Making changes to meet my goals

It was a tough decision, but I've decided to leave my dressage instructor.  Since I now have two jobs, the working student agreement is no longer working out and I felt that my instructor was not focused on giving me lessons half the time.  Riding is not just a hobby for me, I want to turn it into a career, so I need an instructor that takes my goals seriously, believes in me, and is focused.  So this week I begin the hunt for a new instructor.  I have one in mind, but I have yet to meet her and see how she teaches.  That will happen this week.

My new job and some good resources

Hello, everyone. I just added a new job to my list of things that I do.  I work for Cincinnati Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship, which helps people with disabilities through equestrianism, as a stablehand.  Today was my second day and I'm meeting a lot of cool people.  Unfortunately, the job cuts into my dressage working student time, so I'm trying to work out a new deal with my trainer.  I was going to try to lease a horse now that I have a job, but after a lot of thinking, it'd be irresponsible for me to get a horse right now, so I'm going to continue working my ass off in exchange for rides and jumping at the opportunity for free rides.  Such is the life of the horseless rider.

I was hoping to be in a show this coming weekend, but the owner of the horse I ride isn't going, so that means I'm out.  I was really looking forward to showing.

I bought the book Yoga for Equestrians to help me work on my muscles and balance for riding.  So far, I'm having trouble doing it consistently, but I think once I create a routine, I'll start seeing some improvement.

I got a free month of Dressage Training Online through Chronicle of the Horse (I don't have the link to the code, sorry!) and I've been watching the videos religiously.  I have hopes that the information will just sink into my mind and I'll instantly become a better rider.

I've also been obsessively watching videos on EquestrianLife.

It is my hope that all of the above will improve my horsemanship, riding, and really help on my road to becoming a professional rider.