Can you believe that in 28years of riding horses I’ve never been on a horsey holiday. I rarely ride for ‘fun’, I ride to train and to compete, obviously I still have fun but it has a purpose and a structure. But over the last couple of years I’ve been learning that not everything has to be planned, perfected and measured. So last year I said yes to going on my first just for fun weekend away with my horse and three friends.
Roll onto this year and we were heading off to Field Farm Equestrian. We had a mish mash group of a Hunter, Showjumper, Connie all-rounder and Arab Endurance horse and surprisingly they all went beautifully together. Granted the Hunter always wanted to be in front and the Connie threw a few tantrums but all of them got on so well.
The riding on the beach was super fun and Roo was immaculately behaved for his first time, despite reversing at speed away from most waves. We didn’t even make it close to the end of the beach after 12km. By the end he was bravely trotting through the water and cantering with ease through whatever the sand threw at him, deep, hard, wet or dry.
I definitely fell in love with Roo a little bit more on this holiday, he’s so straight forward, he tells you when something is wrong, you select a gear and he stays in it no matter what is going on around him, he’ll go alone, in company, he’s good to handle, tack-up, wash down. So he may be the little grump of the group but he’s so honest and willing.
Beth Endurance 