8/7/13 - The (Common) Ride of my Life

 Having had a fab hack racing Frankel cob in the sun a day before, I was genuinely hungry for a Common Riding experience, and it really helped to take the edge off any nerves I had. I was to be riding to what was officially labelled the hottest day of the year so far. My jacket was definitely not coming with me this evening, even though it contained my hip flask/Dutch courage!

My friend and I arrived early, so we had time to chat and meet the locals. We met a bunch of ladies that were running the Common Ride route with us. Yes, you have read that correctly – they were RUNNING it! We also met a bunch of folk in lycra on bikes were cycling the route. Given that I knew before we started that it was a mountainous route and it was 27oC, I thought they were mad! Mind you, they probably looked at us and thought we were mad to trust a live animal, rather than just relying on their feet or their bike. Horses for courses and all that!

Mounting up is one of my least favourite things about riding. One of worst injuries I’ve ever had was from falling off when mounting. (The horse moved, so I went up one side and right down over the other). Abbie hadn’t stood still at the first Common Ride, and the YO said no horse ever does when out. This time however, I had to mount her from a wall, but once on the wall I also had to move along. I’m terrified of heights, and was so nervous of walking the wall, I never really noticed mounting. Abbie also stood still this time – what a mare! I was the first person mounted up too, and it gave me time to trot Abbie to check the stirrups. They were even, but while I can hack at that length, I recalled the discomfort of not being able to take the light seat in the same way due to stirrup length on ride one. I put a loop in the leathers, and immediately I felt secure and happy, though clearly I wouldn’t be winning any dressage awards. Today was all about safe fun though, and I don’t think I can quite explain how those stirrups soothed me (much like I lack the words to convey quite how they had the opposite effect on my first Common Ride).

My friend’s mount, Nonny, was being a pain so she took him off into town with the horses that passed. I waited until the other horses from our lorry were leaving, but that left just me and the Official Party – The Herald on Hugo, and all his elected compatriots on Buddy, Lucky, Gem and Sophie. We were the last horses to join the waiting hoards, and it felt rather nice to walk into town with them.

The Herald blasted his horn, signalling our departure, and off we went through the town’s market square and high street. There were a lot of folk in the streets to greet us, and I enjoyed the walk and trot through the crowds in the sunshine. My friend and I ended up beside the ex-Herald as we waited for our police escort: I took the chance to ask him about the ride route, and he told me that apart from the 15mins to get out of town and back in, this Common Ride had not a drop of road-work in it. That made me nervous, as it likely meant lots of canters, but I knew that if I did enjoy this Common Ride, then that would become retrospective music to my ears.

Me and Abbie leaving town to start the ride:

True to the former-Herald’s word, no sooner were we out of town and a little uphill than we turned onto a grassy track, and left any road work behind for another 2.5hrs. In my last ride, I felt like all I needed was one speedy field gallop to really reassure myself that my stirrups were my problem, and not my mind. At the end of this track, we entered a field, and ran a slightly uphill straight line after the gate. Once getting onto the flat of the field, Abbie took off, and we went faster than we ever did on our first ride (or so it felt). I was grinning and whooping: this is the feeling that I had been waiting for – the deep thrill of going fast, the sun on our backs, the wind in our hair, Abbie not worrying about me on her back and me not worried about staying on hers. On my first ride, almost every time I turned to my friend after a gallop, I was at least partly forcing a smile. This time I was like the Cheshire Cat with my grin, and gave the thumbs up. This Common Riding malarkey really would be fun!

The ride we were on is one of the least expensive that the yard offers each year, normally an indication that it’s short and boring (some of the cheapies are literally only walk and trot). This ride was SO much better than the price reflected: almost every field we entered, we cantered on it, even if it was only short due to a change of gradient. Judging by the tracker, it was over a dozen canters or gallops, and the waits in-between were never too long. That’s as many as one of the biggest, fastest, and more expensive rides of the summer!

