“So, How Did You Get On?”

Shows in general: “He / She was BRILLIANT” = I was sadly not that brilliant and we did not place hence the lack of any other details  “Just a few problems” =  It didn’t go well and I don’t want to go into details. In fact I want to go home and eat my ownContinueContinue reading ““So, How Did You Get On?””

The Big Orange Train Rides Again and Other Stories

  So about a week and a half ago the orange train and I headed off on another side saddle adventure, one I had been looking forward to for weeks. Ciara O’Connell (this lady: http://sidesaddleciara.wordpress.com/) had organised for a group of us to travel back to Ballyduff House near Thomastown in Kilkenny to avail ofContinueContinue reading “The Big Orange Train Rides Again and Other Stories”

Crosse-ing The Line – A Polocrosse Adventure

2013 has been a year of adventures with friends old and new. This continued last night when we travelled to Carrickmines Equestrian Centre to have a go at Polocrosse. Now I knew very little about polocrosse before last night but I knew it involved going fast on a horse and using a racket so thatContinueContinue reading “Crosse-ing The Line – A Polocrosse Adventure”

Things I Learned Last Week

– Never underestimate the terror a small pig who is innocently minding his own business can strike into a horse fifty times its size and on the other side of a fence#  – Never try to catch a horse when you are in a hurry. They know, they always bloody know  – Unless you enjoyContinueContinue reading “Things I Learned Last Week”

A Ladies Guide to Preparing to Ride Side Saddle

I was asked earlier today by a rider if there were any exercises she could to prepare for riding in a side saddle lesson. Having only recently converted to the sideways side I thought it was only fair to share my experience and what I learned in those valuable first few weeks.   Phase 1ContinueContinue reading “A Ladies Guide to Preparing to Ride Side Saddle”

Oops….I Did It Again

  I went to the RDS Dublin Horse Show last week which can only mean one thing, well two things. 1. Cups of strawberries covered in chocolate (which ends up with me covered in chocolate) and 2. Shopping. Last week in an attempt to control myself I set myself a very specific short list ofContinueContinue reading “Oops….I Did It Again”

A Week of Firsts

  “Feel the fear and do it anyway” isn’t that what they say? Well I can safely say I managed to accomplish that this week. My arms might be two inches longer than they were before (unfortunately not my legs!) but I am still in one piece and haven’t sprained my Jennifer muscle too badly.ContinueContinue reading “A Week of Firsts”

What Showing Class should I enter?

I get asked this a lot when it comes to riding horse and hunter classes. The following diagram might help…..  

Things I Learned At The Festival

  Always pack suncream, shorts, an umbrella and water proofs because if it the weather is not lashing rain and baltic it will be tropical! Wearing a top hat one size too small for your head in 30 degree heat may not be the best idea… and no the hat will not stretch to fitContinueContinue reading “Things I Learned At The Festival”

From Clueless to Competing – my side saddle adventure so far

  Very recently I asked the ladies on a very helpful Facebook page how long it would take before side saddle would feel ‘normal’. There was a reason behind this question as my first side saddle showing class was just over a week away and I was at the time trotting like a drunk onContinueContinue reading “From Clueless to Competing – my side saddle adventure so far”