Learning to Ride

I cannot say I didn't aim high, reaching towards the skies, in 2007.

New Year's Day of 07 saw me on the Shira Plateau half way up Mount Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa and the largest free standing mountain in the world. Successfully reaching the summit made me realise that dreams can come true only if you reach out and grab them. Determination is the secret.

Horses have fascinated me ever since I watched the 1979 film, The Black Stallion. Since then my dream was to learn how to ride horses. The time never seemed right but 2007 was to be the year of achieving my dreams.

September 07 - Rather than starting with some riding lessons, I first did a Google search and after going through a selection of Challenges I opted for the Trans Andes Horseback Challenge, organised by the Princes Trust. Apart from the horseback trek itself, I would be visiting the Andes and Argentina. I would be killing two or rather three birds with one stone as the chosen location was on my travel wish list.

I had four months to learn how to ride a horse, build confidence on the saddle and become physically fit for such a challenge - NO JOKE! But having such a goal would drive me more to be successful.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays were dedicated towards horseriding - learning the basic techniques and gaining confidence by going on two hour rides. A fall off Jasper in the early days of training shook my confidence - big time I must add and there was a time when I was actually considering giving up.

Once again determination....and a very patient instructor, got me going. Rain or shine, calm or windy days did not deter me from training regularly building a bond with the horse I was riding - I would like to call him my horse but although I love him as if he were mine, I cannot call him mine.

The following posts are some of my thoughts whilst undertaking the Trans Andes Horseback Challenge.