JULY, 2007 I try another stable for a private lesson. I feel like I’m having an affair. ‘Pluto’ [names changed to protect the innocent and stubborn] is a strong, well-built cob. He had been taken in from the field directly into the lesson. Yeah, good idea. He takes a moment at M, every time we …
This is What Happens On Saturdays
OCTOBER 2006 I get up. I leave the flat in good time, to do some errands in town, maybe meet a friend for a cuppa, and eat [usually, unspeakably, to my abject horror, as if it’s beyond my control, at McDonalds] and in my morbid fear of missing the number 63 bus at 13.00, I …
Fall the Third
JUNE 2007 We’re out in the field, going over the cross country fences. Three in a row, Delilah loves it, loves being outside, she’s fast and it’s uphill over the tires, then a plank fence, then up and around to a log, maybe 30 cms, not much. We’re coming around, and she feels… sluggish? I …
Busted
LONDON Karen was saying wouldn't it be funny if my bag got searched in Gatwick, considering? 'Pardon me, Madam,' beamed the security dude. 'Would you mind terribly if I was to search your bag?' Bugger! I grimaced at him. 'I don't imagine I have much of a choice,' I 'laughed', and he 'laughed' and proceeded …
Just Because I Can
THE LAST MISSED SATURDAY OF 2007 Posting from Dublin Airport, in the shockingly revolting Ryanair wing, bracing myself for the riot to board the plane, off to London for the weekend. I will, of course, miss the horses tomorrow, but it's good to take a break, somewhat in the same way I've gotten better after …
Fall the Second
26 MAY, 2007 I’d had Tango once before, in a small class of only three. I got up, he immediately began stepping backwards. I’m trying to get the length of the leathers right— ‘Tango!’— I keep letting out the reins, kicking him on, he stops, I adjust a stirrup, he dances back. Bugger. We get …
Tues: No Sooze
WITH ALL DUE REZPECKT TO MR P CRAWLEY It's all material now, isn't it? Or, even better, fodder. Trying to 'schedule me', review-wise, for the Dublin Theatre Festival, Irish Theatre Magazine's online emperor Peter Crawley came up against my Hadrian's Wall of Tuesday Night. [I'm sure he can supply a better metaphor, in the comments, …
Is it Bullshit?
INSTALLMENT ONE The thing is, it can seem like bullshit, because I read the books, I’ve read all these books about the transcendence of horsewomanship, of the bond, of the communication, and here’s me, handed a school horse, told to get on, told to ride a twenty meter circle, a serpentine, a figure of eight, …
How Many Falls Make a Rider?
CATALOGUE OF FALLS Heidi said a hundred! But Sara was like, noooo— seven. Seven falls make a rider. I seem to remember coming across the number ten, on a horsey board on the internet… Gooooogle… hmm. Nothing. I’ll check again [I should really be working…]— ack, some nutter on Yahoo! Answers said 1,000! No way! …
Fall the First
CATALOGUE OF FALLS Thursday night lesson, outdoor arena. Beautiful evening, spring is sprung, golden light. Six are in the lesson. I’m on Delilah, Charlie is first, then Rebel, then us. Emma is making us trot large in jumping position. I’m trying to break the mane-grabbing habit, and we come around F and I’m shortening the …
MANY BRAVE FOOLS 