About a year ago (14th August to be exact) I went to look at two horses near Southampton a mare and a dark bay gelding. I rode the mare first. She was five years old and very green-in fact I could not canter her- her legs were all over the place! Then I rode the gelding but he seemed very behind the bit , having had experienced this problem with my now retired Vega I didnt want that all over again. As nice as he was I already had my heart set on the mare, even knowing I could hardly ride her at the time due to her greeness and big movement. I asked Debbie to come and have a look at her and ride her to see what she thought. Well Debbie had no problems with the movement and set to and put her through her paces- it was a joy to watch! Debbie agreed that India was indeed a lovely horse for me (Editors note  please read my version in newsletter!! )She is very quiet and easy to do and just waited for you to give her instructions.

I knew it would be a huge commitment on my part to learn how to ride India (- as I had decided to call her)So I booked twice weekly lessons with Debbie.

Steering , even walking, let alone trot,was a big problem,especially to the right. Anyway, as time went by the training progressed until the Spring. Oh dear , that`s when it all went pear- shaped! Due to the awful weather I was unable to keep up the schooling on a regular basis and India became a bit fresh and jumpy . I fell off- four times in all and hurt myself quite badly- and if that wasn`t bad enough I also had lost my confidence! Anyway during the weeks that followed, dosed up with pain killers, I continued my lessons but at this time I had India stabled at Gainfield for a month so that I could ride everyday in the indoor school. Debbie was very patient with me and slowly I started to regain my confidence. Then I had my first lesson with Adam Kemp who also was very sympathetic and spoke to me at great length about the falls and that it was not Indias` fault and I began to realise I just had to get on with it!

The trot / canter/trot  transition is progressing but I have still yet to canter around the arena as the pair of us are not in sufficient  balance. Debbie and Adam both assure me it will come...............

Editors note;This was written August 6th of this year- Dorothy has since conquered the cantering and is competently riding her all the way around the arena and more ; they are now busy preparing for next seasons shows!

Dorothy Maundrell