Is it their ability to stay in the saddle?
Is it the amount of competitions they win?
Is it the work they put in?
Is it someone doing well on a pre-made horse?
Is it someone working their way up through the ranks?
It’s a term that’s used for a variety of people but what exactly are you referring too?
Sometimes the horses are doing it all for us, does that mean you’re a good rider because you’re winning a lot or are you just on a good horse?
I’ve ridden a variety of horses and I’ve had a massive number of falls - some more serious than others. I’ve ridden horses that have come back from sales, horses that have absolutely annihilated me out hacking or schooling, I’ve ridden horses that know their job and I’ve ridden horses that don’t.
I can ride, I’m not saying that I’m amazing but I can get over a course of show jumps and I can ride a XC course. Is a good rider someone who can master all 3 disciplines? Because we all know how much I love dressage.... I’d like to be able to do it, I just can’t and that mental block is what’s stopping me from achieving anything with my flat work.
I personally think and it is MY personal opinion - a good rider is somebody who treats their horse in an appropriate manner, a lot of people can judge a rider with something that they are doing but surely the rider knows their horse better than anyone else. A good rider is someone who can almost stick in the saddle and treating any mishaps in a kind way.
I would be interested in hearing anyone else’s view on ‘What make someone a good rider’
]]>My old ride Ali got put to sleep, I was involved in a car accident which wrote my car off and I needed over 6 weeks of physio for, my relationship broke down which resorted in me losing my house so I had to move back to my parents. It all seems doom and gloom, but also I have found a new horse to ride and I’m beginning to find my feet again.
I’ve been working 14 hour days, then some weeks I’ve been working 7 days a week to keep my mind occupied. Maybe it was a road to self destruction as I didn’t really know what else to do with myself, I had also been relying on alcohol to keep myself on a permanent level of something. As you know, alcohol is also a depressant so I was living in a constant loop of tiredness and substance abuse.
I’ve always been an advocate for Mental Health and the importance of looking after yourself, which is rather hypocritical of me as I wasn’t looking after myself.
I see myself as a selfless person and I put my time into helping others, I’d much rather the people around me were ok... I didn’t really feel that I mattered.
I had a fantastic support network but I never reached out, I struggled alone and that was beginning to show. I had a few close friends who I’d message but I never told them how I really felt. I lost over a stone in weight and I went off food completely, I was making myself poorly. But who was to know that I was feeling like this?
I was the class clown and just put on a brave face.... so long as I was laughing and making others happy, they’d never know that I was at a point that I actually didn’t want to be here anymore.
I made some decisions and they have been life changing, as cliché as you think that is. They haven’t been HUGE life changes but added together I am on a new healthier path.
My new ride Brian aka Princess Brian was found through Facebook when I put a post up asking if anyone had something I could ride, his owners messaged me and I went to meet him... I have to say (as stupid as it sounds) I fell in love as soon as I saw him.
We’ve had our communication errors and our arguments but we have also now started to click, I know in the beginning I was rushing to have what I had with Ali... so much so that I just assumed Brian would just jump as I asked without building a foundation of trust. Which wasn’t fair on him or me, but after taking a look at myself, I slowed down my expectations of him and me... and now we are working amazing together.
We get placed at most shows, we’ve qualified for National Championships and he’s a happy little bean.
Just having a horse that you can put your full focus on can genuinely make everything feel ok again, I love that little beast and we’ve only been a partnership for about 6 months.
I’m really looking forward to the summer season on him, and I can’t wait to see how it goes.
I think the aim of this blog is to tell you all that it will all be ok in the end, talk to your friends and your family - that’s what they are here for, you’ll feel much better. Just don’t struggle alone, if you don’t feel like you can’t talk to people close to you, then I can make myself available for you; just send me a message. It’s ok to not be ok, and make sure you do look after you... there’s only one of you, and sometimes you need to realise how loved you really are.
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I drove as fast as a could (not over 74 mph as my van has a speed limiter on it *sigh), so I managed to get to Gloucestershire for my first pee stop before hitting the road again. The other girls were already waiting at the hotel and I needed to hurry myself up so we could all eat!
