Male riders to battle it out at riding school

A group of male riders, who had barely sat on a horse until a few weeks ago, are taking part in a ‘battle of the beginners’ competition at their local riding school.

Old fools on horses

The four men signed up for the Take Back The Reins (TBTR) course at Snowball Farm Equestrian Centre in Buckinghamshire, and have been bitten by the riding bug.

They have now agreed to take part in a competition, in aid ofProstate Cancer UK. The event on 10 August will see them jump a course of showjumps and ride a dressage test to find out who is the best beginner.

Alongside the ‘old fools on horses’ will be a5k relay race on foot, showjumping for Snowball Farm clients and liveries, horse and pony rides,a mechanical horse and face painting.

Rising splat

One of the men taking part is Matt Sobol whohas had recurring prostate cancer, but is now fit and well.He was already a regular face at Snowball Farm, as his daughter Beckie has lesson’s there, but had never ridden himself.

“I haven’t felt better physically or mentally since I was in my thirties,” said the 63-year-old. “I look forward to every lesson. At first I was a bit jittery, but now I feel comfortable on a horse. I have got my balance and like to challenge myself every time I ride.

“I want to start jumping already but have only just managed to do a rising trot rather than a rising splat, so I should probably listen to Natalie [Matt’s instructor] and get the swing of cantering first!”

Loving it

Also entered for the big event part are Jouni Sarjanen, David Sharp and pub landlord Sean Arnett.

“This is my first real riding experience, and so far I am loving it,” said Sean who had only sat on a horse twice in his life before these lessons. “Horses are fantastic creatures.”

TBTR, which is part of the British Equestrian Federation initiative Hoof, aims to support people returning to riding after a long break, or just starting out.