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Since a very small child I have been in
love with horses. My favourite film at a very young age was Black
Beauty! So sad, but so happy at the ending! I would watch it constantly!
I did my fair share of adopting horses from the Essex Horse & Pony
Protection Society – my favourite being a white horse called Princess. I
volunteered to help out down there every Sunday, but after a couple of
weekends my family couldn’t take me down there anymore. However, any
chance I had on a Sunday, when they would open to the public I would beg
my Dad to take me on a Sunday afternoon!
As I got a bit older, I had to
make a decision – Horse Riding Lessons or Stage School? Well, I chose
Stage School and I did enjoy it, but now 8/9 years later, I wish I had
chosen the riding lessons!!! Lol
So a long story short, 9 years later –
I am back working with horses. Being a complete novice rider I am still
learning all the basics – but I am loving every minute of it!
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On a trip
to Ireland last November with my partner Richard, was when I really got
back into them. Richard’s uncle owns racehorses and he works at one of
the local stud farms, so I helped out a bit, went to the point-to-point
with his favourite up and coming racehorse called Don’t Leave Without Me
or what I called her - “Mimi” for short! She was such a stunning horse –
I fell in love with her fun nature and passion for everything fast!! |
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My second love for horses grew when I met Joey –
a friend of the family's
Hunter. He has such a kind temperament, and was just so sweet natured.
Loved to jump, hack and most importantly – loved the thrill of hunting!
As I watched them set off for their early morning Sunday hunt – I knew
that I wanted to have lessons and have that excitable feeling in my
tummy! |
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On our return to Surrey, I found ten addresses of my local riding
schools and set off on a mission to find one to suit me! I have been to
two different riding schools since November last year and they have both
brought my riding ability on really well. I am very confidant and love
both hacking and schooling! |
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However my real find was when I decided to
look for a horse to share, to learn more than just riding. After a few
hare raising trials on horses – where I was definitely not right for the
horse! I found out about the Holistic Horse & Pony Centre. There is
where I met the second man in my life – Tom!
A 16.1hh, chestnut, Irish
Sports horse, 23 years old with such a passion for life! I fell in love
immediately with Tom, the yard, the herd and all of the people down
there! |
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Tom has been out of work since Christmas, due to playing in the
field with his friends and pulling a ligament in his leg, however since
my arrival at the beginning of March he has been asking to get back in
to work. We have been taking it slow, getting to know each other and
easing Tom back to his fitness.
We are starting to make a real bond, and
I think we are getting to point where he knows my face and that I have a
pocket full of apples for him!!! |
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After sharing Tom for nine months, which I
loved every minute of it!, I felt that me and Tom could go no
further. Tom was unable to jump anymore and I felt that my
passion lay with jumping! So after spending a fortune on
horse mags looking in the "For Sale" sections, in August 2006 I
bought Gracia :-)
Gracia is a stunning 16'3 11 year old Dutch
Warmblood Mare who I am totally besotted with! We have a
had a great year of fully getting to know each other and how the
other one ticks! She can be a right little madam - but
then so can I!! I feel that now, after a year, we fully
respect each other and enjoy our time together.
On 28th July, 2007 - we entered
our first show jumping competition - which was absolutely
awesome! We came 6th, and I was so proud of my
baby girl! She thoroughly enjoyed herself and jumped like
a superstar! I am a very proud mummy and look forward to
many more exciting competitions in the years to come. |
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