What made you take up riding?

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A chat with a friend this weekend got me thinking about this. We were talking about horses and when I mentioned that neither of my parents liked horses, yet me and my sister started riding really young, she was quite shocked and said that's really unusual.

For us, it was my older sisters friend inviting my sister for a riding lesson and I wanted to go too, so that was the deal. It never stopped and took over our childhoods despite totally uninterested parents. My dad would help and kind of learned to enjoy it, but it was never his thing, more that he relished the chance to spend time with us as he worked away so much.

So...what made you get into horses?
 
I have no idea where it came from, I was obsessed with horses since I was a tiny tot. I don't come from a remotely horsey family and the only horse I ever saw was one in field near our house. I nagged my parents into letting me have lessons aged 3 and have now been riding for nearly 50 years (yikes).
 
pansymouse said:
I have no idea where it came from, I was obsessed with horses since I was a tiny tot. I don't come from a remotely horsey family and the only horse I ever saw was one in field near our house. I nagged my parents into letting me have lessons aged 3 and have now been riding for nearly 50 years (yikes).
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Yay!!! Love that. My mum used to joke that she had no say in it anyway as I born in the year of the horse and under the star sign Pegasus, lol :)
 
pansymouse said:
I have no idea where it came from, I was obsessed with horses since I was a tiny tot. I don't come from a remotely horsey family and the only horse I ever saw was one in field near our house. I nagged my parents into letting me have lessons aged 3 and have now been riding for nearly 50 years (yikes).
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Pretty much the above! but my Dad got fed up with me pointing at either horses or cows and shouting ''LOOK DADDY HORSEY!!!'' He then started me and my sister in riding lessons :)
But i havent looked back! I have half loaned/helped out at a riding school and helped anyone i knew with horses!
 
Mum had grown up on a farm in Ireland and after her brother was picked up and shaken like a rag doll by the family horse- and mum had been trampled by the cows when she fell under them, she had a fear of large animals.
Despite this, as a toddler, I begged to be allowed to ride the donkey's in the local shopping precinct. I have vivid memories of those few minutes each week and being transported into a magical world.
By the age of 5, I was allowed to have riding lessons. I was put on the lunge and a little grey pony carried me round with such professionalism, that I can recall trying to stop myself smiling so much in case the instructor thought I was a complete idiot.
Nearly 50 years on, I'm still smiling like an idiot every time I get in the saddle. It's still as magical as it was the first day, I was lifted onto a donkey opposite Woolworths.
 
I used to go down to the fields near me, and stroke the horses over the fence, over time I got bolder and bolder and used to clamber into the field (it had a public footpath but we never went into the horse field) and used to stoke them, then growing more courageous picked a favourite and used to bring her a carrot occasionally, I fell in love with the smell of horses and that was me addicted! Started lessons a while after and have never looked back!
 
MerrySherryRider said:
Mum had grown up on a farm in Ireland and after her brother was picked up and shaken like a rag doll by the family horse- and mum had been trampled by the cows when she fell under them, she had a fear of large animals.
Despite this, as a toddler, I begged to be allowed to ride the donkey's in the local shopping precinct. I have vivid memories of those few minutes each week and being transported into a magical world.
By the age of 5, I was allowed to have riding lessons. I was put on the lunge and a little grey pony carried me round with such professionalism, that I can recall trying to stop myself smiling so much in case the instructor thought I was a complete idiot.
Nearly 50 years on, I'm still smiling like an idiot every time I get in the saddle. It's still as magical as it was the first day, I was lifted onto a donkey opposite Woolworths.
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Ah, that's lovely. I have had to force myself to go and see and stroke the cows over the garden fence since I got trampled after moving in. It really shook me as I don't think I would be posting this now if Dan hadn't been there to save me. I totally get your mums fear, but I have made myself get over it so I don't carry it with me. I certainly won't ever forget it though.

Used to love those little ride-ons outside shops :)
 
I used to be terrified of horses when I was little, I loved all animals (still do!) but was a bit concerned when it came to horses! Then my friend invited me for a walk out at the riding school for her birthday party when I was 9 and now at 21 (22 next week!) I charge around the place on racehorses and my own little thoroughbred! Got totally hooked :)
 
pansymouse said:
I have no idea where it came from, I was obsessed with horses since I was a tiny tot. I don't come from a remotely horsey family and the only horse I ever saw was one in field near our house. I nagged my parents into letting me have lessons aged 3 and have now been riding for nearly 50 years (yikes).
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Pretty much the same, here! Always been horse-mad. I come from a large family and only have one cousin (whom I'm not and never have been close to) who is also into horses, but other than that, all non-horsey.

