Learning From Other Sports
Published by GHC • Sep 11th, 2008 • Category: Odds & Ends, by Rebecca Shylyby Rebecca Shyly, age 12
As horse girls, we are usually athletic. Although some people do not consider horseback riding a sport (let’s see them post without stirrups for even 5 steps!) we all know it is. So, because we are athletes, we can learn from other sports. Some examples:
Sayings: A lot of the sayings and quotes your coach teaches you in other sports apply to horseback riding. One that my dance teacher taught me, “You’re not a dancer until you fall down.” Well, in horseback riding everyone falls off at one point or another. So falling off just proves you’re trying.
Sportsmanship: This one, in my opinion, is the most important. Just as you should not get upset when you lose a basketball game, you should not be upset when you do not get first place at the horse show. This only makes you look like a sore loser, and how many of you say, “When I grow up I want to be a sore loser!”? Not many I’m guessing (and hoping!). So being a good sport is important.
Stretching: When you ride a horse it does work some of your muscles. So, if you know some good stretches from soccer or any other sport, try them out before you go to your lesson. You might feel more limber and flexible. We warm the horses up before we work them too hard, right? So don’t you deserve the same chance to work that body?
Support: Maybe you don’t think of this as important, but once in a while you might want to invite your parents, grandma, grandpa, aunties and uncles to come and watch you ride. Maybe even some of your non-horsey friends. This is just like inviting a friend to your softball game — it might help your family realize how special the activity is to you.
Believe: No matter what sport you play you have to believe in yourself. “I think I can, I think I can” might actually help you believe that you can!! Always trust yourself. If you don’t always worry about tripping and breaking your leg in field hockey, you shouldn’t worry about falling off your horse.
Things you learn don’t have to be limited to where you learn them. They can apply to this whole big crazy world!
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I like it. And everything you said is so right. Great blog!
Horsecrazzz, you’re amazing. I absolutely LOVE this blog! Very creative idea and your writing had blown me away! I really hope to hear more from you soon :D
You are so right Horsecrazz. I was just writing little profiles about some horses of— Oh my gosh! What a brilliant idea! I just thought of another blog to write.
You have a great style of writing. I love your “work”!
Gotta go write the blog!!
-mustangmane
Thanks Madelaina. I was just thinking of all the times my instrucor talks about how other sports can help up, and this is what the outcome was. You are a very supportive member of the herd! I hope to be writing another blog this weekend.
horsewhispers, Thanks, I’m glad you liked it.
mustangmane, thanks for your support! You are a great friend. I’m glad that you liked it!
Can’t wait to hear from you all soon!