Cheryl’s Thoughts

I wanted to let you know of the improvements I have noticed with my riding. I think MUCH of the credit starts with Sky, with his broad, sturdy build making me feel "safe".

To work-on some of those more basic things like "balance," that seems to be the foundation upon which all other maneuvers rest. I've noticed a definite improvement in that, giving ME more hope for improvement!?!

I've mentioned before how I noticed big improvements with walking without stirrups. That has improved since September to where I was a bit nervous preferring Sky to walk slowly, with a sidewalker, and I would "need to" hold-on to the jumping strap at all times ... to where I could do without a sidewalker.

Then Sky could walk a little faster, but I couldn't quite relinquish my death-grip on that jumping strap. But then I would find myself holding his mane instead of the jumping strap! More recently, I found myself holding the strap in front of the "pommel".

A HUGE improvement, in my view, that has me quite excited in my attempts to "more properly" achieve maneuvers/commands!! I sometimes think that I let my excitement with my improvements "override" other riding skills. But I'm still thrilled over-all!!!

THANKS for yet another awesome year!

Pax Christi, Cheryl