I developed this theory the other day of why I might get a bit nervous out Common Riding. When learning to drive or even riding my bike to class at Uni, I always panicked if I had to take a route that I couldn’t picture every single turn off, roundabout and set of lights on: I like to know what is happening and when. For parts of CR 1, I was amidst the Official Party – there were as few as 6 horses ahead of me. I decided on this ride that despite having to adjust Abbie a lot in walk and trot to do it, that I was sitting at least a quarter of the ride in; I wanted to see where gallops started and ended before I did them, so I could always prepare for changing gear, and any changes in the ground. I definitely felt better with a bit of pre-warning on this ride, but a sign of a gallop did not come with the nerves (or an ambulance) like last time – I cheered every time I saw them take off, and looked forward to every bit of speed work. I cannot explain how good it felt to finally experience a Common Ride the way I’d imagined them: like all the best bits of a hack, but with a better view and more fields. This was living up to my expectations and more besides!

The ride was full of fields, pasture and meadows; I’m struggling to recall any landmarks to recall in order to serialise the ride in my mind. (The helmet cam video does suffer a little compared to my first video because there is less noticeable variety). There were however still some really noticeable parts for me. I was always careful to find a balance between steering Abbie, and then letting her follow her feet on the safest path once we opened up. Only once did I fail to make a decision: we had a hummock of tall grass in front of us, and I knew Abbie wouldn’t let her feet touch it. I was prepared to go right of it, or go over, and wouldn’t you know it – my little horse jumped it! Clever girl, and it was the easiest solution to ride too. There were also a lots of canters, especially later on, when my little horse’s fitness showed. Even people’s TBs were winding down at the end, and my little coloured horse was cantering past them up a hill, while they were breathing heavily in a trot. I could see the looks – she packs a surprising punch does Abbie!

I feel that I also have to take a moment to try and convey the beauty of the scenery we were in. We’d seen or travelled through hay fields, pastures, wild meadows, wooded paths, heathery hillsides, distant mountains and valleys in a blue haze from the sun, an ancient tower (where we had our break), and a quaint town too. The sunshine made everything glorious, and the distant hot air balloon look like it had a view to rival ours. The whole setting was immeasurably beautiful, and I enjoyed the quiet moments to absorb all sights, sounds and smells at walk, just as I loved the thrill of the canters and gallops. The ride was a beautiful balance of exhilaration and stunningly serenity in these beautiful surroundings.

Me and Abbie walking downhill for the gallop to the tower:

Getting back to the actual riding, I also got the confidence to kick Abbie on later in the ride: she was keen and taking me along everywhere, but wasn’t as fast as the first field. I put my leg on and she bounced into life; it was like she said “You want fast? I’ll give you FAST!” She started to over-take horses that had over-taken her earlier, and I regretted not finding this 6^th gear earlier. She did not lose her head at this pace either – the speed did not blow her brain. On the final gallop a horse beside me napped at the gate, and I got pushed into the left and my stirrup nearly came off. Abbie felt me wiggle my foot to try and get it onto the ball of my foot and she immediately slowed to look after me. When I had it back, Abbie sped up and ran that last field like it was her first. I’d accidentally got a group ahead of my friend as well, as she’d been chatting to someone behind me, and my little horse was marching every walk and trot to go up the queue. She said she I looked like I’d properly gone for it, and Abbie looked rapid. Sadly my tracker had a technical fault and didn’t record the ride details, but my friend’s maximum speed was 26 miles/hr and that was on the last gallop. Having seen me, she thinks I went faster than her wee TB as I had got myself the space! I really hope it doesn’t fail next time: I’d love to see what Abbie does J We also cover more than 13miles in all too.

