Sarah Fisher
A: Sarah Fisher, 9 years old. I have been riding since I was four,
Challenges: Recently got a new pony who is young and has a lot more go than the last one.
I had a couple of falls and I got a little scared of my pony, even though my mum told me it was alright, I started riding stiff and my pony was picking up on this. I don't listen to my mum (like most kids), so...
My mum suggested taking me to Cheski, I hadn't had any lessons before so was a little scared and didn't know what to expect, thought I was going to get growled at!
At our first lesson Cheski quickly noticed that I wasn't happy with how things were going and showed me how to free lunge my pony so that she would work off some of her excess energy before I was aboard. She explained my pony's role as my "bodyguard" to look after me. Once my pony was calm and looked read,y she asked me to get back on, we did lots of little exercises which were more like games and before I knew it I was cantering around the arena on a loose rein (I can even do it without stirrups and reins now!!!).
As my confidence grew we gradually moved away from the arena (my safe place) and into the wide open spaces (I was very scared and would only go a little way, gradually Cheski encouraged me to do a little more/go a little further and faster.) She always asked me first how I was feeling and how I thought my pony was feeling at the start of and during each lesson. By lesson four, I was very happy in the open and ready to begin jumping!! My mum saw a huge improvement in me and I was feeling like "I can do it".
At the start of each session Cheski always asks me what I want to do, how things have been going and how I am feeling (sometimes I get a bit grumpy and she notices this and always finds a way to alter the lesson and before I know it I have a wide smile on my face!!). During our lessons Cheski takes time to explain (in language I can understand, not grumpy orders!) what she is looking for and breaks things down if they get complicated. I like the way she lets me try things and then re-do them if they aren't so good the first time "how can you do it better" she asks me?
I am now out and about competing and going to pony club, I am now more confident and have a much happier pony. Sometimes things go a little wrong (because my pony and I are still learning), but Cheski is always there to explain to me why things can go wrong and help me "get the tools in my toolbox", she says, so that next time will be better.
This season I want to compete in showhunter and get lots of clear rounds and have fun doing things with my pony!!!
Thanks Cheski for all your help, you're a fun teacher!
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