Horse Living List Update..

The horses have given me such a gift, they have afforded me the ability to still get out into the countryside. No other way could I have explored the places I've been, they are my legs to see this world

I thought it was time to update my Horse Living List. I was diagnosed with terminal cancer over Christmas 2022, I started treatment in February 2023, despite this 2023 was the year I properly got back in the saddle and started to rebuild my confidence.

I had seizures in early 2023 due to immunotherapy treatment and had to slowly rebuild my strength. It left me with alot of time to think whilst stuck in hospital for a month, what kept coming up was how much I missed being with horses. Horses have always helped me through the worst of times and I wanted to focus on bringing them back into my life, I was sure they would help me get back on my feet again.

I contacted the amazing Hannah’s Wilberry Wonder Pony who grant equestrian themed wishes to those living with cancer. I've always wanted to learn to drive a horse & carriage and they soon had someone lined up ready for my first lesson!

It was amazing, though I struggled because my brain still wasn't working to it's full capacity and I found it hard to remember how to tack up with the harness and how to hold the reins, luckily my tutor. Mark at Fenix Carriages was patient, as was my horse teacher Topper, and it was so much fun! When the lessons finished I felt inspired and so my Horse Living List was born.

I'd already ticked off the carriage driving, I then went on to tick off a few more, to canter on a beach on the Isle of Lewis, a Shire Horse carriage ride around the Dartmoor lanes and to go on a hack with Grace.

I spent time riding friends horses to rebuild my riding confidence and trust in my body. I loved it, special thanks go to horses Ernie and Tia who played a big part in this. Sadly Ernie died not long after my seizures but he played a big role in rekindling my love of riding. My passion was reignited brighter than ever reconfirming it's the horses I needed in my life to heal.

Years ago I spent alot of time working with horses on the ground, I used to help run a Dartmoor rescue and handle the feral ponies ready for rehoming, I learned so much about just being with them and noticing my and their energy. I trained in mindfulness practices and ran workshops for mindfulness in nature and around horses. I love being with them in this way, so I was quite surprised at myself in having such an urge to ride again, simply being in their presence has always been enough, but now I really wanted to ride again.

Through 2024 I've managed to tick quite a few off my list! The big one being riding an Icelandic horse in Iceland - just wow - what a trip! A piece of my heart definitely remained in Iceland and I would so love to revisit one day.

I also rode Nemo, a gentleman Suffolk Punch at Cumbrian Heavy Horses. It has been a dream since I was a child to ride a Suffolk Punch, I used to see the foals each summer near where I grew up and fell in love.

I got to make it to the Hickstead Derby again, as a spectator obviously....

I rode on Dartmoor one of my all time favourite places, and an Exmoor Pony on Exmoor. I rode two beautiful Spanish horses one through a river ride near Salamanca in Spain, another around the volcanic landscape of Lanzarote. I rode in the New Forest.

I managed to reback and ride Tigger, my now 20 year old Dartmoor Hill Pony who I've had since he was a 6 month old feral foal, even Grace had a ride on him! Tigger had been living with friends as a happy field ornament for years, but had to come back to me after his field companions sadly died. The timing couldn't have been worse, or better!

2024 really has been quite an amazing year, and I have realised why the riding is so important to me.

I love to be out in nature, I used to love walking on Dartmoor, around the Lake District, New Forest etc. but now I can't. With chemo most weeks I just don't have the energy. The horses have given me such a gift, they have afforded me the ability to still get out into the middle of nowhere. No other way could I have explored the places I've been, they are my legs to see this world in all it's natural beauty. I am forever in their debt for that, they take me away from it all, just for a while, and give me the ability to still trek the areas I love, and the landscapes I so desperately want to explore.

I still have many many more horse adventures to tick off before I can leave this world, if the list keeps growing I have to keep living!!

So for 2025:

• After the winter get back on Tigger and explore the area

• Cornwall Swimming Horses is in the pipeline and I cannot wait to combine my love for wild swimming with horses - what a dream!

• Cumbrian Heavy Horses - a beach ride this time!

• Visit the Knepp Estate and possibly do the Wild Horse Safari, depending on my fitness. I've always wanted to visit the Estate since reading Isabella Tree's book, and Miranda Hart mentions it numerous times in her book which has nudged me to get there - hopefully June next year.

• Can I add a brand new wish which I can't see ever happening but ... 🤔 Ride a Norwegian Fjord in Norway. After my experience in Iceland I just have a need for this too

• A training course with The Centre of Horseback Combat. I'd love to be more confident in canter and have a go at this.

• Ride in the Highlands, Scotland

• Visit Your Horse Live - it looked amazing and I want to make it next year!

• Have a go at Western Riding

• Another one I doubt will ever happen, but I can dream as much as I like! Horizon Horseback Safari Africa - no one ever said living lists had to be realistic... I could even add riding a unicorn if I wanted.

• More Dartmoor rides - with my beautiful friend Nat and book for Cholwell

• Exmoor rides - Pine Lodge - I had to cancel a ride just last week after getting an infection and being stuck in a&e for a day and then my bed! One to rebook ASAP.

• Ride in Wales

• Learn to jump.... I would so so love to do this but I'm not sure I have the time, money or courage to invest in it... but I'll keep it on here as you just never know - I managed a couple of trotting poles this year after all so maybe if I'm still alive in a couple of years you might just see me at the Hickstead Derby on horseback....🤔😂

• Ride a unicorn

Many of my riding wishes are simply places where I'd love to explore the landscape and doing it on horseback is by far the best and easiest way for me.

I am so grateful to everyone who has made these adventures possible, the generosity of friends, family and complete strangers has been incredible. I cannot thank everyone enough. Obviously all these adventures cost and I can't work so I'm very much reliant on the generosity of others, alongside saving what I can along the way. My family made my dream trip to Iceland happen, it was extra special as I went with my brother. In fact in 2024 he’s joined me on 4 different rides, he isn't a rider but has managed surprisingly well!

I have this list but am aware much of it is a pipe dream, but then I thought Iceland could never happen and it did....!

I'm very careful about welfare, I'm so aware that I may one day go to ride somewhere and not be happy and have to walk away, but so far thankfully this has not happened.