Copyright irishexaminer
I’m imagining gallant gallops through the fields, instant soul-to-soul bonding, basically everything I’ve read about horses from my trove of fantasy books. I mention those tomes because they really are my only experience with horses: I’ve never even sat on one before. As a born-and-bred Corkonian, I’ve seen plenty of horses around my native northside but honestly, I don’t think I even graced the back of a donkey on a beach as a child. When an invite arrives in my inbox a few weeks previously, inviting me to an afternoon of horse riding at the five-star Mount Juliet Estate, I’m tempted. When I’m told that yes, it is beginner-friendly and people with varying skill levels will be among the group, my mind is set: I’ll do it. I confidently tell the Examiner Lifestyle team of my plans during our next Teams call, and I can see the panic in their eyes — and perhaps a touch of manic ‘this will go viral’ glee from Esther as she tells me to take lots of video. I don’t blame them; I did spend summer 2021 sporting a cast after I broke my wrist while taking pictures for a feature about learning to ride a bike. I assure them I’ll be fine. What are the odds of that happening again? And so, I find myself at Mount Juliet’s equestrian centre, kitted out in all the protective gear I could put my hands on in the changing room, and eyeballing Pepsi, who stands a considerable distance above the ground compared to all 5ft 3in of me. I’m gauging whether or not I’m about to intensely embarrass myself just trying to climb up in front of the group, some of whom brought their own riding boots and jodhpurs from home. Luckily, he’s led over to a wooden block I can use and I’m up and in the saddle in a flash. I sit up tall and confidently (more on that soon), hold the reins exactly where I’m told to, squeeze my legs, and soon we’re trotting along at a comfortable pace. That’s right, I’m actually doing it. Before we meet the horses, staff at Equestrian Centre share their top tips with us novices in mind and we are also joined by their ambassador, Cork jockey and champion National Hunt jockey Paul Townend. Equestrian manager Tara Kelly is the person who introduces me to the concept of ‘stickability’, which she says is a vital part of horse riding — literally holding on tight with your thighs and hoping you never slip off. “No one ever looks good falling off,” she reasons as I nod along sagely, thinking of my topple off that damned bike four years ago outside my house which I’m pretty sure all my neighbours witnessed. “Sit up and look like you know what you’re doing.” Easy peasy, I think, I’ve made a whole career out of doing that. Anything else I should know? “Use quiet voices around the horses so they don’t get spooked.” Aha, I think, it’s a great hobby for a soft-spoken introvert like me, then. As we trot out of the yard, one member of staff asks me if I’ve ridden before as I seem at ease in the saddle. Oh, how I sit even taller, assuring myself that’s certainly not something they say to put every first-timer at ease. We follow riding instructor Clodagh on a scenic trail around the estate, on road and off, looping through woodlands and along a river, passing the front of Mount Juliet itself before swooping back to the equestrian centre. The only challenge I face is when I sometimes have to half-heartedly wrestle the reins to move Pepsi away from chomping on weeds — he does love to snack on a walk (same, tbh). We pause on occasion to enjoy the views; I pull the reins and say, ‘Woah’. Yeah, I speak horse now. Pepsi and I cover the rear of our little group and I fall for him a smidge more when Clodagh tells me he always stays at the back of a group as he’s a covid baby and prefers his own company. At times, my fantasy dreams do come true: I occasionally nod at waving hotel guests, feeling like a hobbit returning from the War of the Ring each and every time. However, I steer clear of a dramatic gallop through a roaring river or muddy hillside. No need to push my luck, after all. I am genuinely surprised by how easily I take to horseback riding. My hour with Pepsi blinks by and it is only as I’m about to dismount that I remember to ask for a picture, proof that not only did I do it, but I returned with all bones intact. Mount Juliet Estate's new Equestrian Escape package is designed for both seasoned riders and beginners. From €270, it includes overnight accommodation in the Manor House or Hunter’s Yard, full Irish breakfast, and a guided equestrian trail across Mount Juliet Estate. See mountjuliet.ie. Read MoreDear Dáithí: My teenage son feels left out of the new family dynamic