I have to say, I’d recommend this ride to anyone wanting to try them out be they local or visiting the Borders – it’s safe enough for a novice, but enough going on to make more seasoned riders happy too. All the canters and gallops were either uphill, on a level, or on almost negligible descending gradients. The ground was wonderful, and there was space to over-take safely. My only issue was on a 3-part hill where I got boxed in by unfit horses, and they all broke into trot whereas Abbie was fit enough to canter it all. I did however catch up with the visually impaired rider on my yard’s mare Whisperer at this point: the girl she had set off with and who I had assumed was her guide was no longer with her. She was doing this ride completely on her own as it were! Whisperer is a kind, steady horse that can be held for gates, and will follow the herd rather than take a short-cut that allows her to pull-up. Even so, this woman’s independent riding was fantastic; if it wasn’t for the folded cane, I wouldn’t have known she was VI. I noticed her in the photos of a Common Ride last week – one of the fastest of the year. So, not only is she Common Riding on a horse she hires rather than owns, she’s doing the advanced rides too. I’d have taken my hat off to her if I could have! (You can see her on the dark bay in the video in front of me, exactly 7mins in).

Abbie lost a shoe about 5mins after the last canter, and about 15mins away from the ride’s end. Good timing on her part! I’d have been worried about making her foot-sore galloping her on it, even though we were always on grass. I spent a lot of the descent into town thinking about how awesome she had been. When I asked her to start transitioning down to trot earlier than the riders around me, she quickly obeyed without a fight. While she got excited at every gate, I could hold her with the merest squeeze of contact; equally, when the gates were wider and there was space, she happily and safely cantered me through them and turned. She steadied up when I almost lost my stirrup, she was exquisite downhill (L has prepared me well with the awful hill we go down on our hack), she stood still to mount, and she didn’t headshake much at all, even though there were lots of flies! I swatted lots off her, and she only ever cow-kicked when we were on the break, to keep them away. She also nibbled my toes – I like to think she was telling me to do a better job of keeping the flies off her sides and rump too and not just her head and neck, rather than telling me to get off! She also covered the ground on the way down – we were the first horse in line after the Official Party and lead Marshal for the closing ceremony, having been 100 horses back only 15mins earlier. She took some adjusting though, as the lead horses are from our yard and she wanted to be with them. She did settle though, and was amazing behind the pipe band. I only wish I’d caught that bit on camera too!

One thing I should add: I only found out last week that when I took Abbie to Lanark, this was only ever her 2^nd ever Common Ride, and it was her first in 2013. She came to the yard as an Irish 4yr old last summer, and only did the last Common Ride of the year. This makes her calmness, her manners at gates, her ability to run in fields with sheep and cows in them, and willingness to walk behind a pipeband all the more remarkable. (She had a good old nosy at the ‘cowboy’ horses though, herding loose animals away from us). She has a brain that is mature beyond her age or Common Riding experience; this ride was about her 5^th of the season now, and she really feels like a veteran. Round of applause for my little hoss please!

So, that’s pretty much it. I was the first person back at the lorry, and was delighted that it meant Abbie got some water sooner than everyone else. Endomondo has recorded the length of the ride, and it was 3hrs 11mins in the sun; gosh had Abbie earned that bucket! I also gave her lots of polos, and as many cuddles as I could squeeze in before she was loaded. She had been everything I needed and more; I love the bloody bones of her!

This Common Ride was also a decider of whether I went Common Riding on the ‘yard’ ride next Tuesday. I knew it was going to be a faster ride, but hadn’t realised it was a mid-week version of the town’s Saturday ride, which my yard website describes as being for ‘the fast and furious’. LD, a ride leader, promised me that I wouldn’t do a death, and I now feel ready to take it on, rather than swap my deposit to a gentler ride. It will test my boundaries a bit, but I know where I am on Abbie’s stirrup leathers now, I am on a horse that is totally adjustable, and if there was a stupidly fast downhill sections (my idea of hell), then I could bring Abbie back to trot, worst coming to the worst. I’ll have my friend for company and support, and my wee superstar horse to keep me right. So what’s to worry about… right?! :D

7/7/13 - Boiling Point

I think this may have been the perfect weekend. I spent my Saturday having a lay in, and then drinking bubbly and having a BBQ with my riding buddy, our partners, and some other friends. The sun was hot, the breeze was refreshing, the booze was cold, and the chat was fun. It was an unbirthday celebration as it’s my friend’s birthday on Sunday. Little did we know, that Sunday’s hack would end up as a smashing gift too!

