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.