely great when riding. I love exploring the trail, making new ones, and just riding in the peace and experiencing the world beyong the hustle, bustle, and pollution.

Lol I never get sore anymore, but if you only ride say once a week or just occasionally and for a long time, you will get sore. Riding horses (bareback especially) is actually an excellent way to work your thighs, and trust me: you'll feel it! I did four hours bareback at the walk, trot, and canter; boy was I sore after! What you really have to learn with riding is to hold on with your legs. You can't be digging in so much as to confuse your horse into going faster, but as long as your legs are firmly placed against the horse's sides and you keep practicing, your balance will improve and you won't be doing it incorrectly. A big concept with riding is to have a good connection with your horse. You want to feel the bit, but not be holding on so much with your reins. For instance, when you are turning, you do not simply let your legs flap around loosely and pull one rein tightly to guide your horse; you have the pull lightly with your inside rein, hold your outside rein firmly, push your horse out and around the turn with your inside leg, and keep the horse from going to far out by pushing slightly with your outside leg. You must do this all while looking up and around to where you are going, helping keep both of you balanced and letting your horse know where to go. Riding properly is not necessarily easy, and balance is a key that you cannot settle by using your hands to grip something, such as a western pommel.

Sounds like a lot of fun! I don't know much about barrel racing or pole bending, but they do seem fantastic. They also prove to be a lot of work though, I presume. Teaching your horse tight turns and proper bending while going that fast isn't very easy! Your new colt sounds amazing; good luck in his training!

Yes, showing is lots of fun. I love it! :D And of course as I have already said quite a few times, I love trail riding, too. Hlater handling is great, also. And the idea of chasing a few cows every now and then? Delightful. :D