I arrived on the yard and people were already in the office; I’d missed the early bus by 1 minute as the cash machine was being slow, so had to wait 25mins on the bus that gets me there on time. Trust the yard to actually not be running 15mins late the one time I cut it fine! I listed 3 charges as potential rides: YO told me Abbie was in the field, so she was resting ahead of our Common Ride tomorrow. Finlay, Frankie’s son, had already been taken by someone else on the hack. That left my 3rd horse – Fun Time Frankie, who I knew should be free as she isn’t coming off either of the two Common Rides this week.

I got on my little horse, and drank in the sunshine. I was put 3rd in the snake because the horses in front were mares too, but my friend was frustrated on the first canter behind me on the much faster Jeffry. Thankfully there were no hints of Crankie today – she didn’t kick at a single horse. In fact, the only time she bucked was going downhill towards the river because the flies were at their worst there. I thought she was going to launch me over her head and into the river at one point, but today I actually would have been glad of it. It was about 23oC! Becoming 4th made much more sense, and was a more accurate reflection of Frankie’s relative speed.

All in all, Frankie was keen to go; she was doing the trick she pulled last week, of assuming every time that I leant forward in walk or trot to avoid a branch, that I was taking the light seat to go for a canter. She was delightfully quick off the mark, though I really felt how much slower she was today as the front three horses are some of the faster ones on the whole yard. I was in charge of passing signals and things to the slower, pony hack going on behind me, so I felt like I had my own little hack going on at times! Frankie opened up on the farm trail though, and it was a joy to be on her when she was letting rip, even if it was much slower than the leaders. We also were supposed to do a collected canter back down the path, which is a bit downhill. Frankie wasn’t keen on containing herself, and proceeded to do a medium to fast canter and keep up instead. She wouldn’t collect for me, so I let her maintain the pace rather than hang off her mouth and argue (not what I would do in the school, I have to say). I did feel a bit uncomfortable going at that speed a bit downhill, but I knew it would be good for me with the Common Rides in mind. As usual, I was of course find and in balance; I just hated the feeling!

After the farm track, our ride leader said there was no point in going near the railway line today – given that it’s the hottest day of the year so far, it would be full of walkers and cyclists. Instead, we were going to do some extra canter work around the woods, gallop a field, and canter uphill past the fields on the way home. It was a hot day for the horses to work so hard, but gosh did I have Frankel Cob giving me what she could!

The only real issue I had today was when Frankie tripped cantering downhill in the woods at one point. If it hadn’t been for the gradient, she would have been on her knees, and I’m not so sure that I would have stayed on! Frankie also maintained her opinions about the best paths. I never let her take me under heavy growth, but was happy to let her pick the path within the guidelines that I set for her. I do have a lot of scrapes to show for it though, as a lot of branches hit me. Everyone else was in the same boat though, as the growing season seems to have erupted since our hack last week. I just seemed to have worse luck with the holly and bracken given the thorns I picked out of myself! Still, it wouldn’t be a Frankie hack if you can back without a few leaves in your hair, and a few scrapes to show for it. She did stay within my limits; I have literally seen her peel off riders that give her the reins and don’t steer her!

I also felt Frankie’s limit today. Our last canter was the long, uphill run past the fields. I did something I’ve never done before on Frankie, and we actually jumped a log on the ground. Halfway up though, she ran out of steam. I pushed and she tried, but after nearly 2hrs of hacking with more cantering than usual and the hot, muggy air, my little cob was tired; the fact that she doesn’t Common Ride told. I thanked her for trying though, and she did trot at a speed that allowed those behind me to keep in canter. I felt her give me everything she had, rather than just being lazy or naughty. I wanted to get off her on the way back down in walk, and put her straight in her field for being so good!


