Equestrian Exploits… update

Loyal readers will know that early this year I began horse riding again, after a loooong break. A break of well over a decade in fact.  I read the blog of Amanda Shirtcliffe, a thoroughly inspirational para- rider, and I decided to try again.

So, how have I got on?

I am pleased to report that I am loving it. My only regret is staying away from it for so long. I have made some great new friends, I am gaining confidence in riding a number of larger horses as well as the ponies I generally favour. I have a “favourite” a beautiful Haflinger mare called Tizzy who is just lively enough to keep me busy but not so lively I feel unsafe (so far!!). If I only had more time, and far far more money, I would be very tempted to loan her.

I am sufficiently smitten with all things equestrian to have invested in:

A Champion Jockey Skull Cap & Silk (Hat)

Some Dublin Riverboots (which double as great walking boots!)

A body protector…

and numerous pairs of jodhpurs.

I would thoroughly recommend the following saddlers/ suppliers of all things equestrian…

Townfields Saddlers; my local saddlers in Allesley, Coventry. They are extremely helpful, very friendly and knowledgeable. They have experienced staff who can fit hats and body protectors. Their website is also excellent and they have a good clearance room too!!

http://www.townfields.com/

Equestrian clearance. For those items which don’t require fittings, such as jods, I would highly recommend them!

http://www.equestrian.com/c/clearance/

Other places you where you can find budget equestrian garms include:

• Amazon
• Rideaway
• Robinson Equestrian
• Sports Direct

I couldn’t write this without briefly mentioning the lovely Moor Farm Stables in Corley Moor. Helpful, friendly and professional. http://www.moorfarmstables.co.uk

So, now that I am a fully fledged member of the horse mad club once more, I need to start thinking about setting myself an equestrian goal for 2015. I have so far come up with:

• Gain confidence around more horses on the ground
• Gain confidence riding on the road and on country hacks
• Conquer my fear of jumps (little ones!)

Check back in 2015 for updates!

 

Sophie xx

Back in the saddle…

So, back in June I blogged about the fact that I had ridden horses/ ponies as a child, and how I had decided to try again. I had a few minor, although nasty injuries in my teens and I finally packed the riding in in my early twenties. It was happening upon the blog of Amanda Shirtcliffe, a rather inspirational para rider, which made me start thinking about horses again. Once the idea was in my head, I knew I had to give it a try.

( Amanda’s blog is well worth checking out http://www.pararider.co.uk)

So, with a friend who had never ridden I headed to my local stables, Moor Farm in Corley near Coventry.  http://www.moorfarmstables.co.uk

Our instructor Michele was friendly and I felt instantly at home as soon as I was back in the saddle! My mount for the first lesson was a lovely dark bay cob called Oscar. At 16hh he was considerably larger that the horses and ponies I had generally ridden in my youth. The lesson was going well and I was feeling smug about all the things I had remembered when unfortunately Oscar, who suffers a little with sweet itch, was bitten by a horse fly, at which point he gave a little buck and charged off round the school with me in a bouncy canter! I survived, he calmed down and I continued with the lesson. Lesson learnt, don’t be smug! The lesson was absolutely a great idea, and I have been going fortnightly since. I think it will take a while to get my confidence back, but it is a fun and rewarding hobby as well as being good general exercise!

Check back for more equestrian updates soon!

 

Sophie xx

 

 

Things that have made me smile, pt. 1

The first of my things which have made me smile this week:

After a very long break (approx. 8 years) I have made the decision to get back into the saddle. In my childhood and early teens I rode regularly, giving up my spare time to help out at a little local riding school; Bubbenhall Bridge in Warwickshire.  I loved it, and I loved horses, but not coming from a wealthy background I found myself a little limited in what I could do. In return for “helping out” we were given free rides on all sorts of horses and ponies from lovely, safe school masters to nasty, biting, kicking, feisty little beasts!

I had a few nasty, although minor injuries, along the way. Numerous falls from the straight withers of little stocky ponies left me battered and bruised. A particularly nasty incident happened when I was attempting to bring a rather feisty pony in from the field. She spun round, chased me, and then booted me hard in the leg and pelvic area. I was extremely lucky, a few inches higher and it could’ve been a very different story. It was horrendously painful, and my entire leg from hip to knee, went black. Afraid my mum would stop me riding I feigned less pain than I felt. Result? Permanent and poorly healed soft tissue damage! This still bothers me now.

Confidence shaken, but not deterred, I continued, cracking my knuckle joint jumping, putting my back out,  and finally breaking my nose (horse vaulted me into jump). In the end lack of time, and a love of shopping, boozing and my job/ studies killed off the riding and helping out. I last rode in my early twenties, and although I still love horses, often spectating at local shows, I never really intended to go back to it.

I am not 100% sure what changed my mind. Without a doubt I am bored. I go the gym, I run (although reduced lung capacity due to ventilation at birth means I could never do this competitively) and I am quite active. I am not great at team sports, rather lacking in hand eye coordination, and being single I do find I spend a lot of time alone. The initial high of being a qualified solicitor, finally after all my years of study, has begun to wear off. I do love a challenge, and I need a new hobby; a new focus.

I was also inspired by a rather amazing para-equestrian and her blog about her achievements. Anyone who is of a horse loving disposition, or who has ever attempted dressage ( I have; I wasn’t good!) should check out Amanda Shirtcliffe’s website:

http://www.pararider.co.uk

She is an inspiration and definitely part of the reason I have booked my first riding lesson in almost  a decade!

I have chosen a friendly local establishment for my first lesson; the lovely Moor Farm Stables. They have been friendly, helpful and approachable.

http://moorfarmstables.co.uk/index.aspx

I am very excited to get back in the saddle soon, and will be taking a friend with me who has never ridden before.

Fingers crossed it goes well, check back soon for an update!

Lots of love, Sophie (alter ego of My Little Law Life) xxx