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How Very Horsey, Rider Psychology

Weren’t you utterly furious?

July 11, 2019 No Comments

A few years ago, I was sat in the stands at Hickstead watching the Nursery Stakes class. I am always amazed how plucky these young children are to attack the tough course in the big grass ring at Hickstead. A young boy came in on a stunning bay pony who I knew had been very […]

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How Very Horsey, Rider Psychology

There is no ‘it’ in ‘team’

May 28, 2019 No Comments

“It’s got a voice today”, “Get it ready and I’ll get on it in a minute”, “It just isn’t playing ball today” These are just three examples of things I have heard being said at shows over the last few weeks and I have a question for these people. How do you expect to have […]

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Confidence, How Very Horsey, Rider Psychology

The Effect of Nerves

March 12, 2019 1 Comment

Seeing life through Joey’s eyes is quite special. Into the lorry he jumps, with his map in hand saying “Are we going on an adventure?” No worries at all. I wish I could be a bit more like Joey! I think I have underestimated the effect that nerves have on me! Just putting it out […]

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Confidence, How Very Horsey, Rider Psychology

Don’t be brave

February 27, 2019 4 Comments

In the horse world of late, I have noticed this word brandished about a lot: Brave. “Be brave” “Feeling brave” “Finding my brave”. And, ever one to rock the boat when I see it necessary, I am going to have to object. I don’t want to be brave! And this is why… When I think […]

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Confidence, How Very Horsey, Rider Psychology

Overthink much?

January 24, 2019 7 Comments

Put your hand up if you are prone to overthinking. Which hand though? How high should I place my hand? What does prone mean? Remember that time I put my hand up and bashed the ceiling? Although that other time I put my hand up and …. Do I actually overthink or do I think […]

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Confidence, How Very Horsey, Rider Psychology

I wish I was a little bit taller.

November 7, 2018 1 Comment

Jack has come in after a few weeks ‘holiday’ in the field. He has got a bit woolly, a little chubby and hopefully it has done him good. However, it is time to get back to work, and we have a lot of work to do. I was prepared for him to be a little […]

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Horse Welfare, How Very Horsey

Bullying – thought I had grown out of it but apparently not

September 22, 2018 9 Comments

Reading the awful stories on the news recently about children being bullied at school brought back some painful memories for me: I didn’t have the nicest time at school. I was also there before social media and online bullying existed so dread to think how much harder it must be now. It was absolutely heartbreaking […]

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Confidence, How Very Horsey, Rider Psychology

The Inner Monologue – sports psychology meets anxiety

August 27, 2018 2 Comments

My second love, besides horses, is musical theatre. Oh, and Joey of course. Oh and Jack. Oh god, and Pie! He should have been first! Ok, it’s one of my loves. Musical theatre is something I am often inspired by. I produced a version of The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown a few […]

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Confidence, How Very Horsey, Rider Psychology

Bottle it – step 3 on the road to confidence

August 9, 2018 4 Comments

Confidence, I have realised, is like a bottle of wine or gin. Whichever you prefer. To really excel and be full of confidence, you need a full bottle. (Definitely a metaphor, please drink responsibly!) My confidence has been pretty rock bottom in recent years but, this week, I had a bit of a realisation. My […]

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Confidence, How Very Horsey, Rider Psychology, Showing

How far we have come

July 17, 2018 No Comments

We took Jack to Wellington on Saturday to do some show jumping. I made an error at fence 8 and had it down. I was annoyed with myself but took the lesson and moved forward. Then my mother said 5 magic word “Look how far you’ve come.” A few months ago, if Jack had so […]

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About Me

“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” I consider myself to be fortunate to have had access to some of the most gifted horse men and women on the planet. I started riding at 12 – introduced to the horse world by American Horse Whisperer Monty Roberts and his protege Kelly Marks (who happens to be my aunt!). That was 1998 and my first foray into showing was in the Search for a Star final at the Horse of the Year Show that year – although clueless is the only word to describe my performance.

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Blog Lucky Dip

  • January 24, 2018

    Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes

  • May 11, 2015

    Badminton – Pol, pickles, pants and just a few ponies.

  • August 13, 2016

    Making a tough decision, putting your horse first

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