Susan had kindly decked me out in a beautiful old tweed side saddle habit, provided me with an antique reconditioned side saddle and my amazing steed, a native connemara stallion named Coral Mistys Comic.
The Tara Harriers Hunt Club put on a wonderful display with their team of hounds and skilled masters. We had 61 ladies riding aside and a total of approximately 120 people out on the hunt as well as the hundreds of spectators that turned out to watch all of us ladies fly over the array of obstacles.
I set off through the woods, jumping each obstacle that crossed our path. But after we emerged from the woods about 15 minutes later my legs were burning, my abs cramping and my knee blistered and I've thought how the he'll am I going to stay on and ride for the next 3-4 hours!
But the inspiring Susan was riding along beside me and a few quick words of encouragement was enough for me to put the pain behind me and kick on across the fields.
Comic and I flew over the fences, ditches, drops and drains. I was convinced I would encounter a fall but I stayed on board and survived the 4 hours as we hunted across the Irish country side.
By the end of it I could hardly sit upright, hunched over from complete exhaustion. But I had achieved my goal and could tick side saddle jumping off my list.
So on the bus we went back to the hotel, all on a high and exchanging stories. But barely able to walk, it was time to prepare our battered bodies for the Hunt Ball.
A few champagnes to numb the pain and we were in fine form. Some partied hard, some turned in early as we had to back it all up again the following day over in Galway.
Sunday morning arrived too soon, tired and weary from the night before we all climbed back on board the bus and set off to Galway. The adrenaline soon kicked in as the country side changed and the thought of jumping stone walls kicked in.
Love Thy Horse Magazine 62