I am not sure where to put this article, but i am putting it here because it counts as a fresh air activity.
I wanted to learn horse riding for a long time and after a great deal of searching found a place in palace grounds quite near my house.I landed on the first day bang at six in the morning fully excited. I had to wear a protective riding helmet before mounting the horse.Then all set I mounted a big brown horse called "LAGO". he was a quiet horse and later i was to know that all starters were given this horse. I was put into the first riding camp and started on the basics learning to rise up and down in rhythm with the horse's trot. After a great deal of thumping and knee bruising , I finally managed to get the rhythm by the third class. Then onwards it was a pleasure every moment. Oh the sheer delight of riding in the early mornings with overhanging branches early in the mornings has to be experienced. no other words for it. Once comfortable with the trotting, I was encouraged to trot at a faster pace by the trainer.
By then the ten classes of the first camp was over and i still had not cantered on the horse, leave alone galloping. Then i opted for the second camp. Since i made good progress in the first camp, the trainer taught me balancing on the horse without holding the reins. And there i was bumping on the horse with my hands parallel to the ground, like a circus dude. In the second camp these balancing acts were more finely tuned and i had a great time trotting away without holding the reins and humming many a jolly song. Since the trainer was happy with my learning, he had me ride more difficult and stubborn horses that occasionally bucked. But the rodeo rider managed to hold on.
Soon it was time to canter and I was allowed to canter the horse on the "outer ring" which was limited to a priveleged few, deemed good riders by the trainer. What fun, when your riding fast and the horse's mane flies in your face! I was so into the riding sessions that i started to go to Bangalore turf club to watch jockeys race their beauties.I even considered a stint as a jockey!Next stop was the third camp. here I started cantering more and started to negotiate the curves at a faster pace. It was during this phase that i was thrown off the horse and landed with a thump on my A**. The trainer was quick to come to my aid and made sure that I got right back on the horse. No Pain No Gain. Unfortunately I could not finish the third camp due to ill health. Now after a break I am ready to join the classes again. WHOA !
Whatever i have recounted is for a new rider. For riders who have finished their training camps or already know how to ride, there are show jumping and dressage classes. It is a great treat to watch the good riders beautifully jump their horses over walls and obstacles. I am eagerly waiting to progress to that level.
some of the photos. sorry about the large images, could not find a way to shrink them.
Learning the ropes on Laago.
Pics taken just after the ride on Ronin
...)
, nice pics thanks for sharing.
