How many of you returned to riding after 20+ years?

[Hal1k1]

Yes I am proud to put my hand up and say I had a gap of 30 years until i returned to riding.
What have been your best and if you are not to embarassed to say worst moments?

 

[*hic*]

I had a gap of 25 years. I just wish I could get back the confidence I had when I re-started riding!

 

[reddie]

I returned to riding just under 20 years gap, does that count? I started well for the first four years, hacking, schooling, showjumping in local shows. Then i had a series of falls which gradually zapped my confidence and i sold up. Am still nterested inhorses but no great desire to rde atm but who knows in the future!!

 

[Vixen Van Debz]

My gap's only been 10 years, but I thought I'd join in anyway. I'm interested what everyone else's best/worst moments are!

My best moments have been feeling like I'm flying over 80cm jumps (which I could never had one 10 years ago - I now have more confidence than I ever thought possible) and generally riding outdoors, the sun on my back, the wind in my hair, and the river glistening beside me. It's such a beautiful experience 80)

My worst moment was falling off the boring, sensible pony that never misbehaves in my second lesson... twice. The first was the worst: while I was mounting and he stepped sideways. I had an audience of 3, and injured myself badly enough that I couldn't run for nearly 6 months. Ouch!

 

[kal40]

I'm an almost-twenty-year-gapper.

I gave up when I got married. If only I knew then what I know now. I would have saved myself a lot of hassle and money as I ended up divorced anyway.

My worst bit was thinking I could start off where I left off. I bought a flighty TB and wondered why I kept getting dumped. Confidence doesn't seem to stand the test of time. Many painful hospital visits and tears we fast forward to now. The cob I have now is a pleasure to be with. He is very trustworthy (but still has his moments) and has reminded me why I started again.

Leading on to my best - the cob. Worth his weight in gold and the reason I do it all. Very handsome too! Getting my first dressage rosette, starting to jump...... the list goes on.

His previous owners have asked for him back if I sell him. That cob aint going anywhere.

 

[dianeholmes]

Had a gap of nearly twenty years (career, college etc) and love it!

Best thing is'nt a moment but an ongoing pleasure of something I can do for me. There was a time when I was only ever alone between dropping my daughter at nursery and arriving at the office - about a ten minute drive!! The quiet hacks on my own with my lovely horse were bliss!!

Worst thing is how stiff I am now. It is not so easy to recover from falls or keep as fit.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I returned to riding after 20 years, had given up in early teens and took it up again in early 30s, a year later I acquired an IDxTB 17 hand 6 yo (mmm sensible that :-O) who we still have 12 years later, semi retired now. And 4/5 years ago I bought an unbroken 3 yo Haflinger filly and my RI and I backed her and shes now my constant riding star! we even did our first endurance ride last year!

Best moment? winning the championship on the big chap at our stables show and getting to keep the cup forever! Or getting on my Haffie for the first time and knowing noone but me would ever ride her )))
Worst moment? Probably hunting the big chap and spending 40 minutes trying to get him to jump a muddy ditch while the field got further and further away, or when he has occasionally bolted just for the fun of it in a fairly built up area....

I am a terrible nervous nellie but now I live somewhere quiet I do hack out by myself (have to, rarely have a fellow rider available and no school) and actually am starting to quite enjoy it!

 

[jinglejoys]

40yrs for me

 

[Dolcé]

I had exactly 20 years out of horses completely. My worst bit was the last time I rode before the gap whilst 5 months pregnant, it was to be my last ride before the baby (it was frowned upon to ride during pregnancy then). I decided to pop a jump, don't know why as I have never been into jumping, I came off in my one and only ever fall!

My best bit was riding out on OH new mare that was pretty much untried by us, bought at auction about 2 years ago. We were out about 90 minutes and she spent most of that on her hind legs in really serious rears. I rode her through it, kept her going and actually loved the thrill of it at the time. I was just so proud of myself that I had managed to stay in control and not panic. Before the break I could (and would) pretty much ride anything but had been a nervous rider since coming back into it, I was just so thrilled that I still 'had it' I suppose!

 

[jendie]

Went back to riding after a break of 30 years. Worst moment? Breaking my back in a bad fall from a new horse that was supposed to be bombproof but was scared witless by pigeons. Best moment? Getting back on my own horse after I'd recovered and realising she was looking after me...

 

[pardalis]

I've had a gap due to living in London. I now live on the borders and hope to start again soon. My gap is 8 years. I have Green Lane Stables (Morden) behind my house and will venture there although I have no idea what they offer - livery, lessons or both - as I am plumper than I was I guess I may have to buy my own!!

 

[davkt]

Well was a pretty reasonable dressage rider in my teens through mid twenties but gave it all up in a sulk when I figured I hadn't the time or money to take it as far as I wanted.
Fast forward to age 46 and not having sat on a horse since the mega sulk and I seem to have booked myself a 2 hr intro to polo lesson for this Saturday. Any bets as to how many times I end up on the floor?

