Things Only Equestrian Women Will Understand

How make up is never really ‘stay all day’ or ‘budge proof’ unless it doesn’t rub off your forehead after wearing a hat and can withstand twelve hours of mud, wind and lashing rain. Extra marks if it stays on after you get a branch to the face on a hunt.Having no sympathy for someoneContinueContinue reading “Things Only Equestrian Women Will Understand”

Things No Horse Owner Has Said, Ever

“Ah sure one horse is more than enough for me” “I was too busy cleaning the house to go up to the horse” “Why would I need more than one habit I can only wear one at a time anyway” “No, really, I don’t need another saddle cloth / rug / bridle / saddle /ContinueContinue reading “Things No Horse Owner Has Said, Ever”

A Ladies Guide to Preparing To Hunt Side Saddle in Ireland

The first step is to prepare to ride side saddle in general and you can find a guide to this here. Once you have mastered the bar stool and ridden side saddle on an actual horse without face planting it is time to start preparation for hunting side saddle in Ireland. Once Autumn hits everyoneContinueContinue reading “A Ladies Guide to Preparing To Hunt Side Saddle in Ireland”

Things I Learned Riding Side Saddle at Ballyduff & Mount Juliet

Never take the p*ss out of a side saddle instructor online before she gives you a lesson. You will regret it!   If you don’t know much about wine its fair enough to judge and choose a bottle by name – who could say no to a glass of antares?   Always pack muscle gelContinueContinue reading “Things I Learned Riding Side Saddle at Ballyduff & Mount Juliet”

Medicinal Irish Hot Whiskey Recipe

So I spent most of last week working from bed dying slowly and loudly with what has been dubbed ‘that awful dose going round’. On Wednesday evening my head was completely blocked up and as I am allergic to anything containing pseudoephedrine there was only one thing for it – a medicinal hot whiskey. MyContinueContinue reading “Medicinal Irish Hot Whiskey Recipe”

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”

Hunting In Ireland – Phrases & Terms

 “Irish Hunting Cob” = comfortable square shaped horse with a short thick neck and a big shoulder. Usually feels like a couch, moves like a tank and jumps whatever is in front of it. May be hogged (mane shaved off) so a ‘Jesus strap’ may be needed  “Jesus Strap” = neck strap of a runningContinueContinue reading “Hunting In Ireland – Phrases & Terms”

F**k It – I’m Taking Up Chess!

I say this at least once a week. In the past it has been due to a variety of reasons from having a toenail removed by a hoof to getting caught in lashing rain at shows while a pony delightedly refused to load. Last week it was having to traipse around a field to catchContinueContinue reading “F**k It – I’m Taking Up Chess!”

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”

Grand Day for a Spot of Side Jockeying!

Ah I love my dad. He is a legend with his own distinctive way with words. He has in the past coined phrases such as ‘eyes like two p*ss holes in the snow’ (used to describe a pale person with small dark eyes) and ‘ah jaysus the Longford black’ (used to describe someone who hasContinueContinue reading “Grand Day for a Spot of Side Jockeying!”