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# Lisa's Blog Post #1
- URL: https://www.myvirtualeventingcoach.com/lisas-blog-post-1/
- Published: 2011-03-25T02:58:00.000Z
- Updated: 2011-03-25T02:58:32.000Z
- Author: Administrator
- Tags: ~Lisa's Corner~, #Import 2026-01-20 00:55

Oh.My. Goodness.I thank the Lord for Lesley Stevenson.She fixed me!  

Now I just need to be able to do it on my own and do it until it becomes instinctive.  

Basically, I have been riding backwards.I have been riding from my hands to my seat instead of from my seat to my hands.To fix it she had me get him [out in front of my leg](http://www.myvirtualeventingcoach.com/articles/teaching%5Fyour%5Fhorse%5Fto%5Fstay%5Fin%5Ffront%5Fof%5Fyour%5Fleg) at the walk so he was really marching.Then I took up a light contact on the reins and asked for bend, making sure I was following with my seat and thinking [*forward*](http://www.myvirtualeventingcoach.com/articles/what%5Fdoes%5Fit%5Fmean%5Fto%5Fride%5Fforward) into the light feel.If he hollowed, I was to use my leg and urge him *forward* to get him back into the contact.If he wanted to lean on my hand I was to let him stretch and seek the contact – not to hold him up – always thinking *forward*.  

Cotton obviously appreciated my new skill!Though I need to work on canter departures big time, he went into each one relaxed and easy – no bucking or leaping or leaning or rushing.The two times he did get a teensy bit light on the back end as we were cantering around – it kind of felt like he thought about switching behind – Lesley could tell it was because I wasn’t urging him *forward*.His canter was so easy I thought I could have done a stadium round right then and there!  

At the trot we practiced slowing down and speeding up – all by using my seat by postingslower instead of taking back with my hands – and always thinking *forward*. I’d like to make learning how to do that at the canter in 2-point the focus of next week’s lesson.  

How have I missed this all these years?Why did Cotton suddenly rebel against the way I’ve been riding him for the past 1½ years?I have no clue – but I do know that the situation involving my fall during last week’s lesson began this short chain of events that has lead to a completely new way of riding for me!  

So should I say I’m *glad* I bit the dirt?Well…actually....yes!   

I am thankful I didn’t get hurt and, you know, if you don’t get injured your fall doesn’t count!