 

[juliette]

Had lessons age 4-6 years then parents ran out of funds! Cadged the odd ride on friends ponies, but I do mean odd. Then didn't ride until I was 35!! Decided I needed a hobby and not to just be mum. Now have a lovely Palamino cob of my own, had him 2 years now and love my time with him so much.
I do think not having been able to fulfil the dream as a child has made my riding as an adult much more special.
We don't do anything spectacular, hacking and a 10 - 15 miles pleasure ride about once a month. But it keeps me sane!

 

[leflynn]

A gap of 13 years for me due to uni/lack of money/going out/work.

My favourite moment was getting back on a horse for the time and walking off to the arena for a lesson and absolutely loving the feeling again, it was amazing and I still get it now occasionaly when I'm hacking out with the boy

Proudest moments were getting 2 1st and 1 3rd frilly at our yard show a year to the day after I started and one for jumping a 3ft course, I got out the bubbly and was on a high for days Proud moment no 2 was colelcting the horses I'd finally bought after linging for one as a child, I cried with happiness when I got back to the yard and everyone was there waiting with wine and pizza

Worst moment was my first fall, horse tripped and pulled me forward then set about being giant bucking bronco, I ended up with 3 broken ribs, whiplash and a partially collapsed lung

I am so pleased I got back on the horse and started riding again, I have 2 beautiful horses and a stack of amazing friends that I wouldn't have had otherwise

 

[davkt]

Well, time to report back on getting back on a horse (well polo pony but certainly horse sized!) after way to long. As I said above I think it is about 22 or 23 years since I last even sat on a horse.
First thing to say is it amazed me how the second I was on it just felt right again, right foot found the stirrup without having to look down and without really having to think about it I was sorting out tightening the girth and stirrup length. Certainly not scary, unstable etc like the first time I got on a horse. OK so a bit strange only having one hand to deal with a double bridle but once shown that clicked ok.
Heading out to the polo field everything felt natural right away and working through the exersises and drills at the start of the lesson helped everything fall into place (and fell into place lots quicker when I figured I needed to think far less like the dressage rider I was at heart way back when I rode regularly and more like a mounted games rider ).
The rest of class were all new to polo but all rode currently and I wouldn't say overall any of us did particularly better or worse than the rest. Ended the lesson playing a chukka and while it was nothing like the fast flowing game of halfway decent players it was 7 min of constant twisting and turning action and fantastic fun, I was loving it being back on a horse before that but after that I think it is safe to say I'm hooked on polo.
Sure plenty of the basics to work on. Need to get those long neglected riding muscles in my legs much fitter and on a couple of occasions while cantering I found myself missing a stirrup or two, but no big deal, concentrate on riding and find the pedals when the chance arises! But all in all a great way back into riding! Coped OK with an incident involving an umbrella and some very rapid sideways and turning movement from my pony as well so obviously haven't quite forgotten all the less basics either!
1 1/2 hours in the saddle (30min spent on the ground and a wooden horse learning not to smack my pony or myself with the mallet as I tried to hit the ball) and even though I'm a bit stiff across my shoulders and in my legs can't wait to get back for some more!

 

[leflynn]

Sounds like you had fun and are back in the saddle for now I rememebr aching after lessons for a while till I got my muscles got used to it again

 

[POLLDARK]

Had a gap of 30 years, it was great to be back on board. Worst moments are thinking about the 30 years I wasted.

 

[PollyP99]

I too had a 20+ year gap, was a regular rider with my own naughty pony until aged 14 when finance and boys kicked in. Returned to riding at 38ish.

Worst bit for me, feeling petrified whilst tacking up the giant that was deemed suitable for me each week for my lesson and getting less and less confident. Best thing I did was ask the instructor if I could try a stocky pony since that was all I had ridden before, I did, confidence returned on a really naughty Fjord and I have never looked back!

I went on to ride a 16.3 warm blood out on wild hacks at break neck pace and now have a lovely cob of my own which is naughty (always was one for the bad boys) but lovely! Did my first fun ride last week and was bronced off but landed on my feet!

 

[NeilM]

I learned to ride in my early 20's and then took a 25 year break while I concentrated on my Martial Arts training.

The best bit has been learning to jump, and also just about every minute I spend with my best mate Harry.

The worst bit has been realising what I missed out on over all those years I wasn't riding.

 

[sadiedeb]

Did riding lessons as a child probably gave up by time I was 12 then started lessons again at age of 41 (last jan) now the very lucky owner of 2 year old new forest and 4 year old tb which live in the field opposite house - can't be happier - just want to be happy hacker but will take time to get me and Echo in tune and working together - but the love and respect (hopefully!) is there between me and my boys.

 

[Red30563]

Another quarter-century break here! I rode for a few years from the age of 10 to about 13. Then took it up again at at 38 (9 years ago.)

Echo what an earlier poster said about wishing one had the gung-ho attitude of a kid again! But I am still enjoying it so much this time round.

 

[davkt]

Sounds like you had fun and are back in the saddle for now I rememebr aching after lessons for a while till I got my muscles got used to it again

Yep was loving it by the time we'd walked out to the polo field for the start of the lesson but totally hooked by the time we'd played a (by the standard of any half way competent player) fairly slow and static chukka! Hopefully the leg muscles will remember what to do before long!