When going through photos fairly recently, I came across a photo of my dad holding me up at a fence to stroke a pony. I can't have been more than 2 years old by the looks of it.

We lived close to Crystal Palace park and they used to have shire horses pulling a wagon that you could have a ride on. I remember the feeling of seeing the horses whenever we used to go, I was awe-struck and totally besotted.

I use to beg and plead for my own pony, every birthday and Christmas without fail (and any opportunity inbetween!). My parents could never afford to send me for lessons, so I only started learning when I could get myself (by bus!) to a riding school and work all day for a free ride. That was when I was 14ish, so around 12/13 years ago now.

Dad always promised one day he would buy me a pony! Sadly, he never got the chance as he passed away earlier this year. He did leave me a bit of money which I used to put towards my new horse, so in a way, he did fulfill his promise to me. Sorry to go off on a soppy tangent!
 
My mum and dad aren't horsey at all. I randomly had a pony ride aged 7 at a fair, and the man leading me round asked how long I'd been riding. I said this is the first time I've been near a pony never mind on one, and he didn't believe me because I looked like I could ride... I wish I knew who he was, so I could thank him now over 20 years later as it completely changed my life and I haven't stopped riding and being around horses since.
 
This is a great thread!

Like many I have a totally non-horsey family and my earliest memory is seeing show jumping on the tv and nagging to ride. My dad started taking me for lessons and I was hooked - he's quite outdoorsey to so I think was glad I wasn't only interested in sitting in front of the tv. I had a 15 year break and am now more hooked then ever, still thank him for booking my first riding lesson :)
 
pansymouse said:
I have no idea where it came from, I was obsessed with horses since I was a tiny tot. I don't come from a remotely horsey family and the only horse I ever saw was one in field near our house. .
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Same here. I know that my Granddad was horsey... he was born in America and he parents had horses. When they moved to the UK, the family legend is that his mother and father worked as horse trainers in Blackpool circus. I've no idea how true that is mind you, it is just a family story! My family (that I have known) have never had horses, and AFAIK neither did my Granddad apart from either when he was young in the US or when they came to the UK. I was always obsessed with horses and ponies. In the village we lived in when I was about 6, there was a horse in a field which my GD used to take me to visit and pat his nose over the fence. I did ride a bit when I was little but parents said it was too expensive and I could only do it when I could afford to pay for it myself.

So, I took it up again when I was about 17 and haven't looked back :)
 
The short answer is because it was the only sport I wasn't S**t at! I first rode on an adventure holiday thingy at school when I was 13. I had hated and been appalling at everything else we did and I was really feeling dreadful. But horse riding was something else, I love it and I loved the horses right from the start. As soon as I got home I begged my parents for riding lessons. My dad had ridden his sisters pony a bit as a little boy (she bought a pony of the dustman by saving up money from the paper round)! My parents made me pay for lessons myself for several yrs and my dad got back into riding and the rest is history!
 
My grandma putting me on a donkey on Woolacombe beach wehn I was three (in 1973), my Godparents daughter owning a pony and me having the odd sit on it and the thought of having something to love all got be involved in riding.

Then my Grandad who had been in the mounted police in Birmingham left me some money in his Will and that was it! :)
 
When I was very small I went with my parents as they were looking at a house to buy, there was a large paddock with stables and the owner at the time had 2 big hunters. One of the horses picked me up by the toggle of my coat and tried walking off with me. I'm sure it would've terrified many other small tots but since then it was "Mummy, Daddy, I want a pony". My parents bought the house and a few years later there was a pony out the back one day :) My parents weren't horsey, my Mum remained pretty scared of horses and she never quite 'agreed' with people riding them but she sure loved to shop for me and the horses and always got me the most amazing horsey related presents for Birthday and Christmas, she had a real thing for fly fringes and put her knitting, embroidery and crochet skills to great use on a range of things! My Dad on the other hand fell in love with horses and learnt to ride himself, we spent an amazing riding holiday together in Exmoor and he was also the most excellent groom. My parents passed away several years ago but every moment I get to be with horses today brings back fond memories.

