Tadcaster February Clinic

A return to Hall Lane Stables at Church Fenton, near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire once again provided an excellent venue for our Tadcaster clinic this weekend- a big thank you to Holly Clark for organising the event for everyone. 

Having done quite a number of clinics in the Tadcaster area over the last few months, it was very rewarding to see a number of my now regular clients making incredibly good progress this weekend with a few "light bulb moments", and the feeling that everything is really starting to come together.

I also had a few newbies who took to riding side-saddle really well. Generally, it takes people by surprise by just how well their horses adapt to being ridden aside. As I always say, all types of horses and ponies can be ridden this way.

This weekend, Debbie was a prime example of this- she has been longing for a horse that she could ride side-saddle, having gone for lessons on riding school horses a few years ago. This weekend she borrowed her husband's recently acquired heavy horse and was thrilled to finally have a horse to ride side-saddle on- I do wonder if her husband will get his horse back!

Another rider thrilled to be getting going side-saddle was Sarah with her lovely chestnut mare, Molly, who she describes as being the horse with nine lives. Two years ago, Molly had two colic surgeries in the space of one week as well as having surgery for a hematoma which was pressing on her optic nerve, which made her go blind. Sarah's smile said it all when she was able to fulfil her bucket-list ambition of riding Molly side-saddle.

Mother and son combination, Steph and Max were on their third and second side-saddle lesson respectively- it's really encouraging to see side-saddle riding not only being for the female sex.

A big well done to all riders who I look forward to seeing continuing their side-saddle journeys at the next clinic which is booked again for 16th March.

Penny