About me and this Blog

I am a woman of a certain age who has finally been able to enjoy my love of horses Initially to ride them but as time has gone on I have learnt there is more to horses than riding them and want to share this with you.
Alison

I have 2 other blogs, feel free to browse,
i-clickphotos.blogspot.co.uk

you can follow me on Twitter @alisonbarton1

Monday 26 March 2012

Beginning again!

If I’m so crazy about horses now, didn’t I love them before? I am middle aged (and a bit) and I love riding so why aren’t I an Olympic champion by now? Well I should be right, but, no I am not, I am a middle aged Novice and here’s my tale.

I was smitten with Horses probably from birth well shortly afterwards then! I often dreamed my Dad would bring a lovely little pony home and pop it in our pocket sized garden. Of course it never happened but I did have my first ride quite young. I can remember I was about three or four on holiday camping in Scotland and the ponies were brought to the campsite early one morning. I was put on a small white Pony and no sooner was I on than I was off, sliding down his neck, as he grazed downhill. I was put back on but was off again as he went into a trot! So I was put on the back of my brother’s pony holding tight round his middle, he booted his steed into a trot and off I came again. This time no amount of coercion could get me back on.  There you are then game over, or so you would think but no, all through my childhood, I rode out on hacks snatched rides at farms even enjoyed donkey rides on the beach, but had no lessons.

For a short spell in my twenties I had sporadic lessons and slowly gathered boots, hat and “Jods”, but not a lot of technique or skill. Then work and family commitments grew, so no riding for ages and ages. I gave away my riding clothes and gave up hope of finding time to ride again.

Then all of a sudden I was an old gal retired with time on my hands. I didn’t think I could ride myself, being a bit stiff over weight and scared, so got a safe inoffensive, horse fix by helping out at the Forest RDA (riding for the disabled). All of a sudden leading the horses round wasn’t enough though, so last July I started lessons.  It hasn’t been a smooth ride to say the least and I have posted initial progress on my other Blog site    · http://cupofteaandachat.blogspot.com/      



But this is getting serious now and my equine adventures deserve their own special Blog also if you’re particularly interested in horses and riding you don’t particularly want to read my rants on NHS, Family life, renovating our cottage our dogs or walking in the forest.
I am not on my own, in being a late bloomer, a lot of us don’t have  the time or  the money  to ride when we are young it just so happens we have all the other things ie the energy strength, physique, flexibility and bounce  to do it well.

Now I have the time and enough money and I am determined to drag this middle aged body onto a horse and ride it well. I am interested in all the horsey things I can acquire to make me ride better (is that possible). I want to get fitter so I can ride longer, lighter and with more style. I am also interested in what others think and what other late bloomers experiences are, so tell me is it going smoothly for you?
Alison x

12 comments:

Jooles said...

Looks like you're doing fine so far. Well done for following your dream!

Anonymous said...

Just watched your 20m circle in canter. I've not cantered properly in ages. I was starting to get into it last year before my bad hack. I had a chat with the owner of where I ride at the weekend and she's helping me plan on getting back in to it.

I didn't start riding until late either, 34 I was. Its been 2 years now and I love it. x

Anonymous said...

Good for you!

lmel said...

You go girl! I had a very similar situation--loved horses, never got one, but spent my summers at a horse camp and rode year round at college. I finally broke out of the intermediate rut, but didn't ride much after college. 30 years later, I've got my first horse and I'm back in the saddle again. Yes, dropping weight definitely has helped me get better, and certainly time in the irons (and without the irons!) will make a big difference. Hang in there and enjoy!

Unknown said...

good luck and thanks for the reply I will read your next blog see how you get on

Unknown said...

thanks Kate

Unknown said...

thanks Imel I dream of being an intermediate x

Unknown said...

thanks Jooles

Unknown said...

Okay, I'm not exactly a late bloomer (I'm 17..) but I've always felt like I'm behind with my riding because I just can't afford the lessons (I'm slowly crossing over into intermediate). Seeing what you've done has really changed how I feel because (it feels like I'm stating the obvious but there we go) people have been telling me for years that I can get into riding and get a horse when I'm older and have a job that can pay for it etc, etc, but I've never really believed them. Reading your blog has reminded me of that and I'm finally starting to have a bit more faith in them. I just wanted to say thanks, really, and good for you!

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Cathy how lovely to read your comment, surprised you found this blog as its quite old now but guess what your response has inspired me to start writing it again. Whilst I am still riding and really enjoying it when Oscar was retired, see my last blog. I didn't feel I could add anything and lost my writing Mojo. However its about connecting isn't it and sharing with other like minded people and one thing a love of Horses does is breaks down all barriers re age and other things that get in the way of getting on together, my friends at the stables range from 16 to 64 in any other environment we wouldn't really spend time together. Thanks again Cathy and best of luck with your riding in future. Alison

Unknown said...

Thank you so much, good luck to you too and all the best for 2014 (it is the year of the horse after all!). Cathy