While driving back the other day after a particularly challenging horse jump lesson, I realized there are many similarities between horseback riding and flying. It reminded me that – as with any sport – I need to walk before I run. There is a progression of skill, and nothing but experience can advance me to the next level. And it reminded me that variety is a good thing. Riding the same horse all the time is like an experienced pilot flying the same airplane in the same conditions.
I was assigned a horse that likes speed. As soon as I got up in the saddle, he wanted to start walking. As much as I tried to hold back the reins, I had to shorten my stirrups while he was walking me around the arena. That was all fine and dandy, but he made me a little uncomfortable when we were instructed to trot over a set of cavalettis. As soon as we got closer, the horse would pick up the pace significantly, and he would trip over the cavalettis almost every time. A couple of times he picked up a canter as we were in the middle of the obstacle.
