You've practiced your dogs leg and related distances and worked on your approach to the square oxer that you're sure you will meet at fence one. Show day and you arrive at the venue, park up, and walk the course. You walk the related distances, eyeball the seemingly ma-hoosive oxer at fence one - and … Continue reading Coping with Competition – Tips and Tales for Riders to Curb the Nerves
No poles, no markers, no circles, no serpentines. No jumps, no grids, no cavaletti. No one watching, no one to see. No judges or stewards, it's just my horse and me. You'll win no rosettes here, no sashes or prize. But something better awaits us, it's there in the skies. A sea breeze, open fields … Continue reading What it’s really about…
While the sun still sets and the tides they rise,The earth, it spins and the clouds roll by.The birds, they sing and the daffodils bloom,With the smell of spring, the summer, it looms.Yet here I am, trying to find words to sayA special thank you to those who feel miles away.They wear gowns of blue, … Continue reading The Cusp of a Wave
The responsibility and the invaluable life lessons learned; transferable to every aspect of life. The highs and the hardships.The falls, four faults and failures.The tears, the aches, the pain of disappoint; softened by the laughter of the good days. The clear rounds, the high scores, that feeling of elation on the cross country course. The … Continue reading All Because of Horses
"The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul." The photo that inspired it all.10 years ago on a stormy January Sunday with my original seahorse, Solas.Day 19 of the @rivieraprltd #trotinto2020 January challenge is a #socialsunday - what inspires your social media page?I can't explain it but there … Continue reading What inspires you?
𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Learning is a treasure that will follow you everywhere - as long as you are open to it. Last week while I was away for work I caught up on the latest Equi Ratings Eventing Podcast on the topic of Horsemanship. The episode included BHS Fellow, Eric Smiley, and event rider Andrew Nicholson. In … Continue reading Wednesday Wisdom – Horsemanship
Sometimes we just need some Vitamin Sea. With work being so busy, and having very few weekends off for shows and lessons, I've resolved myself to the fact that this summer is just going to to be about enjoying my horses and having a little fun. I struck lucky last week with my two days … Continue reading Beach Ballet with the Golden Oldie
I first came across Hogweed many years ago when my little palomino Solas developed thick blisters on the pale skin of his nose. Initially I assumed he was suffering from sunburn and proceeded to smother his pink skin in sun screen, as any good horse mom would. However, the blistering didn't stop. Watching him in … Continue reading Hogweed and Horses
I have two veteran horses - but you wouldn't know it by looking at them! Seventeen year old Giselle is generally a good grubber but she can be fussy. Twenty-one year old, Solas, is a glutinous gelding, who would eat all around him given the opportunity. He once robbed a ham salad sandwich from my … Continue reading What’s in the feed?
Dressage was coming. The Wild Atlantic Dressage Festival, that is - and seeing as I was helping with the promotion of the event, I set myself a the goal of rejoining Dressage Ireland, competing at the festival and riding a novice test for the first time. For many, this isn't a big deal, but for me, … Continue reading Enter at… Aye? Our Wild Atlantic Dressage Experience.
