I was pretty shocked to have been asked by Genius Equestrian to write a monthly blog for them. In fact my first response was… “What us?” Why would anyone be interested in reading a blog written by a fifty something, short plump person who wishes she could ride her very forgiving pony just a bit better.

I spent the first thirty years being allergic to horses. In fact my Mum will tell you she waited in line with me for an hour and a half for a pony ride at a local fair when I was about five. We reached the front of the queue for me to state very loudly that …”poooo, they smell, I don’t want to…”

Some quarter of a century later, my partner introduced my children to riding lessons, and I felt left out, and then that was it… I have been pony obsessed ever since, and worked my way through virtually every one of our beautiful native breeds

I am a social worker by profession; my skills lie in risk management, which over flows into every part of life and I am not a naturally Brave person. Actually I am not a brave person at all. I used to be less fearful, but children, and a few broken vertebrae put and end to that. I suppose what I am saying is, a little fear can be a healthy thing, as long as you can work with it.

I view every ride as a personal triumph. Every time I get on in the wind, the snow, front out a deer, or a blooming helium balloon, I feel like I have won an Olympian medal.

My Eeyore a ten year old little powerhouse of a Clydesdale in miniature Is truly my pony of a lifetime, not because we will reach dizzy heights, but he is genuine in spirit, and makes me feel a million dollars when I am on board. He was a jumping pony in his previous life before me, and now an aspiring dressage Diva. In our first season we started out at Intro (Person sitting on top too scared to attempt canter. We finished last year with an online Elementary test, and a tiny bit of sideways stuff to boot!

I am my own toughest critic. I set up my mobile on a tripod, and let it record footage from the corner of the school. I see my hands, my funny feet, my collapsed hip, and my head on sideways, but it is the best feeling when you school, and there is that moment, maybe just a few strides when it all feels right.

I am looking forward to writing about our forthcoming exploits and plans for this year. I can say it includes a lesson with Sam Turner (who hasn’t heard of Billy Whizz cob extraordinaire), a trip to the beach, and to the Forest, and some sort of outlandish idea that we might try a medium test by the end of the 2018. Oh… and we are going to have a go at Native Coloured showing classes. Also…. and if anyone can arrange it; I would like to take ownership of a sash!!!!! She on top doesn’t want much does she!!!!

See you next month!