A few months back a company contacted me by email to ask if I would write about their product. I told them the same thing I would tell any company in the same position – if you want to send on a product I will happily give a full and honest review but my opinionContinue reading “Quick Knot – or not?”
Category Archives: Showing
Competition nerves and Winning Against Worrying
My anxiety around competition was never really just about competition. It was a fear of the unknown, of lack of control, of new things. It started when I was a small child and if I was anxious about something I would feel sick and nervous. Things like exams, trying new things, bus trips. Over timeContinue reading “Competition nerves and Winning Against Worrying”
Making A Show Of Yourself Part 3 – Class Format
Format of a ridden flat class All riders enter on right rein in walk. Steward will instruct to trot on and canter on in a group. Steward will ask to come back to trot and change the rein. Steward will ask for canter on other rein and steward will invite to extend canter / gallopContinue reading “Making A Show Of Yourself Part 3 – Class Format”
Making a Show of Yourself Part 2 – Tack & Turnout
Rider Turnout Aim to look professional, tidy and workmanlike. Footwear – Adults long leather boots. (leather short boots and gaiters may be permitted, check rules of class). Adults cannot show in short boots only. Children under 12, short boots with jod clips. Children over 12, as per adults. Have your groom wipe your boots beforeContinue reading “Making a Show of Yourself Part 2 – Tack & Turnout”
Making A Show Of Yourself – Part 1 – Types of ridden showing classes
This series is based on a guide I drew up a few years ago ahead of a clinic I delivered to novice adults and children. There are a wealth of showing experts out there and I will not pretend to know as much nor more than any of them. This guide is not intended forContinue reading “Making A Show Of Yourself – Part 1 – Types of ridden showing classes”
2015 – Show Horse to Dressage Horse
In 2013 and 2014, Dolly the big chestnut mare and I focused on and achieved many goals in the show ring. We had not achieved what I hoped we could in dressage and given my passion for dressage this always frustrated me. I had performed well on ponies before but Dolly and I alwaysContinue reading “2015 – Show Horse to Dressage Horse”
The Best Thing I Never Said
“You see what it is, I see what it was” I was having a whinge about the horse not going well one day. My coach said this to me and I thought it was a very eloquent way of reminding me of how far I had come when I was lamenting how far I had still to go.Continue reading “The Best Thing I Never Said”
Getting Into the Heart of Side Saddle
Felicity and I were meant to be together. I first met her on the side of a road when I collected her and another saddle off her owner to bring her to be used on a horse at a side saddle camp a friend had organised. I knew sweet FA about side saddles at theContinue reading “Getting Into the Heart of Side Saddle”
To Compete, Perchance to Win. Ladies Side Saddle Returns to the 2014 RDS Dublin Horse show
When the ladies side saddle class returned to the show ring in the 2014 RDS Dublin Horseshow it was not filled with professional riders on professional show horses. Instead the ring was filled with a variety of horses and riders that served as a beautiful demonstration of versatility. The majority of these riders were notContinue reading “To Compete, Perchance to Win. Ladies Side Saddle Returns to the 2014 RDS Dublin Horse show”
Side Saddle Makeup Unveiled
When some of the side saddle ladies including Ciara my side saddle friend and mentor recently declared that lipstick for side saddle showing should not be red, I was relieved. I have nothing against red lipstick but it simply doesn’t suit me. I either end up looking like a child in their parents make upContinue reading “Side Saddle Makeup Unveiled”
Equestrian Reality 