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