New year new experiences - horse riding

January 3 2012 , Written by thediversetraveller Published on #DiverseTraveller.com - Women Who Travel, Write, Snap & Share, #Horse riding, #January, #January Jones, #London, #Mad Men, #new experiences, #New Year, #Ola Fagbohun, #Recommendations & Rants (tips, links and reviews), #Travel Beyond the UK, #Trent Park Equestrian Centre

I blame a DVD marathon of Mad Men. In season three, Betsy Draper, spends most of her free time horse riding. Why do I mention this, well Betsy Draper is played by the beautiful January Jones, and January is the month where I am at my most impulsive, basically anything is possible.

I get this way, because I spend Decemeber in the dark, literaly, lots of reflection about life as the darkness of early afternoons brings my spirits low, and then there is the mess that is Christmas. So when January, finally gets here, it's time to replace somber thoughts with crazy ones, especially is it entails a new experience. So I was in seventh heaven today, when on scanning through my emails, I saw a Groupon deal for a half-day horse riding. Now do you get the Mad Man reference?

Aside from watching people on TV ride horses, or standing next to the ones at Horse Guards Parade, London, I have never been near a horse, not to talk of ridden one, and to be honest I have never thought about riding one either. I am not even an animal person. But this is January, and the price was so right, so the little devil on my shoulder told me to book it, and I did with minutes to spare.

Faced with the confirmation page, reality set in, what had I bought? Before panic could take hold, I read the details again, I have purchased a half day equestrian experience for £39 at Trent Park Equestrian Centre, at a whopping 61% discount - kerching! That's more like it.

A quick canter over to the Trent Park Equestrian website informed me that ...

"Horses were once considered man’s best friend, but after the invention of the dog, they were re-branded as man’s eccentric, oat-obsessed uncle.

Proudly trotting out their status as a British Horse Society Equestrian Centre of Excellence, Trent Park is home to over 100 impressive beasts, all experienced in hosting hacking and riding lessons. The centre teaches horse lovers from London and the Home Counties, and provides activities ranging from cross country riding and pony days, to horse riding parties and impressive dressage competitions." Uh ah Mrs!

Thankfully, they welcome riders of all skill (or lack of) level, and before the lesson begins, my ability will be assessed. My half day involves lessons on a horse-shaped bandwagon, lasting up to three hours, and a learning session on caring for new pals, not that there is any room for a cat never mind a horse in my tiny Sheffield flat.

Thankfully, as a beginner, I will receive basic riding lesson, while watching intermediate rider canter, or "go for a hack" in the woods. After the introduction, assessment, and riding experience, all riders get a group session to learn about the fine art of grooming a horse's sleek coat.

The more I read about the day the more excited I get. I plan to book my lesson late spring, so I work on my wardrobe; it just wouldn't be right to turn up in a polo neck jumper, jeans, puffa coat and Ugg boots.

Picture: Inspiration for my horse riding wardrobe, the ever stylish Betsy Draper (January Jones). Source: http://aplusbinthesea.blogspot.com/2010

Horse riding website: http://www.trentpark.com

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I am dying to know what new experiences you're planning for this new year, have you been as implusive as me, or have you taken a more adult approach?

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