Report: Joe Clapson
Pictures: Graeme Main

STOOD in the middle of a rain-soaked stable yard dressed in skin-tight jodhpurs while peering up at a giant equine, I was tempted to about-turn and run for safety.

Weeks prior to climbing into a pair of knee-high riding boots I had been happy to accept the challenge set by Colchester Garrison Saddle Club to “just come along and see if you can jump a fence”.

But that was over the phone, without being confronted with Lewis, the 17.1 hands high (hh) competition horse, which had been enlisted as my non-trusting steed for the day.

Cat Lewis, yard manager at the saddle club, showed me around the outstanding facilities at the site and introduced me to the horses.

I thought Carmen the 25-year-old long-haired pony looked perfect for me, but apparently she was more than happy to be left alone in her snow-covered field.

“We’ve got 62 horses here with every standard from Fiesta to Ferrari so we can cater for everyone,” said Cat.

“Lewis is lovely to ride but can be a bit lively and feisty whereas Max is more grumpy and lazy.”

I was informed that ten-year-old Lewis was plan A and 16hh Max was plan B, depending on how much of a disaster zone I was.

“I’m probably erring on the broken Skoda end of things and we don’t want to put Lewis to any bother,” I said.

Considering my experience with horses was limited to losing one in the woods while pony trekking as an eight-year-old, I thought down-in-the-mouth Max was my best bet.

“Let’s get Lewis ready for you and we’ll go from there,” was the upbeat – and unwelcome – response from Cat.

Images of a smirking horse watching my body fly head first into the floor flashed into my mind as we approached the indoor school.

The Saddle Club was based at Colchester Garrison but is now located in Fordham and Cat hopes to increase the number of soldiers taking advantage of the complimentary lessons on offer.

“We want to let people know that the Garrison Saddle Club is here and that on Wednesdays we give free lessons to troops,” she said.

“We’ve got every rank from private to colonel riding here but we want more to come and make horse riding their sport.”

Lessons at the club are given to serving personnel at a discounted rate of £17 per hour, except on “gratis Wednesdays”.

As a warm up Lewis was attached to a “lunge line” held by Cat before being encouraged to trot, then canter, in a circle.

After a few circuits the powerful brown gelding bucked his hind legs in the air, darted towards the wall, then carried on cantering.

In desperate need of some reassurance that this behaviour was the norm I turned to Emma Purmenter, head girl at the stables.

“To be honest, you would be hanging off if he did that with you on him,” said Emma.

Just the inspiration I was looking for.
It was at this point that I remembered how much horses like to crunch on mints and realised what an excellent bartering tool a packet of Polos would have been.

I could have promised Lewis the freshest breath in Essex but I did not have any sweets.

“Rise and trot, rise and trot, keep your hands low and heels down,” were the patient words from Cat as I hopped aboard Lewis.

The calm advice ensured that after a few laps of the pristine paddock I was gaining in confidence and happy to attempt the jump.

I lined my new friend up, kicked him gently and strode towards the fence.
He stopped short of the pole.

Rather unnerved by the blatant refusal to cooperate I kicked on again and approached our horizontal nemesis from the opposite side.

This time Lewis cleared the traffic cone positioned between the fence and the wall, a space I’m sure was narrower than his body.

“What’s going on?” I bleated.
Of course, the horse had sensed that he was in charge and was doing his best to ignore any weak requests I made.

With two failed attempts in the bag I was conscious that time was running out and my legs were beginning to ache.

I made a final request to the hoofed athlete and once more we charged, or trotted, to our destiny.

Finally my mount obliged and gallantly cleared the obstacle before going on to jump it twice more for good measure.

I brought Lewis to a halt and lowered myself to the floor in the knowledge that my legs would be sore the next day.

“He has been unbelievably patient with you,” said Cat.

The excellent staff at the saddle club are keen to teach more Service personnel and their families to ride and it is clear their tuition is top class.

“People think horse riding is elitist or just for officers in the Army but it’s the complete opposite,” said Cat. “Sometimes we have groups of paras down and they love it – especially on the weekend pub rides.”

For more information about Colchester Garrison Saddle Club go to www.colchestergarrisonsaddleclub.co.uk or call 01206 242210.