Sunday 13 November 2011

Back In The Saddle

 

..  for the first time this century.  But I should not misrepresent myself as a horsewoman, having  been on one barely a dozen times in my rather long life.  The last time was in Australia when a sedate ride on a sweet old nag blind in one eye with shaggy hooves (does that not say cart-horse to you too?)  proved  more exciting than I anticipated.  If it wasn't the fact we were at a 45 degree angle up and down a flipping escarpment, it was the ragdoll moment when she broke into a trot that caused me to smoke two cigarettes at once when I dismounted.

See here, I promise this isn't cruelty to animals.  This adorable non-judgmental Icelandic pony is terrifically sturdy and  able and willing to field twice his body weight of novice.     I  am sure he would have let me potter about the Land of the Midnight Sun on him if I'd asked. Skuggi belongs to my cousin Philippa and whilst somebody lent me a pair of gumboots, she lent me a hat and a lot of expert confidence-building advice.  Can't say I'm not proud of this picture.




Thrust the bust!  I don't know.. probably a bit keen to have a 'good seat'.   I really hate being under-dressed  and always wanted a proper  pair of jodhpurs, boots, hacking jacket, stock, velvet hat.  Hairnet. String-backed leather gloves. Whip or more properly, riding crop.



 
courtesy http://booksandmud.blogspot.com



This is the way to do it


Keen sportswoman, champion United States skier and best-dressed all round good egg Ann Bonfoey Taylor




Her hacking jackets had matching riding hats ohh


These images taken from Fashion Independent : The Original Style of Ann Bonfoey Taylor published by the Phoenix Art Museum to which her exquisite wardrobe has been donated. 




PS  I don't know if anybody is going to read this because I disappeared off the radar so long that I've have fallen off the plot.  

26 comments:

  1. Wonderful to see someone my Age just shy of 21 back in the Saddle as it's something I have been hankering to do lately but felt my time might be over now you have given me confidence to maybe try again, don't worry about the occasional Blog Post we are all guilty of that but you are in my Google Reader so you are on the Radar.
    Cheers from Jacki in Australia

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  2. Ah, you see, that's why RSS feeds are such handy little thingses. Someone disappears for an eternity and then one day a nicely illuminated little number comes up against their name and you know they are at home again.
    PP

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  3. I read it and am very glad to see you back in the saddle again! It's been too long.

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  4. Heartbeatoz, PP and Blue - well, thank you so much for noticing me again AND commenting. It's a really nice feeling .. again. xx

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  5. Tally ho! Are we riding out for good?? x

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  6. I am so glad to see you back again. I was about to even consider catching a plane to London to see if you were about. If I do, (go to London), I will. What fun.

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  7. Polskey, you're coming with me next time!

    Columnist, I was so pleased to see I was still on your list thank you. Would adore to see you in London. email me over possible dates if you decide to come.

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  8. Delighted to see you back! and back in the saddle again.

    xo

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  9. Back in the proverbial and literal saddle, indeed!
    We've missed you, dear Lady West.
    This was marvelous, only next time we need to see you
    smoking two cigarettes at once.

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  10. Meg, I can only say I'm delighted to be back.

    Mr Worthington, thank you. If I still smoked, I'd demonstrate oh! So
    sad not to be able to make those gestures no more..

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  11. Excellent form. I tend to get pretty good pictures on muleback, but only because someone has taught them to stand relatively still if a human is within ten feet. The problem is getting them to move at all. One way is to get my wife to walk ahead with carrots. My inner cowboy seethes.
    For some reason, in my clothes horse days, I amassed a bunch of traditional riding and hunting gear. I don't even know what I was thinking.
    Some friends of ours from Hertfordshire were over visiting, and we were getting ready to go barhopping. It was cold out, so I slapped on my wool deck cape (from Banana Republic).
    One asked "Are we going shooting?"
    I haven't worn it since.

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  12. oh rurritable, never be put off by people from Hertfordshire! Love the idea of your inner cowboy seething as your wife provides the mule with the incentive to walk on. Next time I'm in the States, may I come and make the acquaintance of you and Tammy and the animals? How brilliant would that be.

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  13. no -we're reading, darling!
    ArchitectDesign

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  14. You'd be more than welcome, Rose. Especially if you bring your watercolors. I've been working on a sort of parody of Balthus' "The Mountain". It's a real cut and paste job. It would be refreshing to at least witness someone capable of plein air work again.

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  15. Hello:
    Such bravura! Back in the saddle in more ways than one. What fun! Just a tad disappointing that you do not have the full riding regalia to hand since we should imagine that you would cut a mean and stylish figure booted and suited,jodhpured and capped, riding crop in hand. Perhaps for your next post?

    Welcome back. The Blogosphere is richer for your presence.

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  16. Hattats - what a very kind welcome, thank you! x

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  17. I would cease to breathe without horses. So glad you are back in the saddle. Come on over, I'll get you dressed. :)

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  18. Jennings and Gates.. I'm coming, or should I say 'I'll be right over to your place' thank you! That's lovely.

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  19. As an elderly 76 year old former horse show rider I can identify strongly with being back in the saddle. At the age of 50 I hired a guide to take me into an isolated part of central British Columbia on horse back - 9 days of mountain riding. I hated every damned minute of it. My rear end hurt so bad I would stand in one stirrup and lean across the saddle to releive the pain. Apparently age had deteriorated something essential to comfort. As a young person I rode all the time and never had amy problems. Now I guess it's too late. I've kept my show saddle in the hopes that maybe I'll find something to reaquaint me with the horse show world. I like your pluck. Keep it up, it's good for the soul. Ann

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  20. Ann, thank you for such delicious, raw honesty! I'll be happy if I get out of the safety of that riding school..

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  21. Welcome Back!!!!

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  22. You have been missed! My granddaughter took "English Riding" this summer and was very proud of her seat!

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  23. Graysonfavour - how very kind to say so. I just wish I had been able to ride from childhood and not be quite so nervous of horses!

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