<p>Does anyone on here ride horses? Do you do IHSA showing (for those of you already in college)? I finally jumped on this horse I've been riding at school for a while, who's so green--he's only 6, and he'd never been ridden until he was 4 1/2, and he's only ever jumped at the barn here at school in the last semester. It's so unnerving for me cause I'm used to riding "babysitter" type horses for jumping, where they just know what to do and will do it even if you as the rider screw up, and he's so not like that. It was the first time I'd ever had to squeeze at the jump for a horse to jump it and not just trot over it, and I dunno, I guess it was a little bit cool to really ride and to know that I know what to do, but at the same time it's scarry cause he tried to refuse (was sooooo wiggley on the way to the jump!), and I really had to ride him. </p>
<p>haha ok, so yeah, a bit of a vent I guess, so does anyone else on here ride at school?</p>
<p>I am in high school, junior. Riding is really a lot of fun, I live in the carolina so there is a lot of open country and it took me a while to master the techiques....</p>
<p>yay, you should totally show in college. it's soooo much fun going with friends at 5am to a horse show. I never showed in HS so I never really rode with my friends, and it's really cool doing it in school.</p>
<p>I ride but just for fun. I do it about once a month at my grandfathers ranch....although I havent been there recently becuase I fell off of my horse and i've been sort of scared,<em>blushes</em>, to ride again</p>
<p>Aww, don't be scared to ride again! I have fallen more times than I can count (okay, I can count, but it will take me a minute... at least 8 times, and I'm sure I've left a few out), including breaking my back, and being run away with and thrown on a trail when I was 11 (and just about a month ago, too). Since I broke my back I've jumped, and made some additional progress, though I will admit I still have an irrational fear of cantering--it's so scarry. I'll do it because I know I have to to make any progress, but if cantering weren't necessary I wouldn't really do it. </p>
<p>but I have to say, make yourself canter, especially if it's been two years since you've done it. It's one of those things where you don't have to do it all the time, but get it done! It will help with the mental aspects of riding. Try to get cantering out of the way before you get to school, because they're not gonna let you jump if you don't canter, and there's only so much you can do at a trot. Better get the cantering out of the way while your still on a horse your comfortable on and know and trust.</p>
<p>I've been riding for 6-7 years and showing for about 4, and I am now looking for a college with a good riding program and would LOVE a college with a major in equine studies. Anyone here care to share their experiences? I'm really interested in getting on the team, and even I have a chance. I'm a HS junior, but I want to start going to colleges soon and looking at the programs. Thanks! </p>
<p>Oh yeah, and that whole thing about cantering, it still kinda gets me too. When I was learning how to trot, the horse I was riding spooked and took off at a gallop. I managed to hang on, but ever since any horse that is a little out of control at the canter gets to me just a little. So I totally understand :) But I love to jump, so I had to canter and it gets easier if you keep doing a little bit each time:)</p>
<p>I love riding, although I don't do it very often because I love in nyc, but I do ride whenever I go out to my country house in Pennslyania. Riding a horse bareback is such a nice experience :). For those that ride: do you prefer English or Western? I personally hate western, maybe its because its the way I learned but I still find western cumbersome.</p>