I have been around horses (on and off) all my life, having started to ride when I was three. I don’t come from horsey family, but horses have played a huge part in my life. I sadly don’t ride anymore for various reasons, but mainly health ones.
I really believe that riding and looking after animals in general, teaches children hugely important life skills. It certainly kept me out of mischief while growing up. There is something special about looking after a horse, training together and become best friends. Sharing so many adventures, whether is is competing or just exploring the local countryside. Before I ‘retired’ I was competing at Prix St Georges level (3 below the Grand Prix pinnacle) with my beautiful ‘friend’ Oz, who I sadly lost a few years ago.
So although I am going to try my best not to turn into a pushy Pony Club mother, I really want her to try riding and see if she likes it. Just before Christmas, Baby rode a donkey and loved it. I have been looking forward, so much, to her having the opportunity to ride a ‘proper’ pony. The weekend before last, she did! His name was Smartie and she loved him. At first she concentrated really hard, then about a quarter of the way round let out a big happy shriek!
I love that in the first picture it looks like she is really taking in the ladies instruction. I was tempted to put Smartie in the car and bring him home for her, as he was perfect! It was such a lovely moment watching her very first pony ride. Hopefully, the first of many. Who knows where she could end up, future Olympian (Oh I said I wasn’t going to be a pushy mum didn’t I!? …oops!)
Whatever happens, I hope she can find as much joy in horses through her life as I have.
I am linking up with the following fabulous bloggers and their lovely linkys.
Katie from Mummy Daddy Me for #OrdinaryMoments
Jaime at The Olivers’ Madhouse for #MagicMoments
Charly at Podcast Dove for #What’sTheStory
Comments 68
Aww bless her! This looks like fun and what gorgeous photos you managed to capture. Loving her face in the pictures, haha. xx
Author
Good old hubby managed to snap them. Thanks hun xx
Like you I started riding at 3 and also like you I don’t ride anymore although my sister is an instructor and trainer. We have introduced our little girl to horses very early on too at 5 months she was first on a gorgeous pony i rode when small, patches. I agree there is something so special about the bond between a horse and child, I hope they both grow up loving horses as much as we both have. #theordinarymoments
Author
Ah thanks, I hope so too. I am a Dressage trainer and judge too so hope she doesn’t want to jump! 🙂 x
So cute, she looks thrilled up there (and rather tiny too!). My eldest is horse mad – riding every week and helping out at the local stables – I’ve never been interested myself but I love seeing her enthused by something. I hope your daughter is too!
Author
Thanks, she really loved the donkey ride at Xmas, so I hoped she would like this too. She did, she was very happy x
She looks so cute. I always think it is a good idea to start things like this early, before they develop any fears.
#MagicMoments
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Definitely! She was only 9 months when she had a donkey ride and now 15 months for this one. I hope we can find her a pony to ride x
So looks so happy… Olympian in the making??
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You never know! 🙂 x
My daughter would love a pony. We all had our first pony ride a few months ago and we all loved it. I think it’s a wonderful skill to have. I hope baby gets some more chances to ride (looking at your huge smile in the pictures you loved it as much as she did) X
Author
I am glad your daughter enjoyed it. I was so proud of her x
Love the expressions on her face. It’ll be lovely for you both to spend time together doing something you both enjoy 🙂
Author
Thanks. At least she won’t have to pay for lessons! (I teach) x
Aww this is lovely! I’m a very “horsey” person and I want B to ride too 🙂 Hurrah for horses! xx
Author
Hurrah indeed! It is such a great (if expensive) hobby/way of life! xx
It is so funny how girls can be just like their moms. When my Daughter and I decorate, we have the same theme in mind and like the same things.
Author
I hope she will grow to love it, but if not then at least we don’t have to buy a pony! 🙂 x
How sweet! You both look happy. My daughter is going to camp soon and she will get to ride horses every day. She’s so excited! #magicmoments
Author
Thanks, Oh I hope she has a wonderful time x
Aww! Bless her! It looks like she had a fab time….
