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