A big step

Ignore the filming! Millie was in charge of the camera, but I needed to film our starting point to record the rest of our journey. I also did a bit of jog and trot after this. Alfie was so good. It sounds funny, but it was just like he breathed a sigh of relief once I got on. He seemed so happy and relaxed, like it was only yesterday we had our last ride. I felt like he was feeling safe and secure doing something which was so familiar. It is hard to explain, but there was no surprise from him, no antsy-ness, no silly things because he hasn't been ridden for so long (9 months to be exact), he was just soft and listening and doing everything I asked immediately. He felt like a happy horse.
As for me, well I thought I would be so nervous, but it felt right to get on. I lunged him first but he was so soft and calm, I just got on. When I sat up there and picked up the reins, it felt so familiar to me too, like sitting in a favourite chair. The feel of him, the shape of him, his neck in front of me, his little ears - just everything felt so normal and I just automatically knew which 'buttons' to press. It didn't feel at all like it has been 9 months since I last rode.
I am not saying it wasn't a bit deal. It was in a way because it felt like I had 2 halves of me. The one I just described above and then another part which was on edge in case he spooked and shot off. I felt it wouldn't take much to make me lose my confidence in him.
Despite Pete telling me to stay on (!) I rode for about 10 minutes then got off on a good note.
Maybe I should explain too the reason for riding today when I have been told by the consultant I shouldn't ride until July.
It had been on my mind that I needed a plan for this year so Pete agreed to come to the breed show with me and I plan to do the in hand classes - which to be honest I don't find that exciting and neither do Pete or Alfie for that matter - but I thought it would get us back there and I decided I need to do that.
Then Pete said I should do the Western classes there too, but I would only have been riding for about a week then, so that is when Pete said he thought I should get on now, just really low key and only ride when someone is there, but be cautious and just ride in walk and jog and no hacking or anything more exciting until I can ride officially.
I really wanted to try it, so that is what I did today. I don't plan to ride all the time and will still concentrate on groundwork etc, and I know things can happen any time but.......well maybe I am being stupid because I certainly can't imagine getting through all that again which I went through last year...but.........
So that is it. I am not second guessing myself. I got on, it felt great.
Also Bruce sent a really encouraging and helpful email yesterday saying he would also help and I could take him over for a day and have Bruce ride him a couple of times. That kind of gave me confidence in Alfie too that Bruce thought that would work and it wouldn't be a big job to get him going again.
And Jane E-S also said that haflingers are great at having time off and will come back as they were when you left them.
I don't expect it all to be plain sailing and I don't intend to push things at all until I am officially allowed to ride, but it is nice to know I felt good up there as I didn't think I would.

This is a steep hill!!!