Cool! It's not the highest fence ever, but it does look like I know what I'm doing. Although I'm thinking that my left shoulder's dipping down a bit. And that my elbows are sticking out. So that's himself, anyway, Mr Smartypants, His Bolshiness, the one and only Rebel. I know, he's handsome, that's why he …
Using Yer Head
AND NOT TO BREAK A FALL, EITHER It looked to be one of those days that would find us all lashed into the indoor— low, low cloud, high, high winds. Somehow, by the time we'd gotten up the mountain, all seemed, if not calm, then contained. Only three of us in the lesson. Outstanding. We …
‘YEAH!’
WHO KNEW? It didn't look to be an especially exciting hour. Late arrivals and a general feeling of chaos as untried riders joined the lesson, and some n00bs were mounted on unfamiliar horses. We trotted and trotted, and I reckoned, well, a good sweat is a good thing. I cannot sing the praises of the …
I Love Rebel—Again!
HERE'S WHY I approached Rebel's stable with intent— in the main, to see how the haircut was coming along. His head was in his feeder, and he was munching away, and I said, 'Hey, Reb! How's the—' and was shocked to see his head come flying up. I didn't think I was that loud. Hmm. …
Let’s Sing a Song of Three
HOW MANY IS THREE? Three of us in the car on the way to the yard. Lainie had pony camp this past week, and I fired questions at her, left, right, and centre. She had brought her rosette, awarded from their end-of-pony-camp show. I squeal and examine it closely. We are both delighted. Loraine, who …
Be Careful What You Wish For
I reached my arm around the edge of the door of the indoor arena. The goal: to sneak a peek at the list for the ride. Emma would probably scold me if she saw me at it, but she was busy with the noobs, and I had a feeling.... I had a feeling. I edged …
85cms High and Rising
'Well done!' calls Sharon, as Rebel and I canter back to join the ride. We'd just taken a straight, looked like it was about 60cms [1.9 feet]. Funny. I'd just been thinking that I didn't have a notion what I was doing. By that I mean, I can't describe it in words. Someone in another …
Fall the Seventh
I AM A RIDER What a day. It’s exactly the kind of day that causes Dubliners to remark to one another, known and unknown: ‘What a day!’ Bright, clear, bluest sky, the sun with some heat still in it, but the breath of a nip in the air. Simply gorgeous. Add to this the fact …
Fall the Sixth
SEPTEMBER 2007 We’re jumping a course. A course! It’s my second one, and I. Love. It. I’m on Delilah, and she’s not crazy about the sand arena, it's hard on her and therefore it’s harder for me to keep my arse in the saddle in the canter. But we’re going great guns the second time …
Gran Feckin’ Prix, Baby!
DECEMBER 2006 ‘Anybody ever jumped before?’ Are you kidding me? It’s December, the middle. I have been riding for… thirteen weeks? Twice a week now since the middle of November so that’s more like sixteen weeks if you count the other days as weeks, as one lesson per week, and— oh, stop it. I’m still …
MANY BRAVE FOOLS 