The Start Of the French Riding Experience

In the spring of 2015 I was sat in my car in the car park of a local barn where i was now living in France, trying really hard not to panic.

I wore my trusty jodhpurs (breeches), my most favorite riding boots - a pair of very scruffy jodhpur boots that i had had for years - my old, really old, half chaps.

My helmet sat on the seat next to me. This was the only piece of my equestrian wear that wasn’t old. I hadn’t been around horses that much to buy any new stuff, and in this moment, I felt pleased it all still fitted.

It was a rainy day, not cold because it was in the spring in France, Lyon, but grey.

I looked at the quiet barn, thankful that none of my friends had arrived to ride yet. Anxiety had reared up inside me. What if i fall? What if i have forgotten how to ride? What if… What if…

I had been thrilled to be included in the little riding group, and until this moment in my car, I had been excited.

I can’t explain what I was feeling. Why i was so nervous to do something i had at one point in my life, done every day. But as I sat there I honestly felt terrified.

Was I scared of falling? I guess, but not really.

Was I scared of not being able to do it? I guess, it had been a while…

Mostly, I think I was feeling anticipation.

You now that moment before you’re just about to do something very important. Something that means SO MUCH to you. I think, now i recall, I was feeling that.

A friend of mine pulled up next to me, her cheerful face greeted me and I felt marginally better. I took ahold of my helmet and got out of the car. As we walked down to the barn. I felt excitement take a little ground back over the anxiety.

The barn was a beautiful stone building that ran alongside a huge arena. The old building had a beautiful climbing ivy colouring the side of the grey building with a bright and cheerful green. There were little square windows built into the stone, each window opening to a horse stall inside. There was a massive outdoor arena to the other side of the path, jumps and poles tidily placed at the side. The outdoor arena had a huge puddle in the center so i assumed we would ride inside - or, i hoped we would.

The whole area was surrounded by trees making the barn feel very pretty, very lush.

The instructor, a young, tiny woman with slightly bandy legs told us who we would ride in a very blunt, very serious French voice. She spoke no English, or at least she said she spoke no English… The last day i ever rode there 2 years later, she let me know she actually spoke very good English! That made me laugh as over the time I rode there, I had many a misunderstanding during a ride - My French language had never been a thing I had been too inclined towards - even after 4.5 years…

Anyway…

Margot, pointed us to our horses, directed us to the tack room and asked us to get ourselves ready.

My anxiety faded a little more.

I WAS GOING TO GET TO BE TACKING UP  - AND RIDING!!!

Sounds so simple now. But then, It was wonderful.

I don’t know about other horse people, but I LOVE actually spending time with horses. The idea of just getting on and riding with no socializing with the horse, is just Meh, to me.

As I tacked up the horse  - a GORGEOUS - Piebald gelding, I was stupid happy.

I walked him into the arena and felt the anxiety rise, but i was with new friends, some of them had already been riding here - I was the new one to the group - So i just got on sucking up all my frightened feelings.

I HAD SO MUCH FUN!

Some of the women were total beginners, others were just learning to trot, only two others rode at a similar level to me. SO I had a wonderful time, staying at a very comfortable speed.

When I got home, I felt like a child on Christmas eve! I was so happy, I smiled as I recalled everything from the ride!

I realized that I needed horses.

From that week on, EVERY WEEK I rode with that group - though the group whittled down to just three of us - they, that day, Wednesdays, the company, the horses, the smell, the sounds - became my FAVOURITE thing of every week!