The field we went into had been cut for hay, but hadn’t yet been bailed. This left a broad, even strip around the edge of the field, about the width of the race course on my Common Ride, but with much steeper corners and some downhill sections. I was nervous, especially as the last time I raced on a hack I fell off Jeffry, but I knew I was in safe hands with Frankie, and that it would be a great warm-up for Common Riding tomorrow. So in I went, Frankie grew a hand taller as soon as her feet hit the grass, and off we tore in no time at all! (Gosh do I wish I’d had my helmet cam on).

As before, the fast 3 horses at the front were tearing it up, and Frankie was leading the more novice riders on their ponies. She motor-biked the corners, and I had to wrestle to protect the hay. After a couple of corners of arguing, she got the message though, and we were much smoother speeding around the corners. I didn’t even flinch at going downhill: I felt so glued to her, that it did not in-still the nerves in me that it often does. We were however only meant to do one lap, but L changed her mind. I was slowing Frankie down to canter from gallop when L kept going, allowing the ponies behind to catch up. Frankie tore off into gallop again, actively racing the horses around her, and going faster than I’ve ever been on her. I held her back though – all 3 of the ponies around us go on Common Rides, and I was worried about her over-exerting herself to win a losing battle. We kept with two ponies for a few corners, and I was able to keep her on-line while many of the others cut in. By the final straight, we were last, and I pulled Frankie up into trot a little early. She was foaming with sweat, and I didn’t need any more from her. L put me straight back in front of the other ponies, and off we walked toward home, me merrily holding onto the buckle to give her the freedom to unwind. Frankie had been glorious, and I had enjoyed myself; I genuinely felt hungry for tomorrow’s Common Ride, rather than more nervous. I could scarcely have scripted it better!

Before I knew it, it was time to head home. I got onto the yard, and sadly the main water trough in the yard was empty; my plan had been to dismount beside it and to let Frankie drink as soon as possible. I did however get lots of quality time with Frankie though, as she was the last horse taken into the stables. We cuddled, she gave me a minty kiss looking for more polos, and was generally an absolute darling. She is very aloof when in her own box, so it’s lovely to catch these moments with her when she is happy to be fussed over. Her coat is also unbelievably soft; it made for the most wonderful cuddles.

My friend and I agreed that it was the best hack we had been on in quite some time: the extra cantering, the field gallop, the small number of clients (6 instead of last week’s 13), the sunshine, the preparation for tomorrow’s Common Ride… It was a wonderful morning, and a great birthday ride for my friend. While I will inevitably be nervous tomorrow, especially because neither me nor my friend know the route, I am genuinely buoyed and excited. My biggest concern right now is the heat – 24oC in my formal riding jacket. Ouch! I hope to blog about that, alive and not too sunburned, later on in the week :)

In the meantime, thanks for reading, and hope you enjoy the sunshine every one!

30-6-13 Fun With an Old Friend

I needed to ride a horse today. Between taking a weekend off after Common Riding, being away in England the next weekend, and the yard not offering weekend hacks because of other events going on, I hadn’t ridden a horse since 4^th June – the day of the Common Ride. I’m sure that my confidence would prove to be fine, but I just needed to experience it for myself. I also had a virus all week, and had just about been well enough to call myself fit to ride. All things considered, I’d planned to ask for Abbie – she wouldn’t be too much work, the more I ride her the better in terms of Common Ride prep, and she’s well within my comfort zone. She was however, on a rest day, and the YO didn’t even ask me who I wanted in the end – rather, she foisted a horse upon me. To my delight, it was my old friend Fun Time Frankie – the moody Turbo Cob who was my first hack and first love at the new yard. Here’s a pic of the old gal from last summer:

