No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. So said Winston Churchill, and I have to agree.
Sadly, I don’t get much opportunity to ride horses these days, so when I was offered a lesson from top showjumper Stephen Lohoar, I grabbed it with both hands.
Stephen and his brother Angus run Drumcarrow Equestrian outside St Andrews.
The centre, which specialises in supplying quality sport horses suitable for all disciplines, boasts 100 horses and caters for 30 liveries, with clients from across Courier Country.
It’s also home to the Scooniehill group of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).
Lessons are normally reserved for disabled riders, potential buyers, owners and a handful of local riders but Stephen was kind enough to give me a taster session on handsome Dutch warmblood Zack.
He matched me with 16.2hh Zack based on what I’d told him about my experience – that I’d had my very first pony, a tiny Shetland named Tansy, at the age of four, had competed in amateur showjumping and cross country competitions as a teenager, but hadn’t done much in the way of riding in years, aside from the odd plod around on my mum’s Highland.
We spent half an hour doing flatwork – creating bends by applying pressure with the inside leg, riding through corners correctly, doing half halts, changing diagonals, and maintaining an energetic rising trot. For anyone with no clue about horses, think of it as going back to basics.
It was a great refresher made all the more enjoyable under Stephen’s expert instruction. He was very encouraging, telling me: “If you were to ride three times a week, I reckon you’d be able to compete over a course of jumps in a few weeks.” To be told that from someone competing at this year’s Hickstead and Horse of the Year Show – said to be the world’s most famous horse show – was somewhat inspirational!
But of course, there’s a lot more to Drumcarrow than teaching lapsed riders like me, so a tour of the facilities and a trip out to the fields to meet three foals was a must.
It was love at first sight when I set eyes on the spindly-legged beauties, their dark eyes fringed with long lashes.
“These are all named after Champagnes,” Stephen, 27, told me. “There’s Moet, Lanson and Clicquot.”
Back at the yard, Stephen explained that a major focus of Drumcarrow is producing and selling horses.
“We sell around 250 horses a year – everything from quiet riding school horses to those capable of competing in Grand Prix, the highest level of showjumping.
“We have some home-bred horses but most are bought from all over the world, with regular trips to Holland and Ireland to see them. In one day, we could view 500 horses!”
As a hub for the RDA, Drumcarrow uses seven horses to teach disabled riders five hours each week.
“There are people with Down’s Syndrome, learning difficulties, autism and many have no core strength,” Angus, 30, told me.
“The horses are incredible. They’re safe and bombproof, and can’t be too forward-going or spooky. The movement of the horse is good physio for the disabled.”
The group is run by volunteers and they’re always on the hunt for more helpers.
While most of the riders are able to walk and trot, some complete dressage tests and others competed in the Special Olympics in London last year.
The centre also plays host to the riding clubs of St Andrews and Dundee universities, with around 70 students using the facilities.
“For some young guys and girls, it can be make or break if they can bring their horse to a place near their uni, so they love it when they find us,” said Stephen.
“There are also locals who bring in problem horses which we put through boot camp and sort out! Very often, it’s about building confidence for horse and rider.
“Horses are such fantastic animals and there’s so much fun you can have with them, no matter your ability. I’m so lucky to be able to work with them 24/7.”
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Drumcarrow was established in 1998 has been a BHS approved livery yard since 2002. Horses are the stars of the show, and a hot horse shower and solarium are available!
New horses arrive every week, having been personally selected and exercised by Stephen and Angus. www.drumcarrow.co.uk