Feedback
Although I had always wanted to ride I was 51 years old in 1997 before I actually had my first lesson and of course I was hooked. In 1998 my husband bought me my wonderful 17.2 skewbald called Tryfan (named after a mountain in Wales for obvious reasons) and I began the adventure of owning a horse.
To say that it has had its high and lows would be an understatement when I arrived at Ladysmith it was to be the fifth yard we had been on. I had learnt something new from each livery and every time I changed it was because I felt it was better for both Tryfan and I. However little did I know that the decision to join Rosemary Collins livery Ladysmith Equestrian on a dull day in February four years ago was to be the best decision I had made since owning Tryfan and I was about to join what was for me the very best yard I had been on.
Tryfan settled very well on the yard and it seemed as if he had always been there. He had had some sad times before I bought him and had issues with water and any movement near his head and ears. Jenny Hall vetted him for me and said with some TLC he would be perfect. For the first year Tryfan was on full livery and because of my personal circumstances time restraints where an issue. So it was great to know that he was happy and being well looked after as my time was restricted, looking back I don’t think that I rode more than 6 times that first year.
My life settled and time restraints eased and I begun to have lessons with Rosemary. As I have always been a nervous rider lacking confidence in my own abilities the first lesson was spent hanging on to the reigns and curled up in a ball but, my lesson awoke all the passion to be able to ride competently.
That lesson was to be the turning point for me and I began a real love affair with riding I went on to have lessons regularly through all the seasons the thoughts of my lessons with Rosemary got me out of bed on even the coldest of Saturday mornings. Rosemary has not only taught me to ride she has gently encouraged me to become a rider and owner explaining things to me as we progressed through all the disciplines. Standing in the school in rain and wind gently cajoling me with her calm tones and gentle ways that even the horses respond to. Last year we a had a competition on the yard just a small friendly affair and thanks to the help and encouragement I have been given both in caring for and riding Tryfan I entered and along with all the other people that Rosemary teaches we had a great day and although I did get a rosette for me it was about having the confidence to go in the school and carry out a dressage test with other people present.
There has been two very significant people in my adventure with horses, Jenny Hall whose comments at the vetting proved absolutely right with TLC Tryfan has become just perfect and Rosemary Collins whose help and encouragement with both riding and caring for Tryfan has been such an inspiration to me and helped me become a competent rider and owner.
We have a wonderful new school at Ladysmith with an amazing surface and full lights so we can ride in those winter months when hacking can been restricted. Rosemary was sitting on the fence of the school on New Years Eve and Tryfan and I walked over to speak to her and as we chatted Rosemary was stroking Tryfan’s head and ears and to me that says it all.
Caryl Roberts with her new horse Tara at her first hunting experience on boxing day with the berks and bucks draghounds.
