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Monday, June 15, 2009

Well, guess what? I'M A REAL WESTERN RIDING INSTRUCTOR NOW!

I passed!

I wrapped the little pony mare's legs and tail.  I taught my fellow instructor candidates how to fit a saddle to a horse.  I wore my suitable western attire.  I was polite and pleasant but threw in a few laughs here and there.  I learned from my fellow candidate about rope halters and a new way to tie a quick release knot.  I lunged the grey pony mare in both directions and managed to get her on both leads and even do a half decent stop on the lunge line.  

I handled my stable management interview with what I felt was confidence, and later was told that I "exceeded expectations."  Huh?  Yeah!  Me!  Me who forgets everything!  

I rode that super-quick pony before the mounted lessons and figured her out the best I could.  I taught my lesson in the quick abbreviated version, as the evaluator asked, because we didn't have four hours for each of us to do an entire lesson.  I did alright... I felt like I was teaching for real, and only had one jaw-dropping tongue tied moment when one student completely ignored my instructions so she could do some impromptu training with her horse. I assured her he was doing fine, even if he wasn't up to her standard of perfection (she does reining and expects perfection) and that for what I was asking in this lesson he was great.  

In our final interview, I was asked what I thought went well and what I thought could be improved.  

I answered, very honestly, that everything could have been improved.  It's true, right?  There's always room.

But I knew, and told her, what specifically could be done in the future to teach better.  Now my job is to get out there and do it- get the experience, work with the riders, understand the horses.  

It's going to be great!

I spent 10 hours in that barn.  I was there well before 8 am, and left for home at 6 pm.  It was over an hour's drive from home.  By the end of the day, my feet were numb, my head hurt, and I was so tired I wasn't talking right anymore.  But, elated.  Relieved.  Pleased.

It's Monday morning now and I have to burn out for a little bit.  Y'know, take a nap, do some laundry, sweep up all the critter hair.  I'm pretty tired.  I had to go visit my horses yesterday, and of course, the humans they live with!  Later I'll tell you about my visit from the friendly neighbourhood vet (It's okay, everybody's fine, but somebody has a "zipper" on her forehead now) and more about Bucky's treehouse.  

It's just sinking in... I've reached a goal I set in place three years ago.  About ten years before that I thought I'd like to teach riding lessons.  Now I can.  I'm a certified Western Riding Instructor.  I'm legally and officially ready to teach beginners the basics of safe and effective riding.  I get to show people how much fun it is to spend time with horses!

Ahhhhhh......

ps   I could not have done this without:

an excellent coach (who is also a pretty cool friend to have)
kids who handled the changes in their lives with their mother out of the house a lot more
a husband who believed in my goal and wanted me to have it
friends who cheered me on every step of the way (and there were many steps)
my God-given gift of ancient inherited German stubbornness.

thank you

18 comments:

Paul Tee said...

Fantastik !!!

I burst a bloodvessel from holding my breath. Not because I was worried, but because I knew you were.

Congratulations.

It makes me want to ride, ride, ride...

Heidi the Hick said...

Geez Paul, you of all people should not be busting a blood vessel! They'll fill you up with barium again and take pictures of yer innards!

Thank you for thinking of me. You know what? I knew I could do it, as long as I held it together emotionally.

See ya at tea time!

LA Nickers said...

Good going!

Linda
The Mane Point

WEBSITE DESIGN RAFFLE – THROUGH DECEMBER 1, 2009

JKB said...

I KNEW YOU WOULD DO IT!

*dances around in her dancing shoes*

GO YOU!!!

whooooooohooooooooo!

oxoxox

Heidi Willis said...

Yeeeeeeeee Haaaaaawwwww!!!!

I knew you would... you love it so much - it's so much a part of who your are - I knew there was no way you wouldn't "exceed expectations."

But I know it's such a thrill to meet that goal!!

*wishing I had dancing shoes like Jen so I could dance too!!!**

jules said...

Yippee! Congratulations Heidi! I always knew you could do it!

Heidi the Hick said...

Thanks, guys! It feels like it's been a heck of a long process with so many obstacles, but it's been worth it.

Now the real work starts!

CindyDianne said...

Awesome!

I am SO PROUD of you! (and you look mighty cute up there in your header)

That is so cool. I'll be expecting a lesson sometime when I come up to Canada!

Bunny said...

WHOOO-HOOOOO!!
Congratulations!!

Coffeypot said...

Way to go, Heidi. I am almost as proud of you as you are of yourself. I knew you would do it. And I like your new picture in the header, too. The picture shows a real Western Riding Instructor. I wish I could be your first student, too. I have plenty of quarters save up.

restoration42 said...

This is so so so cool!!! Congratuations for passing and for all of your hard, hard work over the last three years. Well Done!

Biddie said...

I am so proud of you! I knew that you could do it all along, but I am sooo proud!

dilling said...

Woot woot.....i never had a doubt!
now i just have to get out there for my lessons!

Heidi the Hick said...

All blogbuddies get one free lesson!

Sharon said...

That's awesome! Congrats! Good for you for setting your goals and sticking with them!

Unknown said...

I knew you would do it too. I don't have anything new or clever to add, but "way to go"! hon. :)

mugwump said...

Good job.

Lynn Sinclair said...

I'm so, so happy for you. Congratulations! I do believe this calls for a celebratory tea session.