“Well, I never thought that the day would come when I would be asked to write a blog and what makes it really exciting is that I can talk about things that happen daily in my life, which should make it a little easier.  If I was to say the last eight to nine years since I started to work as a professional in the horse industry have been eventful, it would be an understatement.  My life has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, so to be asked by H&C to write about my daily life seems quite bizarre - but here goes.

My Hetic life

As you probably read from my biography I ride and train Western horses.  My home is in a beautiful part of Somerset where my partner John and I spend every day working at our equestrian centre, The Mendip Stud.

The last ten days or so have been fantastic and very full. I’ve started some young horses, given lessons and tuition, cared for a litter of pups from our Labradoodle, run a Horse Agility Clinic and a Foaling course and been involved in the last demo on the Monty Roberts and Kelly Marks February tour.  Life is hectic to say the least.

Kisses from Doc Martin

Monty uses our horse Jay’s Master Copy as his show horse on his UK tours and it’s really great to be part of the show team. They are a great crowd to be around. 

Monty’s demo at the Hand EC was just awesome, not only because of the amazing turnout of 1600 people but also to see Monty on such great form. Martin Clunes was also there with his Clydesdales and he also rode Copy. I still can’t really believe ‘Doc Martin’ kissed me goodbye and promised he’d come and have a go at Western riding later in the year.  You’re on, Martin!

Riding Porscha and keeping Electra

I am now concentrating hard on the youngsters. It’s so rewarding seeing them grasp the principles of what we are asking and progressing really happily from session to session. 

I’ve been fortunate enough to be working with a quarter horse filly called Porscha that we bred and whose new owners have sent back to us to start her ridden career. Porscha is a real sweetie and ever so keen to work. So far she has taken everything that I have tried with her in her stride and is now happily hacking round the farm on her own as well as partnering with some of the other younger horses.

One of my other favourites is an Andalusian mare called Electra, and wow what a horse! She has been a broodmare for the last few years and in now knuckling down to work and enjoying every minute of it, I secretly want to keep her. 

The next ten days too are pretty busy with groundwork and free schooling courses, as well as new horses arriving for training. I am looking forward to the arrival of Spring too, let’s hope for lots of sun please and not too many showers.”