 

[Syrah]

I had a 10 year gap from aged 24yrs to 34 yrs. Started riding at aged 13yrs on a friends pony, fearless, jump anything type of thing Did the usual riding school work and lessons until about 24yrs then for some reason gave up.

Started again at 34, small gap whilst pg, started again, got my own horse got pregnant again and was made redundant at 37 so had to sell her. Had a major sulk and self pity party for the last 3 years and started again a few months ago Am now in the process of buying another horse (vetting tomorrow)!

I still see my old mare, she's in a forever home near to where I live and I quite often drive past her field.

The positives for me, I've always loved horses and riding, having my own horse is/was a dream come true.

The downside - I don't bounce as well as I used to and I'm a right wuss now

 

[criso]

Had a break of almost 15 years I think with college, uni, career and living in London.
Started again due to a chance remark at a party and knew as soon as I sat on a horse I was hooked again.
Spend a few years at riding schools before sharing, then getting my own.
I was in the pony club teams and thought nothing of jumping 3'6" plus on a 14 2 pony. These days get butterflies taking my 16 2 tb round a 70cm course. And I can't get used to 2 phase jump offs and it's not 3 faults for a first refusal and 9 for 2.

 

[Hal1k1]

It's nice to know that I am not alone!

I returned to riding because I have a critical illness that is very painful and because of that I average about 4 hours sleep a night so also have very little energy. I decided to ride one more time before I became incapable and to make a long story short I now am the very proud owner of an 11 year old ex-racer.

Before my 30 year gap I was the first person to ride the arabs, anglo-arabs and tb's that my trainer bred and sold on. I also jumped or rode at shows so that they could attract buyers. Lack of funds and a change in the family situation stopped my riding then.

Once I had been in the saddle again I couldn't stop because I don't know why but whilst around the horses usually my pain is reduced by about 50%. I push myself all the time because I find it extremely frustrating that I no longer have the balance or strength to ride to the standard I would like to but I keep trying.

Worst moments whilst riding- Trotting along the main road through a village with a lorry behind and a bus and string of cars approaching. The lorry started to come abreast and let his air breaks off. My boy went vertical I came off landed heavily on my feet but kept hold of the reins and then was dragged along the road. Two drivers got out managed to get me back in the saddle and I managed to stay on until I got him back to the yard. When it happened I felt no fear whatsoever it happened too quickly, now I tremble thinking about it.

Worst moment on the ground- Leading him past a bonfire when an aeresol can exploded, then so did he. He took me off my feet but I just let go of his leadrope and then when I had managed to get up off the ground gradually talked him into calmness.

Best moment- On several occasions other horses have escaped from their stables and immediately headed for the fields. My horse is the only one in the yard that comes looking for me and will stay with me until we go back to his box.

Ambitions - One day to be able to jump again and also to train him to be sensible enough to go on some fun rides.

 

[Pampered Ponies]

I had a gap of 24 years and have been back riding for the past 4 years.

My best moment - hard to get down to one but I would have to say the ongoing reward from re-training my 2 ex-racers. Particularly fun when they go from being brilliantly behaved in the school to an adrenalin-inducing gallop whilst hacking.

Worst moment - realising I should have started back years before and had missed out on lots of fun (along with the odd bruise!).

 

[davkt]

Missed the best worst question so based on one polo lesson and about 1.5hrs back on a horse:
Worst: Having to get off at the end of the lesson!
Best: Realising that I was still balanced enough after 20 some years away that loosing a stirrup while cantering was no big deal (just told me I need to work hard on the basics!) then topped a little while later realising I'd just instinctively coped with my pony spinning through 180 degrees then jumping about 6ft sideways in response to a spectator opening a big brolly with a big whump noise! Didn't need to think about it, just went with it then calmed Pinky down.

 

[Fiorano]

I had a 30 year gap and am now the proud owner of a Welsh Sec D and an Irish cob pony. The worst thing about the whole thing for me is that people think you know more than you do because you're old! The best bit, I love it, have a very supportive husband and feel 10 years younger (except for the mornings when my joints don't work as smoothly...lol).

 

[Pebbles]

What a fab and inspiring thread. Coincidentally I just posted today asking 'Would you just give up' after a couple of nasty falls in last few months following a return to riding after a 10 year gap and as usual the wonderful HHO community has helped me decide not to give up and as you all above have shown, there is still so much to be enjoyed and we all fall only to get up again and carry on with the passion that makes our lives go round and gives a purpose to those long boring hours in the office!! Thank you to you all and lets hope we all have many more years of fun with these noble beasts x

 

[TART]

Had a gap of 30 years, it was great to be back on board. Worst moments are thinking about the 30 years I wasted.

Can't agree more !!!! 30 years exactly for me took it up again at 49 - used to do BSJA now into eventing - mostly unnafiliated but have done BE90 now my names on a couple of day tickets to do BE80 hoping for a good Riding Club result - all at 57 love it xxx