Snowfilly
Well-Known Member
Work and life have brought me back to where I grew up and today I wandered down to my old riding school. I hadn't visited for about 10 years; from a horse mad teenager who loved jumping to a busy woman who hasn't ridden much this year and spends her time showing a daft heavy horse.
From 10-18, I basically lived at this place; I had lessons, broke youngsters, painted jumps and hung out in the house cleaning tack and eating lunch. So I was a bit emotional to start with; it was so good to hear the creaking gate open again!
I was recognised almost immediately and dragged on a tour by my old instructor - some amazing things. The big chestnut mare I used to stand on a box to groom had a foal, who is now a strapping 8 year old. A couple of welshies I was a crash test dummy for are school ponies now.
Some awful - I knew he'd passed but visiting the grave of the mad bay Rambo who I jumped for years had me in tears. In fact, four of the ponies I rode the most have all crossed the Bridge.
There's a bunch of kids with their names on seats in the tack room - I found my peg and seat, and you can still see my name on there in faded pen.
And I didn't get off that easily - I was forcibly booked onto a 12 week course of lessons before I was allowed to leave.
Funny how things go full circle and I've been wandering around in a memory fuelled daydream since this morning!
From 10-18, I basically lived at this place; I had lessons, broke youngsters, painted jumps and hung out in the house cleaning tack and eating lunch. So I was a bit emotional to start with; it was so good to hear the creaking gate open again!
I was recognised almost immediately and dragged on a tour by my old instructor - some amazing things. The big chestnut mare I used to stand on a box to groom had a foal, who is now a strapping 8 year old. A couple of welshies I was a crash test dummy for are school ponies now.
Some awful - I knew he'd passed but visiting the grave of the mad bay Rambo who I jumped for years had me in tears. In fact, four of the ponies I rode the most have all crossed the Bridge.
There's a bunch of kids with their names on seats in the tack room - I found my peg and seat, and you can still see my name on there in faded pen.
And I didn't get off that easily - I was forcibly booked onto a 12 week course of lessons before I was allowed to leave.
Funny how things go full circle and I've been wandering around in a memory fuelled daydream since this morning!
