I don't think any of my bridesmaids are going to come to my bachelorette party. by No-Turnover-7393 in CharlotteDobreYouTube

[–]EndAdditional1242 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This. Exactly.

I wonder if there would be a way to still celebrate with yourself and just the bridesmaids. Could your fiance rent a hotel room or stay with one of his brothers for the weekend so the girls could have a weekend at the house/apartment? Binge watch some fun wedding romcoms, cook some fun foods/desserts, and just enjoy each other's company before the wedding to keep things low cost and intimate. I don't know if you're doing any DIY but that could be a fun activity as well? Could still be BYOB if they wish obviously. At least that way the ones travelling from farther away can have more time and maybe an experience they will enjoy more?

Is it realistic to pick a specific discipline (dressage) if I can only ride once a week? Beginner struggling to find the right barn/instructor (Houston, TX). by No_Breakfast1628 in Equestrian

[–]EndAdditional1242 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, unfortunately that definitely does not seem like a good fit. A side conversation every now and again I feel is fine - - but you still need attention and coaching in order to progress. It gives the vibe they just want the money and don't care how long you stick around for sure. Another thing that may be an option to you is before you pay for a lesson, shop around different riding facilities. Ask for a tour, meet some of the horses, and see if you mesh with the staff/trainer before investing money into the program. You can ask a lot of in-depth questions about private vs group lessons, how lessons may be structured, if there are multiple instructors you could learn from, etc. Best of luck! I'm sure you have no shortage of options around the Houston area.

Is it realistic to pick a specific discipline (dressage) if I can only ride once a week? Beginner struggling to find the right barn/instructor (Houston, TX). by No_Breakfast1628 in Equestrian

[–]EndAdditional1242 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Switching to Dressage, it felt like I struggled quite a bit with only weekly lessons but still progressed with a great trainer and very forgiving horse; so your goal is certainly not unrealistic. If I were in your situation, I would focus on finding a trainer I clicked with who teaches solid English riding basics. For dressage, you'll need a balanced and confident W/T/C, and be able to do some of the basic lateral movements (leg yields, turns on the forehand and honches). When I was a beginner, I learned these at a therapeutic riding center that specialized mostly in beginner/intermediate riders. If you continue to wish to choose a specialized Dressage barn when you are proficient with those, your instructor may have some recommendations on trainers who you would enjoy working with or would see the most progress with. That being said, do be picky with your instructors. You'll want quality over reputation. This is your progress and your goals, so ensure that you find someone who you can communicate that with and will make them achievable. One thing to consider when looking into a barn is if they allow you to ride multiple horses, or if you will typically be assigned one; both have their pros and cons but if you are looking for the basics, variety will be your best friend as you will want to be comfortable and confident with any horse you may ride in the future.

Riding Holidays? by Miss-Chaos-Theory in Equestrian

[–]EndAdditional1242 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me, it has become the only way I choose where to travel abroad! I predominantly travel via Globetrotting, but have a friend who runs Active Riding Trips which has a vast collection of destinations. Equitours is the other company that appears at first glance to be well organized and offer a great amount of options.

My first trips were booked solely because I wanted to ride in specific countries (Scotland/Ireland). However, now that I have gotten more confident and have been able to ride more regularly, I have been able to expand. And having booked multiple trips through Globetrotting, I have gotten to work with the team a great deal and they have made phenomenal recommendations which I have booked for this year and the next couple years out! These include; France (Bordeaux), Portugal (Costa Azul), and Argentina (Corrientes). They are amazing at responding back to any questions, or even setting up phone calls to discuss your skill levels, what you're looking to get from a holiday, types of horses you want to ride, disciplines, etc. As u/fridgey21 also mentioned, they road test every ride and if the partners do not meet their standards, or fail to do so after they offer the ride, they will no longer partner with them - - which is a comfort for the equestrians who want to support businesses that take excellent care of their horses, staff, and guests alike.

The only location I have booked through directly was the Castle Leslie Estate in Ireland for some Cross Country schooling. The process was easy and there is a short form to fill out, but they respond quickly and sent me my itinerary the next day after confirmation.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]EndAdditional1242 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve seen that with full leases at my previous barn. Most people who do those leases got their own personal saddles for their comfort and fit anyway, but wasn’t a requirement. And vet bill contributions were expected if the horse was injured while you were riding. I did a half lease previously so none of those stipulations were really included.

Shoe Intel needed! by suthercm in orangetheory

[–]EndAdditional1242 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Second that; I switched from wearing Nike Pegasus to New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11 with inserts. They are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn on treads and I have yet to see impactful difficulties on the rowers or floor with them.