Frankie is a proper Jekyll and Hyde mare. Some days she is like a greyhound out of the traps, and there’s little you can do but go with her. I love her when she’s like this, because she’s small enough to gallop to keep up with bigger horses’ canters; you can end up with a faster feeling ride, while everyone else complains that they never got out of canter. Then, there is Crankie – the lazy, irritable mare who will not listen to a damn word you say, no matter how serious she knows you are. The last time I rode her, I had Crankie Cob – she smashed my left foot into the old stonework on the railway line and under the bridges. I had my left leg on, and had my right hand almost on her bit to move her to the right – she still didn’t budge, and I was sure my foot was going to be facing the wrong way round by the time she was done. I find her funny when she’s a grump, and have no qualms about chasing her to speed her up; wrestling with her is considerably less fun however! No matter what mood’s she’s in though, she’s still top dog, so bucks and kicks out quite a lot, and has her opinions as a Welsh mountain pony about which line is the best to ride. I know her well enough to manage her though, whereas someone unfamiliar with her did fall off a few hacks ago, as she pretty much scraped them off under a tree. She is a minx like that!

Having spoken about riding out with family members with Irene and Marie only this week (the horse’s relatives btw, not our own), both of Frankie’s sons were on the hack – Finlay was immediately in front of us, and Flynn was at the end of the queue of about 14 of us. L called it a mini-Common Ride, and that’s what it felt like. We even waved and cheered like the official party going through town!

From the moment we set off, Frankie felt alive. I knew I had my Turbo Cob, and could not have been happier about it! I also forgot just how comfortable I am on a solid 14.2hh – I was able to trot with my backside scarcely leaving the saddle (your bum should leave the saddle but not your breeches and all that), I could sit her gallop as well as her canter. Despite us going down some of my least favourite hills, I never had the “I hate going downhill!” feeling. Frankie feels cut out for it, and I feel like a part of her when I ride her, rather than merely sat on top of her.

Frankie blasted uphill on our first canter, and I had to hold her to stop over-taking on our second. She was pushing to get the space to gallop, and I was grinning like a Cheshire cat. I’ve never ridden her along the back route before, but we took it today, and she felt more amazing up the second, steeper hill than any other horse I’ve been on, from the giant Hutch, to speedy Tom. I was really looking forward to the long, fast canter on the farmer’s vehicle path, but it wasn’t to be. While going past cows, a mare in front suddenly shied left and shook off her rider. She’d made it ¾ way past the cows, and they hadn’t moved or mooed: it was so sudden and unpredicted, we actually thought there might be an adder in the grass! Sadly, it was her rider’s first fall in 27years, and it took her some time to get up. I thought we’d actually need the air ambulance to come in, just because of the remoteness and relief of our location.

After a wait, the rider said she had a really sore shoulder, but felt okay to ride to a meeting point to be taken back to the yard. I was just so glad that she was okay! Finlay’s rider is a doctor, and was looking after her. We had a steep hill that we needed to descend on a curve, and the doc walked her down it. I therefore had my first experience of riding and leading   – riding a mother, and leading her son. Going downhill on a single-file track with a pony behind your kicking mare was not something I relished the idea of, but Finlay lead like a lamb. Frankie also behaved herself until we got onto the flat, when she started to eat the grass, and then she kicked Finlay. Turns out she’s a moody b*tch no matter who’s behind her, even her son! She is also ballsy: Finlay was backing away as the cows were coming to investigate us, as we’d been stood for 5mins in front of them. I had to switch hands to keep a good hold on Finlay who wanted to be further back. Frankie however stood her ground, and saw the cows off by putting her ears back and flashing her teeth. They ran backwards, and Frankie went back to munching. What a total dude she is! Nothing gets the upper hand of that old girl J