I've loved reading everyone's stories on here. Sorry to hear about your Dad Embo but that's so great that you bought your horse with his help.
 
shadeofshyness said:
My mum and dad aren't horsey at all. I randomly had a pony ride aged 7 at a fair, and the man leading me round asked how long I'd been riding. I said this is the first time I've been near a pony never mind on one, and he didn't believe me because I looked like I could ride... I wish I knew who he was, so I could thank him now over 20 years later as it completely changed my life and I haven't stopped riding and being around horses since.
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It's strange how such a seemingly insignificant thing can have such an impact on someone's life. I'm sure that man at the fair has no idea that his rides would spark a life long love of horses, or my chap with his donkey's would affect me as a toddler.
It's one reason why I let children make a fuss or have a mini ride on my boy if we're ever at a pub or social gathering. You never know what it could lead to.
 
My brother started riding when he was younger in holland because all his friends did, and I would stand at the side and gurn because 3 year old me wanted a 'horse'. After that I used to ride the neighbors shetland around their yard, and after a few years of moving around, we settled here and my persistent nagging finally got too much for my parents. First lesson when I was 7, first pony when I was 11 and now I have my first 'proper' horse. Funny though because my mum had a terrible accident as a teenager on her friends horse and she was terrified, and my dads sister used to have a tb mare that would 'attack' him (chase after him as he ran away with the feed bucket), so they didn't want anything to do with the horses and I was left to my own devices. Worked out though, dad loves my mare even if he does run a mile when she sneezes near him :)
 
Like most of you, I have been enchanted by horses since I can remember . . . and, like many of you, I came from a non-horsey family (except my Irish Grandda who joined the Cavalry). I nagged and nagged and nagged and wished and wished and wished for a pony all through my childhood . . . every Christmas, every birthday.

I rode friends horses and ponies (well, clung on for dear life really) and haunted the local riding school until they put a straw fork in my hand and pointed me at a stable. But was always on the periphery of horsey life - like a little hungry kid with her nose pressed up against a pie shop window.

I grew up, moved to the U.S., and fully embraced suburban life without horses. Met my husband, built up a thriving career, had my girls. In 2000, we moved to the UK so I could run the marketing department of a software start-up and I really wanted to live in a village. I found a cute little cottage with a back garden backing onto fields with horses grazing and snapped it up. It turned out that those fields belonged to a livery yard and the liveries had to hack past the end of our drive to get out into the nearby forest . . . for the first few weeks my daughters and I would run to the front of the house every time we heard the hoofbeats just to LOOK at the horses going past. After a while, my eldest said she wanted to take up riding . . . and there was a riding school within a two minute drive up the lane from our house. She went for a "walk out" . . . she was hooked and started having lessons . . . but I was finding every excuse known to man to be up there . . . I'd take her up there a good hour early and we'd stay for a good two hours afterwards just so I could watch lessons. It didn't take too long for her instructor to catch on and tell me to "for heaven's sake book a lesson." Husband obligingly bought me 10 lessons for my birthday (thinking that would get it out of my system ;)) . . . 10 years later I am more obsessed than ever!

P
 
Mum and all her sisters rode so had lessons at various times in my childhood- can remember getting my toe stood on aged 3/4 with some playgroup friends :p.
 
I had never even sat on a horse until the age of 32 when my horse mad daughter, then aged 8, persuaded me to go on a horse ride on holiday. I did a little bit of trekking whilst on holiday until I hit the age of 42 and stayed at a caravan site which had a riding stables attached. After 10 mins I had learnt rising trot and had my first steady canter by the end of the ride. I got bitten by the bug, started having lessons, bought my beautiful gelding three years later, and the rest is history.....:)
 
MerrySherryRider said:
It's strange how such a seemingly insignificant thing can have such an impact on someone's life. I'm sure that man at the fair has no idea that his rides would spark a life long love of horses, or my chap with his donkey's would affect me as a toddler.
It's one reason why I let children make a fuss or have a mini ride on my boy if we're ever at a pub or social gathering. You never know what it could lead to.
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Absolutely. I was such an unhappy child in school up until horses came into my life - I don't know what would have become of me had I not had that encounter on the pony ride.

I don't know if fairs tend to do pony rides these days - hope they haven't been scared off by the compensation culture.
 
Neighbour had a pony, best friend had a pony and another best friend had weekly lessons.