Literally driving on the M5 is the most surreal thing ever, especially when you’re a country bumpkin and used to country roads!!
Anyhow, I got there just after 20.00 and I finally got to meet the other members of #TeamEquissimo who I talk to most days but never actually seen in real life so that was something pretty special. They are just as weird face to face as they are online
I think the excitement of seeing new products and meeting with directors of companies is what I like the most.
My favourite part was meeting with House Of Montar as I’ve heard so much about their bridles and leather work. Too actually touch the leather and feel the quality is just something else, I’m quite the sceptic at times but I can genuinely say that they are absolutely beautiful quality.
I’m a huge Montar fan and most of my equestrian outfits will include at least one item of theirs, so to see what I could possibly be buying for the up and coming season filled me with a lot of happiness.
There’s a lot to look at up there so you do need to give yourself plenty of time, and remember to take a bag as you’re guaranteed to pick up a lot of freebies!!
The hardest part is not being able to buy anything on the day, and having to wait months for it to be released
Today we attempted a derby at Colraine EC which had the most perfect weather today ☀️
We did the first class as we still don’t know each other that well and with over 18 jumping efforts to contend with I decided that would be the class most suited for us.
Winnie was rather keen and very forward going but didn’t particularly want to jump out of the arena from sand to grass at jump 6 but she then jumped from stand still and rolled a pole so we got 4 faults there. We carried on through the devils dyke and then back on sand for a couple more fences. We were then again faced with another fence (fence 10) from sand to grass which we took 3 attempts at before getting over.
Then it was up hill over another upright before the dreaded bank! Winnie wasn’t too thrilled about going down but after a couple of looks and a sniff she slowly went down it, we were then faced with an upright with a water tray right at the bottom of the bank which unfortunately got us eliminated.
All in all that little unicorn tried her heart out and the things she said ‘no’ too were genuine questions that I wasn’t quick enough to give an answer too.
Thank you L.W Equestrian Events for a very well ran show!
It’s weird riding something else as The Baked Bean is a lot smaller and they both ride completely different so please excuse my position in some of the clips/pics 🙈
Anyhoo, she has jumped a lot higher than what I’ve jumped her today and she is also used to a more experienced rider so I wasn’t reeeeeally sure how it was going to go (especially without Laura her owner there)! She jumped beautifully and admittedly we did knock a few poles in the beginning as I was riding like a turd 🙄 but I got my lady balls and we jumped some bigger fences. I’m excited about competing her and getting her fitter!
I’ve made a short video below which involves no talking or anything fancy 🙈 because I’m lazy and my face is minging 🤓
Oh yeh she also has poop stains on her... I don’t think I’m mentally prepared to ride a grey 🙄 that’s why I’ve always had bays or chestnuts 🤣 #TooLazyForAGreyPony
Winnie the Unicorn! 🦄 Excuse the height of the jumps 🙈 it’s the first time I’ve sat on her!
I met her today and she’s going to be another competition horse along side Harry 😍
We aren’t sure how long the partnership will last as she miiiiight be going up for sale in the future
I’m rather excited!! Thank you Laura for letting me ride her
I met with The Baked Bean’s owner and we went for some Show Jumping practise at Knightswood Stud and Equestrian Centre.
I was bricking it, I’m not going to lie... I’ve only really jumped Harold less than a handful of times AND I’ve not jumped a course since April!
We started off at about 70cm and then Amy popped them up to 80 with fillers... we then completed that.
We then had a swap and we whacked the fences up so Amy could have a go, I liked the look of one particular 90 fence so we had another jockey swap.
Once I got on, I felt a bit sick 🤣🙈 as I’ve not jumped 90 for about 4 months! Anyways Harry absolutely cleared it, it wasn’t a problem at all for him... it’s all in my bloody head.
Amy then suggested that we popped it up to a 95 and we flew it!
