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Thursday, June 15, 2006

Back in the Saddle

I could have used that lyric in yesterday's post. When I was a sickly teenager, I used to have my Aerosmith Greatest Hits cassette cued up to that song and hit the play button when I woke up. If I ever meet them, I'm going to tell them that they got me out of bed every day for a year or so.

Yep, I went to meet my new riding instructor last night. You see, I made a decision over the last week. It's time to make this whole thing legal.

A few years ago I had three riding students, despite my lack of paperwork stating that I'd be qualified to teach. The good old government --or as we sometimes refer to it in this country, La Goovairnmaunt--has decided to get involved with riding establishments. It is actually a good thing in the long run. There have been people running some pretty shady horse operations. But I just bristle at any kind of governmental nose-sticking-in.

anyways....I really liked teaching and I want to keep doing it, but I don't want to get in trouble for it. I want everything to be above board and legit. So, I'm going to take the tests for my Rider Levels and then go for my Instructor's Certificate. Hopefully I'll be able to get my Levels over the summer.

My coach is so great. She's tiny- she's shorter than me! I get dizzy around people who are shorter than me, just because it happens so rarely!!!! But when I'm on her horse it doesn't bother me.
Maybe between my riding instructor and my pilates instructor we can get that slouch out of my back.

My back is killing me today but that's not because of riding. It hurts a lot lately. I went to my first Pilates class and could barely move. I'm the youngest person in the class and the most immobile. I get carded when I want to buy a drink...but I took twice as long to get up off the exercise mat as the rest of the class! Whatevs. No point comparing. I couldn't keep up with the class but it'll slowly get better. Next week maybe I'll only feel like I'm 85 instead of 90.

I can't wait to see my horses again. I picked out a new-old saddle for our little mare today. All I have to do is pay down my credit card a little bit and then, we're going riding!!!!And I'll get some new summer photos too.

8 comments:

Distant Timbers Echo said...

I for one, am very very happy for you up there in Canada! I'd love to hear your voice, hear what you sound like, your accent and all that! I'll bet it's simply gorgeous!

Heidi the Hick said...

Oh yeah, my accent eh? What's zat, eh?

We Canadians in general tend to think that we don't have an accent. Except on the east coast, and of course, Quebec...and Jethro tells me I have a Mennonite accent...

Funny that you want to hear my gorgeous voice because I'm singing a song with my kids for their music recital. At first I thought I'd embarrass them but nobody else would learn it, and they really wanted to do it. Heck. Why not. I wonder if Stevie Nicks ever hated the sound of her own voice?

CindyDianne said...

I think it is wonderful you are doing your levels so that you can "officially" teach. Simply wonderful.

I went to ride myself last night. I needed it. Sometimes riding is the only thing I can do for myself that helps me emotionally!

Heidi the Hick said...

Thanks Cindy. Horses are so good for us, aren't they!

Smarty, m'love! You appear to have such a wee tiny backside. No matter. Signed up for dressage lessons yet? Not that I think you're in any need of intensive therapy. I just think you deserve some horse time!

Notsocranky Yankee said...

Did you know Steve Tyler has a house in my town? Yep, in good ole Sunapee New Hampshire. Aerosmith played the high school prom in 1971 (unfortunately I was only 5 yrs. old)and my older sisters saw them often playing locally before they hit it big. I babysat for Mia Tyler once when she was a very young girl, but didn't even meet her parents. (Divorced at the time. Felt bad for the little girl...)

If I run into Steve Tyler I'll let him know he helped ya!

I met a couple of Air Canada pilots last night. For the record, they didn't have an accent. I can't imagine what a mennonite accent would sound like..

Distant Timbers Echo said...

Record yourself or something. I think that would be neato skeeto! I love hearing the voices of all you friends I meet online. I think it's really nice.

Heidi the Hick said...

kari, in a perfect world I'd organize a Hick Chic / Bedhead Redhead trail ride!

I do hope that teaching riding for a living will be a good way to live. I've toyed around with the idea for years and now that my head is clearing up, I've made my decision.

Heidi the Hick said...

Oh please do tell Steve Tyler that Heidi has been diggin him for half her life!

Tell you what: For Yank & Red I'll put my brain to work on getting the sound of my mennonite accent into your ears.