After 5 years of begging for a pony after sympathetic rides on friends ponies I got lessons aged 10. I screamed at my thelwell birthday card with a voucher and polo in a little plastic bag!
 
No one in my family were/are horsey I copied a friend in primary school as I have always been the one to copy / want what others have and have been riding since the age of 8 - now (24)...
 
We moved from central Cambridge to rural Norfolk when I was 6, nearly 7, and we lived near a RAF base. Pretty much every time a plane flew over I told my little brother and sister (aged 4 and 2) it was a tornado coming and they had to go and hide immediately. My mum got slightly fed up of consoling two distraught toddlers every time a plane flew over so bribed me with riding lessons if I stopped doing it.

16 years later and my little sister is about to be one of the grooms for a top eventer, and has managed to make a successful turn of 'doing' horses for a living and I had possibly some of the best years of my life riding out with her. My mum and sister and I are very close largely due to the horses and I have some brilliant memories from it. I only ride when I go home now, but owning horses has taught me so much and offered me so many opportunities, I am so lucky to have had that experience.
 
none of my family are particularly horsey, some of them have done a bit of riding but not a great deal, i just always liked horses, well most animals actually! never allowed to have a pony or a dog though, just a cat and that was only because the house we moved to had mice!! I do remember my grandad putting me up on a pony in a paddock by where we walked his dog ( he knew the owners....... hopefully!!) and i remember him telling us girls if a horse ran at us to stand up tall and wave our arms in the air to make ourselves look big and then they wouldn't run us over! (he also told us if a dog jumped up and bit us to rip it's front legs apart :o ) I had riding lessons from when i was about 7 but on;y for a few years as i got made to do piano instead (yuk) started again when i was 15 and could pay for it myself, left home at 17 to go play with horses and have managed to surround myself with dogs and later horses ever since. Haha parents can't stop me now ;)
 
I was another who was a completely and utterly horse obsessed child. My parents weren't in anyway horsey but I read, played, dreamed and talked horses and ponies constantly, and when I wasn't doing any of the aforementioned activities I was hanging around some fields near where I lived where there were ponies and begging rides in return for jobs! My parents could only afford for me to have one lesson a fortnight at a riding school! So having my own was just never going to happen.
I drifted out of it in my late teens but got bitten by the bug again when my 3 year old starting showing an interest. That's all it was though - a passing interest, she was never obsessed like I had been.
So she lost interest and I continued with the lessons and started to think that maybe - just maybe I could have one of my own now.
I continued daydreaming about it for several years untill a friend my age who I'd been at school with, died of cancer and suddenly the realisation hit me that life is too short to think that you'll do something ONE DAY - do it now - while you can.
So I did. I got my first one at 43 - completely unsuitable, and very unsound - but I loved him dearly and learnt a lot. I had him for just over 4 years till he had to be put down due to arthritis in his spine which was causing him to lose the use of his back legs. I then got my section D mare that I have now and haven't looked back.
 
My family are not into horses, but from the age of a very small child was totally mad about them and all I wanted to do was ride. My dad took me once thinking it would shut me us and as they say the rest is history
 
I think I've always been horse mad! I'm told I asked my parents when I was very little if I could have lessons? Started riding just before my 7th birthday! Would gaze longing at horses in fields, any fair we went to I'd have a pony ride, would drag the family pony trekking on holiday and Horse and Pony magazine was my bible!

Mum and my auntie were pony mad but my grand parents couldnt afford lessons, they rode sporadically at a riding school as teenagers, helping out for a ride etc. They took up riding again when I started, my cousin and brother soon followed. My auntie has had 4 horses. I helped out at the riding school from the age of 10 -17, lost interest whilst I was at uni etc and started again 10 years ago when I met my now OH, he brought his eventer to the yard I had always ridden at.

We now have 2 horses, 2 mares,Chloe a 15 year old 15.1hh Anglo Arab X and Amber a 7 year old reg ISH.

I think my dad hoped horses would just be a phase........
 
I also had totally unhorsey parents but started riding at just 2!

We had a neighbour who had a pony for her teenage daughter, one day she bought a Shetland (I think it was a pity buy at market) and he needed a job so I was offered a ride. I rode him regularly for about 4 years until I outgrew him and was sent off to a riding school. I am sure my parents hadn't a clue what they were getting into!

It took me 30 years of lessons and riding other peoples ponies before I finally got my own though!
 
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