Conversations through the middle

Getting closer

September 20, 2009

We went into the school tonight – a bit of walk and trot, nothing more as with the jumps up there’s not enough room to canter, not for me anyway.

Afterwards we headed off down the lane. After his recent nappiness I was apprehensive as to whether or not we’d make it past the yard. Sure enough, John planted his feet and refused to move forwards. It was tea time and he was making sure I knew he knew it.

Efforts to persuade him forwards resulted in him going backwards, turning and going backwards some more. Words of encouragement from friends at the yard couldn’t quell my nerves at what he was doing, but with their support I actually eventually succeeded in getting the stubborn old so-and-so to move forwards. And I was still in the saddle!!

When he finally conceded I was in charge (this time) we walked off down the lane accompanied by an understanding friend for moral support. We progressed further than we’d ever gone before – twice – as we came back and did the whole thing again. And there were no shenanigans this time. Success! We are almost ready to embark on a hack proper I think.

Age is a state of mind

September 19, 2009

What happened? Last time I looked I was 20, then I blinked and somehow I have arrived at the startling age of 45, not knowing how I got here. Thank goodness that being 45 today is not the same as it was – it’s the new 25 don’t you know, or at least in my head it is. Which brings me nicely to my point – age is a state of mind. So, while my body might complain, creaking with odd twinges from time to time, my thoughts, feelings and emotions are the same as those of the 20-something girl I see when I look in the mirror, albeit with an added topping of maturity.

Beauty, fashion, music, friends and family are still as important to me as they ever were. I still get excited and nervous by new things, feel carefree on warm, sunny mornings and cry at sad stories (and even happy ones).

It matters to me how I feel and look – and when I look good, I feel confident. Obviously as far as hair and skincare goes, needs change over the years – I’ve moisturised religiously since I was 15 but baby lotion on my face just won’t cut it anymore! And as for some catwalk trends well, we’ll not even go there.

What I’m after are beauty products that suit my skin, makeup that complements my face and fashion that works with me rather than against me. I hope my blog is useful to other 40-somethings who are as shocked as I am at where the years have gone, but who feel exactly the same as they did before and still know how to enjoy every last drop of the fun that is life.

Horsing around…

March 1, 2009

At last, I’ve got round to starting my blog – and about time too. As a novice horse rider and first-time horse owner, I’ve been meaning to write about my wonderful and not-so-wonderful escapades with a thoroughly lovely Thoroughbred called John. Me! A girl from Windy Nook who never rode as a child, never even patted a horse, discovered a whole new life when I went for my first riding lesson five years ago. I’ve never looked back – I’ve looked up (from the ground), down (headed towards the ground), but never back…

John came into my life around four years ago and I’ve been his proud owner for more than three of those. Not the best horse for a nervous new starter, he is a prime example of his breed – spooky! Now I know that all horses can be spooky, but John well, he can suddenly take a dislike to a blade of grass blowing the wrong way and shoot off with me. Or the quad bike on the yard where he lives – he sees it every day, day in day out, sometimes several times a day, but that hasn’t stopped him from freaking out when he hears it in the distance, two fields away, when the mood takes him.

At one time his sudden darting off at high speed would also have me darting off at high speed – into the fence or onto the floor. Lately though, I’m happy to say I’m hanging on. I don’t have a velcro bum yet, far from it, but I am managing to stick on and ride the spook, even sometimes riding him through it and out the other end into an (almost) controlled canter.

Today we worked in the school, walk and trot. Though we did do some canter, accidentally, when he tripped over his foot and gave himself a fright. Oh well. Sometimes the best way to get over your canter nerves is for your horse to get over them for you and just take off with you. It wasn’t an all out spook this time though, he hardly picked up any speed and contented himself with his impression of a rocking horse.

Our aim for this summer is to trust each other enough to be able to hack out. He, I know, will be fine – his previous owner said he loved to hack out. The problem lies with me and my lack of confidence, I need to trust him more. Lucky for me he is a patient teacher and though I sometimes infuriate him with my lack of skill, I know that he knows that I will get there in the end…