Linda Hall: Horse riding secret is out

Linda Hall, Assistant Editor, Hawke's Bay Today.

There's a new male in my life — actually there are two of them.

I've known them for about four months now and at first they were a big secret. When I was introduced to the first male, who is tall, dark and so handsome, I instantly fell in love but I was a little bit wary of him.

His name is Don and he's a 16-hands-high ex-racehorse — he's also the schoolmaster at Stable Hearts where I fronted up for my first riding lesson.

I had a horse named Imp when I was in my early teens. I've written about him before. He came off a farm and shied at everything, including the white lines on the road, but I didn't care — back then I was fearless. I basically taught myself to ride — well, at least stay on most of the time.

I love horses and when one of my grandies became obsessed with them at a very early age it all came back to me. Anyway, late last year she finally got her own pony so I decided to do something I've been thinking about for ages — learn to ride properly. But first I needed to get my confidence back.

I'd been to Stable Hearts before to pick up said grandie from Saddle Club so I had met the owner, Michelle, and she had also been recommended to me.

The first day I turned up I was greeted with a hug and a huge friendly smile.

After a few questions about my "riding" experience we went out into a paddock to get Don.

"Goodness, he's big," I gulped.

We took him back to the stables and here's what I just love about this place. Michelle didn't saddle him up, mount me up and start telling me what to do.

Instead the first thing we did was all about Don. I groomed him, talked to him and watched the way he responded to Michelle's voice. I might be in love with Don but you can tell who he loves.

Then Michelle tacked up, explaining everything she did, and still it was all about Don _ making sure he was comfortable and that there was nothing too tight or pinching him.

After half an hour I felt relaxed and at ease around both Don and Michelle.

Then it was time to get on. Oh boy, I just couldn't stop smiling. I was nervous though, it was a long way down. I'm not ashamed to say I was led around the paddock.

I didn't want to even attempt to take control of this big fella. We went back to the arena where I held on for dear life while Don trotted around in a circle.

At the end of the lesson I could sort of rise to the trot and couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Then it was untack, more grooming and my first lesson was over, and I wanted to come back the next day.

Back to the secret. My plan was to learn to ride and them jump on a horse, I had no idea which horse, and gallop off around the paddock with my granddaughter. She would be amazed that Nan could actually ride.

However, it's not easy to tell even little white lies to someone who knows you so well. I did keep it a secret for a good two months but when my daughter asked me if I could do something for her the next day (I had a lesson booked), I started stuttering and making excuses.

I knew the secret was out when she looked and me and said, "What are you up to?"

I had to tell — we had a great laugh about it and the grandie was so excited. When I left her house she said, "Bye, my horse-riding Nan."

Four months later I'm still having lessons at Stable Hearts. I have improved so much, even if I do say so myself — thanks to Michelle, Don and the other male I've fallen for, Jack (he's a horse, too).

These days I don't just go there for lessons, I go because I love just hanging out with the people and the animals, being outdoors and helping out in any way I can. It makes me feel good about the world.

If there is something you have always wanted to do . . . ride a horse, play the piano, bungy jump, learn to fly . . . I would encourage you to do it.

It's never to late to learn something new and it's so much fun.

■ Linda Hall is assistant editor of Hawke's Bay Today.