As a sportsman and an entrepreneur my philosophy is all about progress and learning. Progress is so much easier with a team of people around you and learning requires teachers who can share their experience.
For me, the RDAI is about teamwork, learning and personal progression for everyone involved and it’s an honour to be an RDAI ambassador.
There are many heroes, from the riders, to the horses, to the volunteers that give their time week in, week out.
It is therefore no surprise that RDAI groups throughout the country are an inspiring place to spend time.
2020 is a big year with Tokyo Olympics fast approaching, but like so many RDAI members, it's about turning up, doing our best, having fun, appreciating our horses and progressing ourselves as a team.
One major disappointment for me with the lock-down is the total cancellation of horse-riding. They do not seem to have any Covid regulations to keep it going with. I hope they can move to the next re-opening stage soon. Then I can get back to Festina lente. Horse-riding has many benefits, both therapeutic and in terms of fitness. It can subtly work your muscles without you even knowing it, but you may over time find more suppleness in your arms and legs.
You will find yourself loving horses so much that you will want to ride them all day long. (even though they make a huge amount of mess and will ‘’bomb off’’ anywhere). I have not yet done the horse-show at the RDS and this was actually the year I was supposed to do it. Last year, I decided I was not yet feeling ready for it and would do it the NEXT year, but the Covid has been an unexpected turn of events which got in the way of what was meant to take place. I did, however, visit the horse-show that year and it was a wonderful event. We had show-jumping, people greeting the crowd dressed as horses (but up on hind legs and wearing human clothing) and we got to see a mother horse with its foal in their own pen. There were also great lunch options, but its more limiting if you need a gluten-free option. A small bit of gluten is okay, but when the people you’re with are also intolerant... actually being AT a horse show is more exciting than seeing one on telly. It was disappointing though, that none of the show-jumpers managed not to knock over any poles. Even if you’re not so into horses, I would still recommend seeing the RDS for everybody, if it were not for the Covid.