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Karien Redelinghuys

The wonderful feeling of delight was gone, I was perplexed and confused on how to get it back. I was at a cross road in my life and I had absolutely no idea which way to go next. The riding school where I had worked for the past three years finally closed down and I could no longer wake up early in the morning, filled with excitement at the idea of schooling, training and working with horses. I was no longer able to take flight on a horse and find comfort in them, I felt completely and utterly lost.

There are quite a few other riding schools in my area where I could have gone, but I stubbornly decided against going to any of them. I have been to most of them, and I had been miserable at them, some pushed me too fast or too hard with disastrous results. At others I had been picked on by bullies as I didn't have my own horse, at others although I paid for lessons I used to find myself plodding around the arena, barely doing anything, while the instructor was absentmindedly talking to one of her friends.

I wistfully started dreaming about those first few riding lessons of mine. I remembered that I had been so excited at the prospect of finally learning to ride that I couldn�t sit still for a week. I imagined myself riding a black stallion that fitted Black Beauty's description perfectly. We would go galloping on the beach, training for our big jumping competition within a week's time. We would break records that other's thought impossible: with my fiery steed anything was possible.

I arrived for my first lesson wearing jeans and school shoes. I was led to my fiery steed and was disappointed to say the least. He was a shaggy brown and white pony and I could barely see his eyes through his thick fringe (later learning that it is actually called a forelock). Instead of galloping and jumping I had been led around an arena, with the instructor patiently teaching me to ride. When I "earnt" the privilege of holding my shaggy ponies reins myself, he did prove to be a challenge to ride but I still wished that I could have progressed faster so I could finally ride my dream horse.

Isn't it ironic that I would give anything now just to see that pony again? Yes, I finally progressed to riding the "Beauties" of which I had always dreamed, but none of them could ever compare with that first, shaggy pony. I had jumped and galloped them but not one of their breathtaking gallops could compare with my first trot on that pony, "Tinkles".

It was Sunday the 10th of April 2005 and I was thinking about the good old days when a thought struck me, it was eight years (since 1997) today since I sat on that shaggy pony for the first time. On him I had learned at a pace that suited me and I was never forced to do something that scared me. I had been treated as an individual and there was a lot of time spent on creating my riding foundations. The riding classes were small which ensured quality learning experiences, I had made some wonderful friends there. If I had been so happy there years ago, would I be happy now as well? As the day progressed I finally decided to call Windy Hollow and I was surprised. The riding school wasn't the same anymore... It was better.

All the people that I have met there since are wonderful in their own rights, they quickly made me feel at home and after my second visit I already felt like I belonged there. It feels like I have a family there (a more like minded family where we all share the same interests). I have learned so many other things that other riding schools do not even think about. I have been given the opportunity to learn things whilst doing practical work which is really worthwhile.

There is a relaxed atmosphere and one isn't scared to ask any questions (no matter how dumb they may seem at first). The instructor has an infinite knowledge on any thing that involves horses and is prepared to help you with anything. It is probably due to her commitment and love for horses that the place is so fantastic and fun.

The ponies and horses are really well schooled which is quite different to the maniac horses that I have ridden these last few years. All the horses are happy and well looked after and they are also treated as individuals. It's wonderful to see horses arrive there frightened and abused who are turned into superb animals, using a gentle loving hand. It is also a joy to see kids with the same passion and love for horses that I had at that young age. Each person learning at their own pace, on ponies that suit their personalities, using the same riding principles that were used to teach me so many years ago.

My shaggy pony isn't there anymore, but I know, without a doubt, that the other ponies there will also give children pleasant learning experiences. One day, they too, will smile at their first riding memories which they will always remember for the rest of their lives, just like me.