Category Archives: Sports and P.E.

The Guide To My Hobby

My hobby is horse riding.

I have been horse riding since I was three years old and I have done many competitions.

The first step to horse riding is you need a horse; you can loan, lease or actually buy your own horse.

What Would You Do?

Well I mostly focus on mounted games: it is my favourite. Mounted games contain speed, accuracy and teamwork (unless you choose to be an individual). For example, the race you always learn first is bending. The clue’s in the name: you bend through five poles up and down. It might sound easy but you have to go as fast as you can whilst steering your pony left and right through the poles. There are lots of other races like mug, quoits, sock, pyramid, flag, stepping stones and so on.

Where Could You Go And Find Out More?

The closest place to try out mounted games is the Warwickshire or North Warwickshire pony club teams.  On the other hand, a bit further away is The Atherstone Hunt branch (where I go).  If you don’t want to do games, Warwickshire, North Warwickshire and Atherstone Hunt branch do other disciplines as well. To find out more, you can go to their facebook page or their website.

You don’t have to go to pony club; you can start at a local riding school for lessons as well.

Horse Fitness

Of course you need to keep your horse fit otherwise it will be too overweight to be ridden. You have to ride your horse regularly and make sure your horse has food and water.

More About Horse Riding

In horse riding, riders can start from three years old and over. I prefer mounted games but I have tried a variety of different things like dressage, cross country, polo cross, show  jumping, endurance and I have enjoyed them all. Interestingly, my cousin has been a horse rider for ages: from a tiny tot to being chosen to represent England’s Under 12 and Under 14 Mounted Games teams and become champion twice! She has continued to improve more and more and she is now a phenomenal rider.

You will be surprised at how many people do horse riding. If you are a boy and is interested but is afraid to give it a go, you shouldn’t be because horse riding for everyone! In my opinion, and I think I am speaking for many other people, horse riding is a great hobby!

Many horse riders have achieved incredible things like Nick Skelton being Gold Olympian show jumper,  Charlotte Dujardin British Olympic dressage rider, William Fox-Pitt and Pippa Funnell Olympic eventers, the famous A.P Mcoy horse racing jockey and lots more.

Who Would Enjoy Horse Riding

Horse riding is for everyone; if you have a disability there is nothing stopping you from horse riding. There is an organisation (riding for the disabled) for disabled riders so don’t be afraid to join in.

I hope you give horse riding a go and ENJOY!