And then WE JUMPED 1METRE!!!! 😱😱
Yes I am aware that it’s only ONE fence and doesn’t really count for much, but on the inside I’m like a little happy firework that’s broken through the confidence barrier, I can’t wait to be back to my old self!
I’ve not jumped 1m since the BRC Championships in September! So I kinda felt a bit emotional after 🙈
It’s ridiculous how being out of the circuit can really knock your confidence, this time last year I was popping 1.10! Now a 90 scares the pants off of me.
Thank you Amy for the confidence boost and helping me find my ladyballs again!
He doesn’t have any niggles (not that we thought he did).
I finally caught up with Harold’s owner face to face as we’ve not actually seen each other in about 2 months 🤣
Anyhooooo, We are going to have a play at Knightswood on Tuesday to get a little bit of show jumping under our belt 🙌🏼
Happy Friday Y’all
I’ve not competed since April and it’s really really reeeeally starting to get me down, I was all set to go competing with the Baked Bean yesterday BUT the show was cancelled due to the rain 🙈
I think I’m struggling with the fact I can’t just jump straight into where I left off, I’m starting again with a brand new partnership and if I’m brutally honest, I’ve lost all of my confidence. The thought of jumping 90-1m literally makes me want to poop my pants and if you know me, you’ll know that I’m not a wimp and that I wouldn’t normally think twice about jumping anything 😬
I feel so out of practice and I don’t even know if I can remember how to see a stride, how to sit or what position I need to be in.
Yes this bit of a moany post but it’s truthful and it’s how I’m feeling about things at the moment. I’m very grateful that I’ve been given the opportunity to ride the beautiful Harry and I know this feeling will pass, I just needed to get it out there.
Anyhow, Happy Monday peeps! I’ve enjoyed reading everyone else’s competitions write ups 😊 it’s lovely to see my friends/team members/online pals doing so well
“What’s you’re most thoughtful inspiration to ride?”
It was quite a thought provoking question but I took the time to reflect on my own experiences...
]]>We have successfully accomplished our first ever show Jumping lesson!
I am literally BEAMING from ear to ear, and I’m so happy that I didn’t end up on the floor .
Harry Heinz was an absolute diamond and he didn’t really mind that an absolute out of practice goon was on his back!
It’s amazing how 8 weeks without jumping properly can really mess you up, I forgot where to put my hands, my shoulders, my arse but after a few pops I finally got it back.
What I found the most difficult is how different to Ali he is, not only have I lost my confidence, I’m almost learning it all again but this time on a completely new horse. This is the first time we’ve jumped properly and it could’ve gone completely wrong, but it didn’t, I remembered that I’m not a bleddy wuss.. and I wore my lady balls again!
Hopefully next time we can up the ante and get working on the height
Thank you Becky for kicking my arse today, I can’t wait until the next one... hopefully by then I’ll remember what left and right is
Now I’ve had a proper little play I’m even more excited about getting out on a courses
He was such a star and I literally can’t wait to get out and about on him! And OMG on Wednesday we are having our first ever Jumping lesson and to say I’m excited is an understatement!!
I’m so looking forward to getting out and about on the Baked Bean especially because he’s coming home next week
]]>I was in the saddle by 9am to miss the heat but I didn’t dodge those pesky fecking horseflies and I’ve had my thigh savaged!
I took The Baked Bean aka Harry aka Harry Heinz aka Harold for our first hack and then I had a little jump on him in the Sandschool. It was nothing big but we are still getting to know each other.
He was AMAZING, I’m really really really loving the fact that every time I ride him I start to love him a little bit more.
I’m so excited about competing him and I feel so lucky that I met him and his owner Amy 🧡
Today I went to see the Baked Bean and had a full on flat work lesson with Becky at TB Equestrian, literally it just felt amazing!
What I’m REALLY enjoying is that I don’t know Harry at all, like, I’ve ridden him what... 5 times in total; so I’m loving the fact that we are learning about each other at the same time. I can already feel a bond beginning to grow with him and I can’t wait to sit on him again.
