I’m in Charge!

I had some difficulty deciding on the title for this post.I first thought of “I’m on my own.” but in today’s lesson my coach Belinda Trussell said several times: “You’re in charge”. So that’s it. I’m in charge.

But what does that mean? What am I in charge of ? In recent lessons Belinda has been saying less and watching to see what I do, on my own, to make corrections and improvements with Biasini . This cannot be easy because as a coach and instructor, she must want to be telling me what to do, and how to do it to make it better. But…take a look at the photo below. On the right in the white t-shirt is my Florida coach Lou Denizard, and next to him two friends and fellow students of Lou’s. On the left, in the hat, is my husband taking video on my phone. I am going down the centerline at White Fences at the end of my Intermediare 1 dressage test.

For the seven minutes preceeding this photo I have been in the ring riding my test. On my own. My coach cannot tell me what to do . He cannot tell me to step it up, tone it down, do more of this, less of that. I am in charge.

So, in my lessons Belinda watches . If she sees me make a correction she will tell me that I have done the right thing. What she does not want to see is Biasini doing something sub par and me doing nothing about it. I can make a mistake but I had better correct it quickly. When Biasini is going well Belinda will tell me.

Just the other day I remembered that my inspiration word for 2019 is commit. That’s it. I must commit and take charge.

Comments

27 responses to “I’m in Charge!”

  1. Lignum Draco Avatar

    Take charge – a great attitude for life, in general.

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      It is! Thank you for this comment.

  2. David Avatar

    For the past five years, the daughters have been in charge of every phase of their riding program, particularly their off season work. They breakdown every bit of video and photographs I take for them. They do take an occasional lesson, but that too has become rare. When they practice at the facility (indoors and outdoors), their instructor Trish watches their workouts. Afterwards, they talk.

  3. Gavin & Wyatt Avatar

    Taking charge is indeed an active form of commitment. A fine inspiring blog message by you.

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you so much.

  4. Alli Farkas Avatar

    I love it when I’m having a lesson and my trainer sees me fixing something and says “you are correct”!

  5. dprastka Avatar

    Fun post and I love the connection with, I’m in charge and commit! I read in a John Lyons training book that with a horse you are the leader of two. That has helped me so much as you can’t let the horse be the leader as they look for leadership, they are too big to let them take over. So to be in charge makes perfect sense and creates a BEAUTIFUL team! ♥️♥️♥️

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Diana. It is necessary to be a leader but a kind one. I feel certain you are a kind leader. Firm but kind!

      1. dprastka Avatar

        Awe, thank you Anne. Very important to be kind, but I’m very firm and try to be very consistent. They respond so well to us as I know you are the same!! ♥️🐴🐎♥️

  6. Subbashini Meenakshi Sundaram Avatar

    Very nice post, yes we are in charge for riding our own horse or life 🙏🏻❤️

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Yes that is true.

  7. Emma Cownie Avatar

    Oh, it’s like doing your driving test when you’ve been used to your driving instructor yakking away!

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Exactly! That is a good parallel example. Thanks Emma.

  8. Prior... Avatar

    Fun post – and thanks for sharing your word of the year too – commit did connect to the being in charge – great message here!

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you!

      1. Prior... Avatar

        😊

  9. cagedunn Avatar

    Every partnership requires commitment, and I’ve always called it (the rider) the ‘pack leader’ role. A good pack leader will enable the other members (even if only one) to follow with confidence and trust. Horses are herd animals, and they know there must be one who leads, so they understand, and commit to the leader who demonstrates worthiness and inspiration.

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      You are right . Horses usually have an Alpha Mare in the herd who keeps an eye out and let’s them know where they should go. I had not thought about that parallel with riding. Thanks for this comment

  10. Judy Avatar

    Sometimes, this is a necessary reminder in other aspects of life. I needed it as I struggle with editing. I’m in charge. Thanks. 🙂

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      I’m glad you can apply this idea to an aspect of your life too.

  11. Auntysocial Avatar
    Auntysocial

    Straight up amazed at how immaculately turned out and well you look together That chestnut just *POPS* 😀 Don’t think I have even touched a horse so well groomed.

    With you all the way though I could almost hear Belinda too. No ride or round is perfect but what can be done to perfection is making it look perfect anyway. (what?!)

    Stunning.

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you so much for this comment. He does clean up well for a show!

  12. littlepiecesofme1 Avatar

    Great read. I once had a trainer tell me…horse is labor, I’m management. I struggled at first because don’t we all want beautiful partnerships with our horses and that mentality seemed to go against that thought. Now that I have a little different perspective I think partnerships can be beautiful even if one is the leader and one party takes charge, because the truth is….I don’t want my horse making the decisions. They really are not good at it 😉 Happy Riding!!!!!

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you for this comment. I agree that we want a good partnership but a leader is needed. I dont mean we have to subjugate our horses to an inferior position with austere methods but a kind and clear direction is what the horse is looking for. Biasini responds much better when I am clear and consistent.

  13. skwctgme Avatar

    Interesting to read.

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thanks for taking the time to read and to comment.

      1. skwctgme Avatar

        OK. You are welcome.

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