Recent content by calder

Thanks, that's interesting. I definitely see a pattern of schools closing after their owners retire - and I've seen this in a number of other labour-intensive small businesses. I'd fill out your survey if I was female, and therefore eligible! That's not at all a complaint - it's perfectly fine...

I had a pair of those in the 90s. I still ride in basic Gorringe jods - practical and cheap.

51-year old restarter here, trying to find time to ride alongside work and family responsibilities - I'm the only regular rider in my family, although missus and kid have ridden a number of times and I am hopeful of converting them so that it's something we can all do as a family. I've ridden...

I've enjoyed hearing your story, Joseph. I'm also a big guy, but have been able to ride off and on, depending on time, money, family and other constraints over the years. I'm now over 50 and still a novice despite having had a fair bit of saddle time over the years. I don't mind, as I have no...

This was actually done in a tongue and cheek way by David Nutt, who was the government's addiction chief about a decade ago. He was comparing the risks taking ecstasy to riding, arguing that both gave the "user" a lot of pleasure, but also came with risks. The risks of ecstasy and "equasy" - the...

Horsiness is something I’ve never been able to “solve” in my life. It’s been more like a process of discovery, from being a young adult to a middle-aged (very) occasional rider. While agreeing that it’s an addiction, I’ve never owned a horse and probably never will. I felt like I didn’t have the...

Riding school rider... although I'm not regularly riding at the moment for various reasons, which is one of the reasons that I appreciate the flexibility of being a school rider!

I'm a novice rider and have recently been offered the opportunity to help out with a friend of a friend's horses, perhaps in exchange for rides. What do people think 'helping out' usually includes? As an RS rider I have relatively little experience of yard work and horse care, although I usually...

I'm also an adult restarter, now down south (Oxfordshire), but I had lessons at South Causey a long time ago - even more than your 20 years, with the Newcastle University Riding Club. It's the other side of Newcastle from you, though, but maybe worth putting on your list - apart from anything...

I feel in a similar position. I also didn't grow up horsey; have had bouts of lessons as an adult; and have now been riding regularly (once a week) for just over three years. While I've progressed further than I ever have before, I don't know whether to call myself an advanced novice or an...

Anyone have a pair? How do you find them? Review

I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about what makes my current instructor so good. She has a genius for breaking things down; she is experienced but not jaded; and she is interested in her subject and in the learning process, to the extent that she appears to get genuine satisfaction from...

I won't be yelled at. I have no problem in being told what to do by a professional - in fact that's what I'm paying (quite a lot!) for, in particular given they are responsible for my and the horse's safety. There may be the odd occasion when it's necessary for a rider to react *now* but in my...

I was a little nervous, yes, but not as nervous as I was before committing to do it. At that time, I was unsure whether I was ready, but what gave me confidence was the fact that it was my (previous) instructor's idea. I'd asked her to set me a goal: she originally suggested a British Dressage...

Another new rider here - in fact I registered in order to add my experience to this excellent discussion. I've ridden on and off as an adult, having never done so as a child. I'm riding regularly at the moment, and in the last year have started entering Interdressage competitions. They are such...