Grey Mare

What keeps us older riders reaching for the saddle, brushing off our horses and tacking up for yet another ride - even when everything aches and our energy levels are sometimes lower than a double bass? What keeps us middle-aged equestrians climbing into the saddle despite the inevitable bumps, bruises on older bodies, moments of doubt, and the sheer day-to-day slog of having horses? Yes, we’re talking about that undeniable bond between horse and rider - a connection so deep

For the first time in ages, I opened up the equestrian events pages and scribbled down a few shows I might enter with a young homebred mare I had then. And off we went. I’d forgotten how lovely it is to be out and about - how many friends you bump into in just one day at a show.