Conference noted::equitation

    
    I felt like I belonged on top of a horse.  I know some folks who were
    nervous when they got on for the first time and they didn't stick with
    the sport.  you got it, or you don't (IMHO)
    
    Lou

    
    	I remember my first lesson/first time on a horse. I 
    	was 12, and once I got on him I didn't wan't anyone
    	to make him move! I wouldn't consider myself a `natural',
    	I have had to work hard to get where I am now and stay
    	there. 
    
    	Sherry

    My father brought home our first horse when I was 5....he was green so
    we didn't get to do much riding.  I got out of horse when I got married
    and just returned to them 9 years ago.  It never gets out of your
    blood....  How did I feel, nervous but GREAT!!!!
    
    

    I dont remember my first time, I was way to young to have a memory of
    it, I grew up on a farm with horses and ponies always around....but my
    Mom has told me the first time they sat me on one of the ponies I
    laughed and giggle until they tried to take me off, then I started
    wailing. I dont even remember when I first started riding 'alone'....my
    earliest real memory is of being on a little red/white pinto pony and
    steering around a tree stump....the only red/white pinto we had was
    Apache, who died when I was 6ish...part of that memory is feeling
    'contact' for the first time, and being proud of myself for it, not
    that I realized what is was all about that young, but I knew
    instinctively that is was a 'good' thing. :-)

    
    When I was five, my sister used to teach me on a borrowed Shetland
    pony.  I don't remember my first rides, but I do remember the first day
    my sister let me canter the pony.  There I was, 'cantering' along,
    having the time of my life, when my sister, suddenly and rather
    sternly, told me to stop the pony.  I was somewhat confused when she
    got on him and rode him around for a few minutes, then let me get back
    on.
    
    Turns out that the 'cantering' I was enjoying was actually some pretty
    aggressive bucking!!!
    
    Amy

    I don't rememeber how old I was.  It was in Laural Bay, SC.  I was on a
    big grey named Smokey.  I screamed the entire 2 hr ride.  When we got
    back to the barn, I didn't want to get off and screamed all the way
    home.
    
    Virginia

    
    First time:
    I was a toddler I sat on my aunts Palomino and white Paint with my dad.  He
    rode me all around (so they say).  I loved it....and I screamed when
    they took me off him...I don't remember that.  Although the same day, 
    I got bit by their stud...and I remember that!
    
    My first time riding a real (not a stable/hack horse - boring)horse
    was just over 5 years ago and a group of friends took me on a
    day long, very fast, trail ride to West Hill Dam in Northbridge/Uxbridge 
    MA.  We were out 6 hours (including lunch).  I was riding an `old reliable'
    Morgan pony who jigged the whole time.  I was sore for a week!  My
    friends never thought I'd ever get on another horse.....boy did I fool
    them. :^)
    
           Michele

    
    
    	Couldn't stand horses as a kid.. My mother raced trotters and
    my first ride was on a reg quarter horse stallion named BOB that
    use to pace the trotters - I was 3 - (don't remember it).. Got a 
    picture though.  My father bought my first pony when I was six 
    he didn't know he was a little bugger still had all his jewels..
    
    Took me all summer to learn how to ride him - got dragged, thrown,
    kicked and bit by the little s.o.b.  
    
    I have always had horses.. except that one time when an old boyfriend
    convienced me that he was more important than the horse.. He didn't
    last long (the boyfriend).
    
    I married the right guy - he loves the horse just as much as I do..