Riding horses is something i’ve always wanted to do and it’s almost taken over my life. Why don’t you go and find out more about my riding journey on this page.
- Horse Sports and AccessibilityHello readers, I’ve been to a fair few horse shows both indoor and outdoor over the past ten years! I actually started my journey with the paraDressage at the 2012 ParaOlympics which was incredible and probably the most accessible in many ways! And so far, not found too many barriers, although as with many things there could be many improvements. The last Sunday of 2019, my friends, myself and Bertie Guide Dog travelled to Liverpool for the Liverpool International Horse Show to take in a night of entertainment. In this post, I will address my entire experience as a blind attendee of this particular show and overall experience of the booking system and the arena. I do not affiliate with either the Liverpool International Horse Show, MS Bank Arena Liverpool or Liverpool council. These are my own thoughts and suggestions from a totally blind person’s experience. I booked the tickets back in June, making it very clear I needed accessible seating as I would be accompanied by my guide dog. I was also given access to a scheme to which my friend could be my personal assistant and gain access to the arena free of charge. We had all been to this event the first year it ran and I had been impressed but as the tickets were a gift I didn’t ask for anything specific in regards to my blindness so it would be interesting to see how things would turn out this time. I hadn’t received the forms and when tickets hadn’t arrived by the beginning of December, I contacted Liverpool MsBank Arena and they assured me the tickets would be on their way. But still nothing so I called and they had by this time sent the forms but I couldn’t fill them in as they were not in an accessible format. The customer service rep emailed me a copy and and I filled them in and returned them immediately whilst also confirming we’d pick up the tickets on the night of the show. I heard nothing from them except from an email saying my request would be seen to within seven days. we arrived Sunday evening, prepared to do the paperwork again but needed none of it and were handed our tickets. There was no mention of anything to do with the Personal Assistance programme scheme except on my friend’s ticket it said “Personal Assistant’. So that part had gone off without a problem! Once in the arena, we discovered we did not have accessible seating! This was quickly dealt with by a proficient member of the arena team but it dismayed me the one request I made had been overlooked completely. But to the credit of the staff, they realised the issue and quickly moved us to suitable seating and everything was OK. This could have been completely different and I was just very pleased the staff used common sense that a dog could not sit safely in stadium style seating. Where we did sit, Bertie Guide dog had plenty of room and I was not at all worried about him getting in anyone’s way or being accidentally stepped on. The one problem at many live events is no audio description is offered. Minus the Paralympic games, I’ve never come across an offer of such a service. Luckily, my friend will tell me a lot she knows I can’t see and in jumping classes specifically, I can hear a lot from the horse’s feet and the jumps falling. The one nice surprise whilst watching the first equestrian class of indoor eventing was it was commentated on throughout the rounds. This made it amazing for me! The second class of show jumping was down to my own hearing, which is usually the case, and although it’d be nice to have that extra info, I can work with it. And any bits I missed, the commentators spoke about during the post round briefing. Sunday night, we were treated to the incredibly knowledgable Jeff Billington who delivered his usual brand of generosity and light hearted Yorkshire gentlemanliness. The other elements to the show, the trial bikes demonstration and the Electric Storm equine stunt act, sadly were not at all described but I did have my friends to fill me in. It would be nice to see the introduction of some kind of audio description offered, whether on a prerecorded track or where the classes are concerned by someone who can loop directly through to ear pieces given to guests with visual impairments. . The miniature shetland pony grand national was also commentated although I was cheering very loudly so hardly heard the commentators. The event was incredible and I certainly didn’t feel that I had missed out. But it would be wonderful to see events do more to include their entire audience, throughout the equestrian sporting calendar. The shopping village was accessed by either stairs, escalators or lifts which covers all elements. It was not too crazy so we could walk around quite easily although we were not able to take it all in as it took us so long to find it. Liverpool MSBank Arena this year had it set so you had to walk outside to go back inside to access the shopping village. It took us a while to work out this fact but my bank account is slightly happier than I suspect it may have been. Although they did email out information, it would be nice for some team members to be a little more directive about where things are positioned when showing your tickets. We were very close to the collecting ring as we entered and left the shopping area! If I’d had more time I would definitely have liked to witness some more warm ups. If you are blind or visually impaired though, I would recommend going with a sighted person to this type of event. It’s very enjoyable to share the experience and much easier with working eyes to find food, toilets etc. I do believe the Personal assistance programme is designed for that very ease of access and it is free to sign up at this particular venue. Overall, a very good experience both from the enjoyability aspect and the access. Even with some booking hiccoughs there were zero issues for my guide dog’s access and the team were well trained on needs of assistance dogs. If the event could offer some kind of audio description for those with visual impairments, particularly around the classes like dressage and jumping, this would be a world class event for visually impaired equestrian fans! A great, accessible location in the heart of Liverpool, accessed by train and car easily, with accessible seating and lift access to levels of the shopping area which is a decent size but not too big. I would definitely suggest the booking system is addressed that someone needing accessible seating for a guide dog is as taken as seriously as for a wheelchair user and the application forms for the scheme can be sent in an accessible format. But thankfully, on the night, the team were sensible enough to move us to accommodate. This could have been much more stressful! I would definitely recommend and I will be hopefully attending again this year! Anyone want to come along?
