I misjudged Ella entirely. And fell off her too. My 3rd significant fall in late January.
She has been off work so in theory this was to be a regular leisurely ride.
As we came to the point where we turn left and head home, two riders were cantering towards us from the path ahead.
Ella certainly didnt want to go up there but instead of turning and walking down the tarmac road towards the yard, a route we have done dozens of times, she set off at a gallop. None of the things I have learned about stopping runaway horses seemed to work. I crossed the reins, I clamped my legs, I tried to move her to the grass verge but she shot down the tarmac and when I got to the place where there is room to turn, and tried to turn her, I fell off over her shoulder and she continued her resolute homewards gallop on her own.
I am thank goodness perfectly all right though I need to wait a few weeks and buy a new hat before riding again. But have never before fallen off in a public place and was astonished to have the police drive up and insist on driving me home or calling an ambulance. I wasnt allowed to go and catch the horse either. Someone was sumoned from the yard to catch my horse. I was told, that is the job of staff. Which is a pity as one of my few equestrian accomplishments is being able to catch loose horses
She has been off work so in theory this was to be a regular leisurely ride.
As we came to the point where we turn left and head home, two riders were cantering towards us from the path ahead.
Ella certainly didnt want to go up there but instead of turning and walking down the tarmac road towards the yard, a route we have done dozens of times, she set off at a gallop. None of the things I have learned about stopping runaway horses seemed to work. I crossed the reins, I clamped my legs, I tried to move her to the grass verge but she shot down the tarmac and when I got to the place where there is room to turn, and tried to turn her, I fell off over her shoulder and she continued her resolute homewards gallop on her own.
I am thank goodness perfectly all right though I need to wait a few weeks and buy a new hat before riding again. But have never before fallen off in a public place and was astonished to have the police drive up and insist on driving me home or calling an ambulance. I wasnt allowed to go and catch the horse either. Someone was sumoned from the yard to catch my horse. I was told, that is the job of staff. Which is a pity as one of my few equestrian accomplishments is being able to catch loose horses