How to Excel At Being Average

Cherwell Valley Riding Club knows the value of learning. The team knows that it’s important for everybody to be up to date in their riding, horse care and knowledge to ensure we are all giving our horses the best life we can. So when the opportunity to run a course leading to a certificate in Essential Horse Care came up, we grabbed it! Day One The group met at our committee member Rachel’s house for the first session, where she had laid out chocolate treats for us all. The first thing we all did was go and see the beautiful foals she has! Then, down to business. Annette from BRC HQ came along to take some photos and introduce us all to the course (and kindly made us all a coffee) We all completed a short form to indicate our memberships (BHS, BRC, BD etc) and so that the tutor, Emma, could learn our names. The attendees were roughly half juniors and half seniors – the juniors being at somewhat of an advantage because they’ve been working their way through the Pony Club tests Emm...

Sidesaddle riders have always fascinated me. As a little girl I would imagine galloping over fields and fences with my hair and skirts flowing. It's possible I was born in the wrong century! So, when our local riding club - Cherwell Valley - started to put on sidesaddle taster session with the amazing Ginny Oakley, I leapt at the chance. Before these taster sessions Ginny asks about your horse type and shape, and your own shape and height, and takes along a saddle that may suit you and your horse. To start, you ride astride to warm up. This is important for your muscles and for your pony's muscles and state of mind. You don't want to be getting on wonky for the first time on a whirling dervish. Once warmed up, Ginny takes you to one side and fits a saddle to your horse. Because sidesaddles have a balance strap coming behind the girth, it's important to make sure your horse will accept this before getting on. So, once the saddle is in place you lead your horse...

Keep looking forward! Martin Luther King Jr once said:   ' If you can't fly  then  run ,  if you can't run  then walk,  if you can't  walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving".   He was right, though it's easy to lose sight of that in January It's currently mid-winter.  There is so much mud at the moment it's hard to imagine grass on the ground.  It's also hard to imagine a time when it's possible to ride in the evenings - or even to ride at weekends; or even to WANT to ride!  We've had strong winds, snow and ice and heavy rain lately whenever I've been able to go to Happy Acres in daylight, so my motivation to ride has been a tad lacking. So, I thought I would go through all the things that we SHOULD be doing at this time of year and try to kick start you,. dear reader, into thinking along the same lines.  Between us I am sure we can come up with a master plan for a successful transition from wint...

Equissimo In October I was very lucky to win a photo competition run by Equissimo on Facebook The prize was a fab bundle of clothes, treats and horsey gear which arrived practically the next day!  Even the cat approved ;)  As soon as the weather is amenable i will take a pic of it all in action - far too many jumpers required at the moment They're doing a brilliant run up to Christmas on Facebook with special offers galore - click the link to visit their page and see what top treats are on offer Laura Mary Art Christmas cards These are a must have for Christmas.  Beautifully illustrated and top quality and only £10.50 for 12 cards!  #supportlocalbusiness - click here to see what Laura has on offer this Christmas  Air Ambulance ball Our local vets ran a Ball in aid of Air Ambulance in November - it was great fun.  We all got dolled up and trotted out to Whittlebury Hall for the evening.  Nobody was ill, nobod...

Worth its own blog post Words fail me :D Not only has Mr Grumpy transformed me from a 'terminally terrified' person too scared to get onto a horse into a 'mildly worried' person happy to try almost anything - he has got us into print - TWICE in one month!!  Not stock photos this time either, actually about us! The amazing Equetech photo shoot is written up in December 2017 Horse and Rider magazine, and the SEIB BRC Quadrille Finals are written up in November 2nd 2017's Horse and Hound! Love him :) 

Averageness OK, so the title of my blog indicates where I am in the grand scheme - average.  It's nothing to do with modesty or lack of confidence, it's just the way it is and I am comfortable with it.  Why?  Because it means I can improve and my efforts are not for naught!  I may not be able to get over 70% at prelim yet, and I may still be a wet drip at jumping, but I'm trying and I reckon that's what it's all about Just because you're not as good as Mary King or John Whitaker or Charlotte Dujardin doesn't mean you can't get out there and have fun! Demonstrations Having said that, who'd have thought I would ever need a blog section entitled 'demonstrations'!  The word is defined as: a practical exhibition and explanation of how something works or is performed.  This means people will be watching us to see how it's done.  Blimey.  Tory and I are demonstrating pairs dressage to music at the next Moulton College Quest event on...