The lady who fell put her brave pants on, and said that she wanted to do the farm track canter. She was riding Cha Cha to prepare for a Common Ride on her, and she knew she needed it for her confidence. While L was on a fast horse and usually lets us rip along here, we were told to take it steady. I had little TB Nonny in front of me, so being slower wouldn’t be an issue. Well, at least it shouldn’t…

As usual, Frankie worked out that she could gallop while Nonny cantered, and she tried to take off with me. While I’m happy at that speed and Nonny would have been okay with us close behind him, I did not want to have to do any sudden braking should it be required; Frankie is a total pro at doing a reining-style sliding stop from gallop! She fought me, but then submitted: she held a canter at a good distance. When we fell back a bit, I put my leg on and she went for it, coming back to the speed I asked her when we closed the gap somewhat. She was glorious – keen to go, but totally adjustable. She was being the best of all the possible Frankies I have ever seen! I could have kissed her J

For the next canter, the order of horses changed, and Frankie lost a bit of her fire: she was happy to fall behind, and wasn’t giving me an extra gear when I put my leg on. We fell quite a way behind Nonny the TB, but still had kept all the other ponies behind us. She hadn’t been slow by any means, just slower; I did wonder if her enemy Honey behind her earlier helped to put some ants in her pants. Still, I felt for the rider behind my kicking horse, so wasn’t going to ask to put Frankie back in front of Honey. With such long waits, we couldn’t get out to the railway line, so only had one more canter in the end – up the big hill past the fields, a route that we normally only ever come down. Frankie took it on, and felt amazing. She is an old lady though (early 20s I think), and doesn’t Common Ride, and her fitness showed once we got over half way – I put my leg on in case she was playing me, and I felt her try for me, but she didn’t have enough in the tank to increase the speed of her canter. She did try to take me into her field though, the little rotter, but I know enough to ride her on a short rein and be firm with her. I let my little snotterbox eat when she got the top – she earned it. I could hear the difference in breathing between herself, and the similarly built but fitter Hero, who does do Common Rides. She needed a break while the rest of the ride caught up with us!

All in all, Frankie was absolutely everything that I needed that day. I needed to relax, to test a few boundaries in terms of speed, to feel glued on, and to buoy my confidence. I enjoyed Frankie’s attempts to gallop off, even though events meant we only ever kept a relatively gentle pace (22mph top speed on my hack tracker). We’d clambered down hills and did what felt like an XC off-track diversion to get around a fallen tree and avoid the cows on the way home. I had remembered that when I feel even on a horse, and am comfortable with their paces, that I am balanced and totally secure. I felt as safe as houses! I had the same feeling I had last summer: that I wished Frankie was a Common Riding horse, as I’d take her in a heart beat. However, I then had a flash: why not Finlay? If your hack has accidentally split in two because of a slow pony, 9/10 it is Finlay; he can be the laziest pony I know. However, his rider today was someone who normally rides Hugo, and only likes fast horses. Now that Finlay didn’t have a novice on his back, and had someone that wanted to go, I saw a turn of speed that I never expected Finlay to have! If he rides like his mother in terms of his paces, I actually think he’d be a much more comfortable Common Riding horse than Abbie, who tosses her head and is a bit bouncy because her action is quite upright. I’d always written off Frankie’s sons before, as the ride leaders complain that they’re slow. I’ve now seen that, for Finlay at least, that’s just a side-effect of his kind nature making him suitable for novice riders. He proved it today, and at the race track when I rode Jeffry – Finlay can really move. Now I have a dilemma: I am hacking on Sunday, and Common Riding on Monday. Do I ask for Abbie to try and find the sweet spot of her stirrups, or do I try Finlay as a potential replacement for other Common Rides? Perhaps YO will take the choice away from me, as there’s a big Common Ride on Saturday (so big each rider needs two horses to complete it), so there won’t be a lot of choice on Sunday. Either way, I can’t wait – my anticipatory smile, rather than nerves, has returned!

My friend also found an action photo of my first Common ride. I'm the penultimate rider in this queue (2nd from the left):