Northern Counties March

It felt like Spring had finally arrived for my weekend in Northern England, with the sun shining, warmer temperatures and horses and riders clearly relishing the spring like feeling.

Saturday 9 March saw me paying a return visit to Broomhill Equestrian, Clitheroe, Lancashire, where I had mainly existing clients prepping for the forthcoming show season, though a few new faces too.

There was the usual wide variety of different horses and ponies taking part. As I always say, carrying a side saddle is something that virtually all horses and ponies can do, but I particularly love to see veteran horses having a change of career and a slightly quieter life by taking part in side-saddle. One example of this is Lucy Jones’ lovely 21 year old coloured horse, Solo who has taken to being ridden side-saddle like a duck to water. He has had a successful career doing showjumping and working hunter. In recent years he has turned to showing, with him competing in coloured classes and veterans with Lucy and now they are all set to have their first season out competing side-saddle with Lucy acquiring her own side-saddle at the weekend- I think they’re going to have a lot of fun.

I can’t mention the Broomhill clinic without mentioning Jackie from Pixie’s Ponies who has been running my Lancashire clinics for a few years now. She is stepping aside from organising the clinics for personal reasons. I can’t thank her enough for all the work she’s done on these for the last few years and I’m sure all those of you who have benefited from her clinics, not just with me but with Lucinda Fredericks, Geoff Billington and Matthew Burnett too, will send their gratitude and good wishes to her. I will still be looking to run clinics at Broomhill though, so keep an eye out for the next dates.

I then crossed over the Pennines for Day 2 of my trip up North to run a clinic at Beverley Polo Club in the vast indoor arena there. Again, it was lovely to see some familiar faces as well as some newcomers. We had all size ranges from Jean on her huge Shire/ TB to Andie and her delightful, diminutive show pony. Aged 6, Andie was the youngest rider of the weekend and on her third lesson aside, she was beaming from ear to ear after having her first go at canter.

Great progress was made by all and a big thank you to Shannon Walker for organising the clinic and to Abby whose yard it is, for letting us use the fabulous facilities here, with Abby also taking part and having her second side-saddle lesson on her gorgeous horse, Seamus.

Next clinic dates in both locations will be available soon.

Penny