Smaller daughter has a Geoff Billington lesson ?

[minesadouble]

Through a series of unexpected events my youngest had the opportunity for a 1 to 1 lesson with Geoff.
I dithered about accepting as she is 12, has been riding only for a couple of years and is currently hopping around 65-70 fences at home on her diminutive coloured, hairy, blue eyed cob, bought with safety in mind rather than any competitive ambition.
Probably not Geoff Billington's usual private lesson material, what would he make of my little pair I wondered!! In the end I thought it was too good an opportunity to miss so off we went!
She had a fabulous time, jumped the biggest, longest course she's ever jumped and the man himself was amazing! Great with my daughter, and such good craic too!!
I doubt my daughter and her pony will ever trouble the pony teams selectors but she had the best 45 minutes ever and was absolutely bouncing with pride when she came out.
But of a pointless post really but just wanted to share what a lovely experience it was ?

 

[J&S]

What an occasion! I was really hoping for a photo or two.

 

[limestonelil]

How lovely is that to read. Not a pointless post at all. ?

 

[dixie]

How fantastic, something that she’ll never forget. ?
And good to read after the MT fiasco.

 

[PapaverFollis]

That's really lovely. One of my friends has had a few lessons with Geoff Billington and had a great time too. One of those rare people that can both do the thing AND teach the thing with sense of humour intact by the sounds of it!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

How brilliant, he is a fab trainer and just about everyone I know that's jumped with him, has finished with a huge grin ?

 

[wills_91]

Great post any pics?!

 

[minesadouble]

What an occasion! I was really hoping for a photo or two.

I can't seem to be able to post pics or I definitely would!!

 

[minesadouble]

Duplicate!

 

[minesadouble]

 

[eahotson]

View attachment 87447View attachment 87448

Lovely.

 

[Red-1]

Amazing!

I had a clinic lesson with him way-back-when. It was amazing! Funny. We also ended up jumping bigger and better than ever before, and smiling whilst doing it.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

What a lovely post! I have never met Geoff but used to steward, when I got the chance, for his late cousin Paul and always had a great day, as did the competitors.

 

[maisie06]

Wonderful ! Geoff is one of the most down to earth people you will ever meet.

 

[Archangel]

Fabulous. Your daughter's pony is a neat jumper.

After reading this and Red-1's post about Geoff, I really, really, really want a lesson with him.

 

[poiuytrewq]

So lovely! What happy faces

 

[Snow Falcon]

What lovely pics and such a great opportunity for your daughter.

I went to a demo years ago with John W and Geoff. Both fantastic, Geoff is a right character. I remember the fancy dress relays of Olympia!!?

 

[Burnttoast]

Wonderful pics!

 

[PapaverFollis]

Those pictures are absolutely lovely.

 

[Fjord]

How fantastic!

 

[Merrymoles]

Oh that's brilliant!

I have been lucky enough to meet Geoff and he came across as a lovely guy. I am quite sure he was as delighted with your daughter and her lovely hairy blue-eyed cob as he would have been with anyone who puts a bit of effort in!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

How fantastic , lovely to see!! He did a few clinics near me last year but I didn't dare go as I'm a nervous jumper ( until I get going!!) So thought it was pretty pointless. May be I will go this year!!

 

[Xmasha]

Lovely post , the smile on your daughters face says it all !

 

[SEL]

I remember him on the programme with the riders at Talland and he was so encouraging with the girl on the Clydesdale. I bet he loved a cheeky little cob. Those are great photos - pony is cute!

 

[minesadouble]

Thanks so much everyone, it was one of those days that really puts a smile on your face ?

As for the pony, I've always been a bit of a pony snob! My mum breeds riding ponies and I was brought up on showing. My two older daughters are both proficient riders and very competitive whereas Poppy had no interest until a couple of years ago. When she showed an interest we had nothing suitable for her to ride so I messaged a friend who teaches and asked if she knew of anything super quiet and safe for sale.
Poppy couldn't even do 'up downs' at that point in time.
She put me in touch with this pony's owner and we tried him and bought him on the spot.
Cookie has totally turned my views on coloured cobs around, he is the most genuine pony who ever looked through a bridle! I'll never part with him as he's give my daughter so much confidence and she's had the best of fun with him! He took her from barely having ridden off the lead to hacking solo and jumping confidently within months.
I see so many of our liveries buying smart blood horses that they are scared to cock a leg over and so many times I find myself thinking 'what you need is a big Cookie'!
He's one in a million and we were so lucky to have found him!

 

[LadyGascoyne]

What riding should be! What a lovely post.

 

[dixie]

Love it !

 

[Bernster]

Cute pic!

 

[Cragrat]

What a thoroughly wonderful thread. A perfect antidote to MT!

 

[hobo]

Love the pictures what a lovely experience and they look fab together.