My first large-scale competition, held at Saddlesdane Equestrian Centre. I entered 2 rounds, came 5th out of about 50 competitors in one round, but fell off during my second round.
My first King’s Week Showjumping competition with Cupcake. We won 3 rosettes that day.
over the amount of stress I had given to overwhelmed with work and anxious myself, and I was worried about failing all the time. Then the pandemic came. exams. I was still tearful on the journey I could not go horse riding anymore to the stables but the because riding schools moment I got on the were shut due to the horse I knew I couldn’t lockdown. I became ‘Then the pandemic let my emotions get stressed out and came. I could not go the better of me. anxious from the horse-riding anymore By the end of the uncertainties and because riding schools my mental health lesson, I was smiling and laughing and felt declined. There was were shut due to the like I had recharged nothing I could do lockdown. I became my batteries. I was except wait patiently stressed-out and then ready to tackle for the riding schools anxious.’ revision again. to open, and when they finally did I got Fast forward to my final back on the saddle as year at King’s. My 6a year was not easy. soon as I could, and my mental health It was stressful because I was trying to improved. juggle four A’ levels, my application to vet school and preparing for interviews. Now I’m in my second year of the I was nervous about whether I’d be veterinary medicine course at the able to get a place at university or Royal Veterinary College. I still go not, since the chances of a successful horse riding several times a week and application were low due to the high recently started sharing a pony called number of applicants and limited Skye. I discover new things every time number of places available. I barely I see her, and I believe that anyone can had free time and I was always working learn something from interaction with till late at night. My work-life balance horses. Like us, they are all unique was not stable anymore. I was always individuals. 52
CANTUARIAN | 2021
Group lessons with 3 other riders, from left to right: Monet and Woody, Francesca and Jimmy, Cupcake and I, Charmayne and Sienna. We had a lot of fun together as a group during our riding lessons thanks to our great instructor, Jai.