Hi All

[DorsetMartin]

Hi, I've just found this site & am so pleased. It's just what I've been looking for!
I've had 7 lessons here in New York & love it even after coming off twice!
A little about me.
I've lived & worked here for 9 years.
I work as a Pre-K teacher in Manhattan.
Was married & have 2 kids, now live with partner.
I used to ride with my daughter 20 or so years ago & approaching 50 thought that it time I tried again. I have no idea why it took me so long. There is only one riding school here in Manhattan & it's a few blocks from where I work. Soon I hope to be riding in Central Park.
I'm finding it challenging to learn kind of like learning to drive a car (changing gears, looking at the rear veiw miror & ahead) So much to concentrate on at once.
I like my instructor Katie, she's put me various horses to find the one best suited for me. One I enjoyed a lot took off at a canter without me asking & I fell off in surprise. I squeezed to stay on & he took that as acommand to go! I really hurt my wrist, still twinges after 3 weeks!
Last week she put me on this huge grey, Casco, who has been on stage at The Metropolitan Opera & front cover of Vogue! He's quite old & can't canter now. Gave me the best ride ever.
Enough of me prattling on.
Looking forward to meeting you all.
Martin

[jonto]

Hello Martin
Welcome to the board. I started at 59, look at older riders thread you'll see I fell off to but only once yet! Canter's fun but do take care. Plenty of room in central park, suprised you can ride ride there, dont think they would let you in English parks.
John.

[DorsetMartin]

Hi Jonto, You can ride in Hyde Park, Richmond Park & Wimbledon Common! I'm looking forward to that on my next visit home.

[KBOC]

Heya Martin! (waves!);)

[DorsetMartin]

Hi KBOC, nice to see you here.
How's Dottie doing?

[Wally]

Whato!:D

You've joined the nuthouse then?:D :D ;)

Seriously not much is taken seriously here.

[HorseNut4Life]

Wow, when I grow up I want to marry someone like you!!! Haha, it is really cool of you to ride horses again. And I really respect that. How is it living in New York? I never pictured horseback riding there. I live in Ocala, FL. HORSE COUNTRY!!! Yeah! Well nice of you to join this site...hope you enjoy!
-Steph- :)

[liz--y]

hi,

welcome to the board

[KBOC]

Martin, over at EC I posted a note on our progress on the western board...

So what was that about you riding onto the cover of Vogue? :p

<----trying to picture Martin belting out Rigoletto at the Met from the back of a pretty mare (that knows it...);)

[jonto]

Forgot about the London parks Martin, hav'nt been anyware near for years and years. Would'nt let you round here, you have to buy a licence from the council to use the bridle ways!

[CityGirl]

Martin -
Don't know if you have a car but there are some other riding schools within half an hour from NYC that have a lot more to offer in terms of facilities. I'm actually starting to ride at Essex Equestrian which is in West Orange, NJ. It's accessible by New Jersey Transit & cab.
Claremont is nice but the facilities are very limited & it can be a bit much in the winter w/a ring that size & everyone trying to get a lesson in....
Good luck & enjoy riding - it's addictive but well worth every ache, pain & dollar spent:D
PS - Glad to hear Casco is still doing well! What a champ:)

[DorsetMartin]

City Girl,
No I don't have a car but have heard of other stables outside the city. For my current level Claremont is fine & being a teacher perhaps I'll be able to go early enough before it's too busy or even before work. They start at 6 I think & I can shower at school.
But thanks for the tip.
I rode Casco last week he was a great ride. I look forward to riding him again one day.

[Rebekah Simpson]

Hi Martin!

Welcome to NR! I love this forum! I too was very pleased when I discovered it and very impressed as well. I like how nice and fun everyone is. You'll love it here!

~Rebekah~