"What makes you attracted to horses? If you ride, why did you decide to ride?"

I started having riding lessons when I was 8. All I can remember is the smell of the horses and the tack. I was rather spoilt and had my own pony by 9 so I was hooked. By 10 I was enjoying hacks with friends on ponies, I can remember hacking to the shop and buying ice-cream and eating them whilst riding back, I also remember the sun on my body as we would gallop about.

At about 12/13 I started jumping other people's horses I would actually ride new horses that came onto the yard. I lived to jump and would jump any horse over pretty much anything - I loved the feeling of jumping the fear and exhileration as I rode at a fence, I loved the feeling of jumping with no reins arms spread out (like flying) and I also enjoyed jumping combinations (doubles/trebles/in and outs). This love for jumping continued after I got Ross my current horse at 14 although he was a bit calmer than the horses I was used to and calmed me down and looked after me.

I lost me confidence at 15, I think I just started to think when I was galloping on hacks "what if" he shied or put a foot into a hole etc. I also had a few falls jumping. After this loss in confidence we had another blow when Ross fell on top of me in a cross country accident. At 17 I went through a breakdown and I would skip school and spend all day with Ross - we would hack for hours just the two of us. As has been said when I am on him I forget everything, physical aches pains also seem to go when I am riding.

To be honest now, after almost 3 years of very little riding, if it wasn't for Ross I would have given up on horses. He is a big part of my family (I have had him 7 years now) and will never be sold. I am moving him to live near me (he is 150 miles away with my parents) and perhaps my love for riding will return as part of my love for Ross. For now being with him and enjoying time together on the ground is still wonderful and we enjoy the occasional hack.