SOLO FLIGHT

At my last riding lesson, we were working on taking Beauty through four sets of double cones set in a circle at a trot. Every time I went through the third set of cones, Beauty would try to break into a canter and head for the gate instead of curving to the right towards the final set of cones. Whenever she did this, I had to pull hard with my right rein and push with my left leg to get her to turn back while she fought against doing so all the way to the fence.

The fourth time I tried as we went through the third set of cones, she was just as disobedient as ever and I'm not quite sure how it happened, perhaps I was still trying to post while struggling to get her under control, but I made the mistake of leaning forward. Before I could correct myself, I had lost my balance and I was catapulted off the front of Beauty. I flipped 270 degrees and then came down on my back and backside. My head was lifted slightly so it did not hit the ground and my helmet stayed on. I was okay but my right pinkie finger was hurting.

I said to Bonnie, "Well, I guess I have to get back on." I remounted and the final turn through the circle I got her through the third and fourth set of cones. I finished cleaning up the barn but when I got home I noticed my right foot ached. It hadn't bothered me earlier but it really ached when I tried to walk on it after I got home. I applied icepacks through the evening and the next day it was fine. My right hand swelled up and still hurts.