I’ve never really been interested in flatwork but I actually enjoyed it today, I felt a huge sense of achievement and I am beaming from ear to ear 😁
There was only a little bit of pain in my ankle so I could really push myself today and just forget about my injury, it was also a good chance to test of my House of Montar Rebel riding tights and they were super comfy! They kept my legs cool too which was a bonus as it was proper humid today!
Tomorrow I’m going up to hack him out which I can’t wait to do as I’ve not ever ridden him outside of a sand school!
#teamequissimo
I popped up to see the Baked Bean today and I managed to have a play (nothing too extravagant as my ankle wouldn’t allow it )
I need to lose my showjumper legs and work on trying to be a bit more dressagey yes those words did just come out!
He felt AMAZING! The guys at TB Equestrian are literally fantastic and I can’t believe the difference in Harry in just a couple of weeks.
I can’t wait to have another sit on him and start to create our little partnership
We all have our experiences in life and everyone’s is different. I came out in my late teens and it was no real surprise to anyone. I think my family knew before I did 🤷🏼♀️ I was never a girly girl, I was always climbing trees and had mostly male friends. I was on a dog walk with my mum when I told her, and she was like ‘Yeh I know’. I don’t think anyone can understand how much pressure you put on yourself or how courageous you have to be to admit something and verbalise it to others for the first time.
Thankfully my family and friends were (and still are) AMAZING, and not one person got offended by it, not even my 97 year old great gran. So when people say ‘They don’t like it because it’s a generation thing’... it’s a load of twaddle, they are just closed minded.
I did the whole ‘straight’ life during my secondary school years and I had a fair few boyfriends but I knew deep down that it wasn’t right for me. I even used the excuse of being a vegetarian to not kiss one boyfriend as he just ate a beef burger
I had no reason not to come out but you never know how it’ll be received by others, it’s one hell of a thing to try to hide.
It’s not deemed as ‘horsey’ to be gay, and it can almost be frowned upon at times. I don’t throw my sexuality around and I’m not sure how many of you guys know (well you will now).
I do hide it at times, and I try to watch what I say and I find it hard to compliment other women as I fear that they will take things the wrong way.
I can’t say it’s something I’m ‘proud’ of, as it’s not an achievement or an award, it’s not even a choice... BUT I am thankful that I am here today, as there are a lot of people in this world where being their true self is not acceptable and they have lost their lives through suicide, so thank you to everyone who’s supported me along the way of my little gay life!
Being gay isn’t anything to be ashamed of, even though some people have a habit of making you feel that way. I remember people not wanting to get changed in front of me - just in case I fancied them - you know, because when you’re a lesbian or bi you cleeeearly fancy every woman you look at.
I feel incredibly supported and accepted in my little horsey community, but believe me... it’s not easy writing this as I have no idea how it’ll go down BUT it’s all about awareness and making people realise that your sexuality doesn’t define you, it’s not the only thing about you and if people don’t accept you... then that’s their problem and narrow mindedness.
I’m hoping sharing my experience will allow others to live the lives they want, and I want people to know that’s it’s ok to not ‘fit’ in to society.
So there you have it... it’s important to talk and I’m offering myself out there to people if you need someone to talk to, as I understand what it’s like to have a battle in your own mind. 🏳️🌈😘
]]>I will be sharing him with his owner and I can’t wait for our season to start
]]>As it stands, the decision is to turn Ali away for the rest of the summer and let him have a happy early retirement.
I’m devastated but I feel that’s what is best for Ali.
He’s given me the best couple of seasons, he even gave me the opportunity to compete at the BRC National Show Jumping Championships last year, which I’ll always thank him for as I know that may not ever happen again.
Thank you all for being so kind and I apologise if I’m not as active for the next few weeks.
