The next challenge arose in the middle of the class. Thirty minutes into the class, Lilly the main teacher tells me "What do you think the kids should do now? I want you to take the lead now". Her requirement caught me by surprise so I had to use my previous knowledge to think of an exercise that would be appropriate to end the class with. It was the first time I was asked to lead on my own, and naturally I was a little unsure of my abilities as a teacher and as a rider. After analyzing everything the students had done in the class, I concluded that it is logical to end the class with a canter lap. I responded to Lilly that the kids should do a canter lap, and she immediately told me to tell them directly. Even though I was asked to give an order to the kids, suddenly I felt unsure of my knowledge and started doubting myself. I didn't feel as if I was prepared to give orders based on my own judgements, and decided to phrase the command as a question. I said "do you guys feel like it's all right to canter now?", and as soon as I said it the kids started doubting me and where unsure as if to follow my orders or not.
Right after that lesson, I had a chat with Lilly about the importance of confidence when teaching. Specially when working with kids, it's important that they see me as someone who knows what she is doing, someone they can trust. In order to gain their trust and respect it is essential that I speak with confidence and that I give loud and clear commands they can easily follow. Leadership is something I sometimes struggle with. I can work collaboratively and contribute with my ideas perfectly, but as soon as I'm left on my own, I lack the confidence to lead. Throughout this CAS project I have been able to recognize this weakness of mine, and with practice and the help of Lilly I will overcome this challenge and improve my leadership skills. This won't only be beneficial in the horseback riding lessons, but leadership is a skill that will help me for the rest of my life in anything I do.
Thinking it through I believe this is the perfect CAS project for me, because it gives me the opportunity to pursue my passion and at the same time share it with others. After riding my whole life, I have acquired extensive knowledge on horses and the riding techniques; with this project, I am taking my previous knowledge, and using it to teach kids. Not only am I teaching the kids the basics of horseback riding, but I am learning new things myself.
Right after that lesson, I had a chat with Lilly about the importance of confidence when teaching. Specially when working with kids, it's important that they see me as someone who knows what she is doing, someone they can trust. In order to gain their trust and respect it is essential that I speak with confidence and that I give loud and clear commands they can easily follow. Leadership is something I sometimes struggle with. I can work collaboratively and contribute with my ideas perfectly, but as soon as I'm left on my own, I lack the confidence to lead. Throughout this CAS project I have been able to recognize this weakness of mine, and with practice and the help of Lilly I will overcome this challenge and improve my leadership skills. This won't only be beneficial in the horseback riding lessons, but leadership is a skill that will help me for the rest of my life in anything I do.
Thinking it through I believe this is the perfect CAS project for me, because it gives me the opportunity to pursue my passion and at the same time share it with others. After riding my whole life, I have acquired extensive knowledge on horses and the riding techniques; with this project, I am taking my previous knowledge, and using it to teach kids. Not only am I teaching the kids the basics of horseback riding, but I am learning new things myself.
Back to Horseback Riding
April 12, 2016
Learning Outcomes: Skills, Initiative
Learning Outcomes: Skills, Initiative
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by horses. When I was only 6 years old I asked my mother to enroll me in horseback riding lessons because I was tired of petting horses, and actually wanted to learn to ride one. At that time no one would have never guessed that 11 years later my passion for horses still continue.
After years of training and competing in jumping and dressage, I have finally decided to leave competition behind, and start riding for pleasure. Last June I had my last competition, and I decided to take a break from horseback riding and focus on my school grades. During the summer break I decided to re-take horseback riding, but on my own, meaning that I wasn’t going to compete, but instead I was going to ride for my own enjoyment. After a few days riding on my own I realized that I had forgotten what it was like to ride because you want to instead or because you need to.
Riding on my own is such a different experience than riding in a class or in a training session. I feel that choosing what to do instead of being told what I should do is something that has helped me become more independent and mature. I feel as if the bond between the horse and I in this case is much stronger due to that I am not always busy practicing and training, but I am thinking about my horse and aware of his needs. In horseback riding, specially when you train intensively its easy to forget that the horse is a living being just like you with feelings and dislikes, we tend to treat our horses as machines and demand for their full efficiency.
Something I really liked about riding on my own is the independence I get. I love the idea of having to make up my own routine, and have the flexibility to change it or modify it if I need to. On the other hand, I think that riding on my own will help me on the personal side. Not only will it help me to get to know my horse from another perspective and in a more intimate way, but it will help me become more independent and disciplined. The fact that I don’t have someone chasing me telling me what I have to do and planing my routines, now I am required to plan my own routines according to what the horse needs and to what I want. At the same time this is a challenge because now that I don’t someone telling me what to do, I have to learn to pressure myself and be disciplined enough to still continue being as effective as I used to be. Of course there will be days were I will be more relaxed and focus on reconnecting with my horse, but some days I’m actually planning on training on my own.
After years of training and competing in jumping and dressage, I have finally decided to leave competition behind, and start riding for pleasure. Last June I had my last competition, and I decided to take a break from horseback riding and focus on my school grades. During the summer break I decided to re-take horseback riding, but on my own, meaning that I wasn’t going to compete, but instead I was going to ride for my own enjoyment. After a few days riding on my own I realized that I had forgotten what it was like to ride because you want to instead or because you need to.
Riding on my own is such a different experience than riding in a class or in a training session. I feel that choosing what to do instead of being told what I should do is something that has helped me become more independent and mature. I feel as if the bond between the horse and I in this case is much stronger due to that I am not always busy practicing and training, but I am thinking about my horse and aware of his needs. In horseback riding, specially when you train intensively its easy to forget that the horse is a living being just like you with feelings and dislikes, we tend to treat our horses as machines and demand for their full efficiency.
Something I really liked about riding on my own is the independence I get. I love the idea of having to make up my own routine, and have the flexibility to change it or modify it if I need to. On the other hand, I think that riding on my own will help me on the personal side. Not only will it help me to get to know my horse from another perspective and in a more intimate way, but it will help me become more independent and disciplined. The fact that I don’t have someone chasing me telling me what I have to do and planing my routines, now I am required to plan my own routines according to what the horse needs and to what I want. At the same time this is a challenge because now that I don’t someone telling me what to do, I have to learn to pressure myself and be disciplined enough to still continue being as effective as I used to be. Of course there will be days were I will be more relaxed and focus on reconnecting with my horse, but some days I’m actually planning on training on my own.
The Morning ExperienceAugust 18, 2015
Learning Outcomes: Skills, Perseverance This summer, I took a break from schoolwork and stress, and decided to start jogging every morning. Of course it was hard at first, I continually felt as if my heart were to explode, but with practice and patience I slowly became more and more resistant. When the school year began, I had already gotten used to my daily routine, and was motivated by my friends to continue to jogging experience in the mornings before school. I never would have thought of myself as a morning person, but it seems like jogging before school helps me clear my mind before starting the day and come to school awake and ready to learn. |