The Country Side: Horses for courses

Rae Roadley. Photo / File

Thanks to too many generous horse people to count, a herd of horses has filed, one by one, through my life since I took up riding again at the tail end of 2012.

By the sixth hunt of this season I'd ridden four horses. In the past five years I've had six at home - none mine.

Then there are the wise and kind folk who offer advice. Why didn't I buy a horse at the get go?

A herd of borrowed horses has filed through my life but now I'm riding Pony.

I learned to ride in my 30s, mostly in Los Angeles where horses don't eat grass and get ridden in arenas and on trails. Things are different here and I still have much to learn.
First up was sturdy, settled Allison whose vim her owner Mike often dialled down ahead of outings - a night on hay, a boisterous gallop.

When the huntsman needed a horse, Allison stepped up and Tane, Mike's kind bay mare, became my mount. At season's end, Mike had an idea - and Tane came to live here.
I learned invaluable lessons, but Tane needed a more competent rider, although no one said it quite like that - except perhaps Tane herself.

Mike had another idea but after a bout of colic, I was pleased to see Allison return home, again. She's trekked and hunted New Zealand wide. I've been one of the many who've been amazed when other trekkers say, "Hello, Allison", before introducing themselves to her rider.

Then Ngaire offered Rata. She was a bit over being ridden, but I gained her confidence. Our jogs along the beach and road went better when she was led.

Summertime. Sara introduced me to Chester and taught me to jump small fences. The first time I rode him around the farm without a jot of fear, I was overjoyed.

I loved him with the passion of a teenager so it hurt when my boyfriend had a meltdown. Turns out, at least with me on board, Chester doesn't do crowds: ie. big treks and hunts. Incidentally, no jumps at hunts for me; we 'gaties' take a less direct route.

This season trusty Allison seems bolder (or am I more timid?), while a hunt aboard Mike's younger mare Ally proved a touch too thrilling. The huntsman's Jordy gave me a lovely ride, but has important duties at hunts.

Then came another lesson. All these horses came into my life thanks to knowledgeable horse people - then I stuck my wonky oar in and arranged for an eight-year-old standardbred who wasn't being ridden by her busy owner to come here on a return-any-time basis.

Rosie was lovely, but too young and busy for me. I'm spreading the word, but no takers for her so far.

Now I'm riding Pony, a mare in her early 20s who's famous in Kaipara Hunt circles. Several people have owned her; more have ridden her. At her forever home with Jane she's deeply attached to Cash the Clydesdale.

No one can recollect Pony being ridden on her lonesome, but she and I have managed tentative outings. We've had a handful of hunts and are still getting acquainted.

Kicking back in his easy chair one evening, the farmer observed that finding the perfect horse was as difficult as finding the perfect man. But, as many people have said, there's no perfect horse just as there's ... Quickly moving on - a big fat thank you to everyone who supports my riding. I've been moved - to secret tears sometimes - by every act of kindness.