Ok soooo I’ve been waiting to give Brian (Ali’s owner) this drawing for aaaaages! But I got injured so I hadn’t been able to get to the yard, well today I took it up there and it was literally everything I could ask for
Thank you so much Laura Mary Art for capturing Ali so perfectly, and making our part gift such a special one
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As you know (because I’ve mentioned it 100000 Times) Ali has been off through injury so today we attempted our first course in 4 months 🙈
We went in the 70 as it is Colraine Equestrian Centre and they do build up to height, I’m glad I stuck with my decision because the 80 would’ve been far too much so early on as we rattled a fence or two.
It was single phase which was even better as I am pretty rubbish at remembering a #jumpoff
Anyhow... I went through most of the morning with my stomach contents in my mouth and the shakes to go with it, after having a break from competing really does quite knock your confidence!
Off to get warmed up and had the obligatory bucks etc etc etc, then went down to wait for our turn.
We are called in and my heart rate went from 63 to 128 (I had my Fitbit UK & Ireland on just too see what would happen and how nerves affect your HR) 🙈
#Buzzzz goes the bell and we are off, Ali was literally back to his old self, it’s like he has never been away! We rattled a fence or two BUT they stayed up, we then finished our timed section in 37 secs 😁
We waited for the results and we got a lovely red frilly 🥇❤️ at least we know so far Ali hasn’t lost his #mojo
It was also the first time competing in my sparkly new House of Montarjacket which was a Christmas gift from Equissimo 🖤 it’s super comfy and I hope it keeps being our good luck charm! Get yours here
Yesterday the very wonderful Vicky Spinal-Therapy came out again and she has given Ali the ✨ALL CLEAR✨ to slowly start coming back into work!
I CANNOT recommended her enough and without her over the last 2-3 months I genuinely think Ali and I would’ve been put into early retirement.
Her professionalism and knack to everything that she does it’s just amazing.
Ali loves his ‘Aunty Vicky’ visits, sometimes a bit too much and he gives her a little nibble!
It’s been a long road and we’ve still got a long way to go but hopefully we can get back to where we were.
So watch this space 🤞🏼 Fingers crossed we will be up and running in January for the 2018 season
Yesterday I had my first EVER sit in an actual dressage saddle 😍
Julie from Chytan Horses put me through my paces and gave me a flatwork lesson on ChyMay, every part of the seat felt completely unnatural to me and the ‘show jumper’ kept creeping out! My feet felt so far away from my body and where were the wings and poles??!
We did was serpentines, 20m, 10m circles and a cantering.... I then decided to work on trotting and halting with no Stirrups as part of #NoStirrupNovember 🤣🤣 it was rather entertaining
It’s amazing how you realising how you lack confidence in yourself in disciplines, throw me at a 4ft show jump or XC fence and I’d happily kick on and get over it, but flatwork makes me feel like I have no idea what I’m doing or how to ride at all! I would most definitely want to work on it a bit more... and friends that know me will be rather shocked to hear this 🙈🙊
It’s also safe to say I’m incredibly flatwork unfit and stairs are my enemy today! Who needs a gym huh?!?
🖤
It was a corker of a night with plenty of laughs!! I even wore a dress and heels, I (un)fortunately didn’t get any evidence of it!
Ali and I were awarded the ‘Best Show Jumping Horse’ trophy 🖤 it was a lovely surprise to a jam packed season, I can’t wait to take it to the yard and show him 😍
Thank you Newquay RC for giving us a huge high after the past month and a half of injury.
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As you know Ali is off on rest so I’ve been riding ChyMay owned by Julie Watts, we’ve only been show jumping once and never been XC together until today!
Holy Moses! Didn’t she give me a ride today! We were a little slow in the show jumping as it’s the first time I’ve jumped her on grass 🙈 we managed to roll a pole and got 2 time faults...
We then stormed into the XC course and jeeeeesus that mare knows her job!
She absolutely flew round but unfortunately we had a slip at the ski slope which was downhill, this caused us to almost slide past the fence on our bottoms!! We represented to the fence and then carried on, jumping the rest clear and in a very fast time too!
As a team we got 3rd place!! I’ve had the most amazing day and I’m so thankful that May looked after me so well 🖤 thank you Julie for letting me ride such a beauty.
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