I miss horseriding…..The pony in the photo looks like my first pony! hehehe
Author
She did love it, he was sch a cute little pony x
aww what a fab experience! i love the pictures too, fingers crossed she loves them its a great past time
thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments
Author
Thanks hun. I hope she carries on loving it x
What a gorgeous post #whatsthestory
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Thank you x
Great pictures! You all look so happy 🙂 My sister has been teaching her children to ride since they were little.
Author
Thank you. We both had fun x
Lovely pictures – my 11 y/o loves horseriding x x
Author
Thanks hun xx
Oh, such a special moment for you, as I know how much riding means to you. She does look like she’s really concentrating there – bring on the Olympics, I say!! x
Author
Thanks hun. Yes I think I will sign her up already 🙂 x
She certainly seems to be enjoying riding in the photos. I hope you have lots of happy times together.
Author
She did, Thank you so much x
Oh my those pictures, how cute. I am going to admit I am not a horse person as I got bitten when I was small!
Author
Thanks Jen, x
Those pics are so sweet! I’m hoping to get my three-year-old on a horse (well, pony) later this year to see if she likes it.
Author
Thank you. I hope it goes well with your daughter x
I spent all my childhood at the stables – realy miss it!
Author
Me too! x
So cute. Emmy loves the idea of horse riding but gwts scared of them up close.
Author
Thanks. Oh that’s a shame x
Precious times and great to start young. Hope you will join me for Country Kids, so lovely to see a sport you love being shared.
Author
Thanks Fiona, who know whats to come for her and riding in the future x
Looks like she’s having a great time! I also read about all the advantages there are in children having pets and being around animals – learning to care and responsiblity etc.
#MagicMoments
Author
So many positives from being around animals, and lots of fun too! x
Look at your smile in the last photo! What a proud mom! I think that your daughter is enjoying the ride. Always nice to share something that we love to our child/children and them loving it the same way we do! #ordinarymoments
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I was incredibly proud of her, in case you didn’t notice 🙂 x
How cute! I agree with you that the bond with animals can pe particularly useful for children’s development. I also love horses, although I’ve not had riding lessons.
Author
Horses to me are majestic and magical. The can have a wonderful calming effect and can teach patience and so many other skills x
Adorable. My daughter has had two horse rides and loved it. I definitely would like her to do regular lessons when she is older.
Author
Ah bless her , I hope she keeps it up x
She looks so little! I would never have thought you could start so young but she looks like she is enjoying herself.
Author
I have friends who sat their kids on as soon as they could sit up! x
It looks like she might take to it. I’d definitely support my daughters if they wanted to ride.
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Fingers crossed! 🙂 x
Wow this is amazing Aby, and I had no idea you were into riding, it’s funny what you learn about people that you didn’t know before. I used to love riding when I was little until my early teens and then I had a fall and sort of fell out of love with it. Baby looks SO grown up riding and what gorgeous photos, they made me feel a little emotional cause I can imagine how much you will love it if you can enjoy that hobby together. x
Author
Thanks hunni. Horses have been such a big part of my life (I am a dressage trainer and judge too), that I would love it if she got as much enjoyment from it as I have x
Oh it’s so lovely that you can pass on one of your life’s loves to your daughter and enjoy it together. The photos of her on the pony are gorgeous! x
Author
Hopefully, she will continue to love it. Thanks hun x
Such a proud moment for you! She does look very comfortable in the saddle.
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Very much so x
How lovely for baby to follow in your footsteps. Hopefully she will love riding as much as you and be just as good at it. Some fab pics! x
Author
Oh thank you! She really liked it so hopefully she will continue x
She looks so proud. I used to ride when i was younger and both Isaac and eliza seem to have the bug as my eldest rides too and takes them along
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Ah that’s lovely that they can all share it together x
This is lovely! Baby looks like she is having so much fun and it is great that you have passed your love on to her. I am hoping to take Maxwell horse riding eventually. Lovely post xx
Author
Thank you so much hun. I hope Maxwell enjoy riding as much as Baby did xx