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"
20 Things I Learned From Starting Eventing Ireland
Always watch the 1 and 2* riders XC. No one gets it right every time but their ability to handle what comes up is what counts and gets them around. There was me having an asthma attack in case I got the wrong stride at a log when I saw someone get no stride atContinue reading "20 Things I Learned From Starting Eventing Ireland"
Product Review – Horseware Riding Tights from Horseworldeu.com
I was recently chosen to be part of a group of bloggers asked to review products by Horseworld (horseworldeu.com). As part of the group I was asked to choose products from the website to use and review. We were given a huge range of choices but I wanted to make sure I reviewed something thatContinue reading "Product Review – Horseware Riding Tights from Horseworldeu.com"
People You Will Meet When Using an Arena
When you are riding by yourself with other people in the arena.... These are the other riders you can often meet..... The Magnet It doesn’t matter how big the arena is or how much you try to ride exercises and movements in your own space – the magnet will gravitate towards you and stick toContinue reading "People You Will Meet When Using an Arena"
If Horses could text us – travelling in the horsebox
I've been having great fun with the TextingStory app - here is a video I made earlier based on what I reckon it would be like if Sammy could text me en route 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBrfrsyXGRc
13 Ways To Annoy Your Riding Instructor
1.Being Stirrupy Mcstirrups Checking your stirrups before you ride, changing them after warm up, changing them before you jump – this is all grand and expected. Turning in in a group lesson sixteen bajillion times to change them though – no, just no. 2. Being consistently late Everyone can be late on occasion or exceptionalContinue reading "13 Ways To Annoy Your Riding Instructor"
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"
Things you should know before having dressage lessons
Get used to being on a circle. You won’t be moving sideways at the greatest of ease any time soon. The circle is your friend, embrace the circle. Don’t go large around the arena – this does not go down well. If you have enough grasp of spatial relations to be able to ride aContinue reading "Things you should know before having dressage lessons"
Equestrian Reality 