- Reflecting On Riding 2019Hello Readers, This year has not been a consistent year where riding is concerned! April, I hurt my knee, then June had my ovary cyst removed, then did my first competition in August with about six lessons in four months before the comp but didn’t do too badly for my first time. Although, my dressage could have been better! Then got poorly again in October and now about to do another competition with very little prep. but I’ve definitely not felt i’ve improved where I want to. Although I know I have progressed in many areas, riding positions, walk, trot and yet my canter doesn’t feel it’s progressed at all. I’ve not hacked out as much as I’ve liked so hoping more riding will come along in 2020. But I would like to wish all of my equine buddies and their humans a very happy new year and hope we can all create positive experiences in 2020. Happy New Year!
- Can always Do BetterHello all, Today was one of those lessons that has to be taken into context. I’ve had an ear infection for over the past week or so and so not been so well. My energy levels sadly suffered greatly and my balance to a little today. All to be expected. I mounted Mr Shadow and we started with our walk and trot warm up. He’s so good off my legs that trotting, once in a nice rhythm is super easy. My instructor commented how consistent I was and how lovely my bending was. She just coached around more gradual bending which did feel amazing. Then, the dreaded words, “We’re doing canter work today”. Don’t get me wrong! I absolutely love to canter!!! Out on hacks! In the school, I just can’t get my head and body to work cooperatively together. My head says, hands stay down, my hands say, nope, we’re cantering, we need to move! my head says, legs squeeze, my heels yell, oh God we need to erupt from this position and send you completely off balance. I was getting frustrated today! I know my energy levels have been failing me but I am my worst critic and things I thought we had in hand just fell to pieces today. But then, we changed the rein, I was told to wind him up and leg on, off we rode! We did half a lap and went around a corner, and I was proud as punch! we had a few strides here and there after that so it wasn’t the worst lesson ever! I know next lesson I will come back stronger. Hoping to hack out next week instead of a lesson so let’s see how it goes! Thanks for reading
- Serious BusinessHello Readers, Last week, my riding instructor was away so one of the girls who takes out our rides stepped into teach me. She was a little nervous, never having taken me for a lesson before. I was to do some trotting poles this week. My ride was to be trusty Mr Shadow so we warmed up on both reins and I asked if we could work on my transitions. tr So walk to trot, trot to halt, halt to trot, trot to walk, and so many in between. We even tried a few canters that were very good to. This horse has a rather long stride and I was a little concerned I wasn’t sitting properly to it but my temporary instructor said it looked great! Then to the poles we went. The idea with trotting and cantering poles is to get the rhythm of your horse’s stride just right so they trot evenly over the poles. This obviously comes from you riding the horse well. It allows them to stretch to and is a great feeling once you get it right. So we tried it. First few times we were figuring out how best to get me centred on the poles. The young lady decided situating her chair in the middle of the poles at the far end of the school was how she could best help me. This worked for us too. Then she’d call when to ride on and we would go over the poles in trot. First few times we got the first two poles but three and four always got clipped. But the last few attempts yielded much better outcomes. I could really feel him stretch over them and felt we had accomplished a lot. Transitions were solid, I felt comfortable being taught by someone else and we conquered trot poles. The other thing I’ve noticed is how relaxed I am in the school on whatever horse I go on now. I figure out what they need from me and work with it. And the accidental canter whilst doing our trot work made me giggle a little because it shows how effective I can ride, particularly as he pulled straight back to trot when I asked. Now looking forward to the next lesson. Thanks for reading, Marie
- Let’s do thisHello readers, You all know that last year I fell and broke my collarbone. It was whilst I was practicing to jump. It was entirely my fault and so getting back on a horse caused me no anxiety. However, I did not trust myself going over jumps. Not until earlier this year did I attempt it again but it was just before my knee injury and I don’t feel I got much out of it. after my lovely lesson last week, and some fabulous, well overdue hacks out, I asked if I could jump again! This time it was to be on Mr Shadow! He’s a bigger horse but I find him easy going and knew he’d be forward enough to get me over the jumps. It also helped that i’d already technically jumped him during clear round anyway so putting the guidance in my hands was the only other factor. For those of you curious of how a totally blind rider jumps, I will briefly explain how my instructor and I manage it. I turn when she tells me, then a few strides before she calls ready, then I go into my jumping position and hold it over the jump. It works pretty well for us although I’m aware others have different systems and we’ll probably adapt this over time as my jumping gets more advanced. I jumped a pole a few times, then we went to a small cross jump. My biggest challenge was to get into my jumping position and hold it over the jump. Before and after seemed to be fine but I kept breaking. My instructor advised I hold onto Shadow’s mane a little for security just whilst I find my feet with jumping. This helped a lot and by the end of the lesson, I was getting there. I’m excited to pursue my jumping more and build on what I’ve already learnt. The one thing my instructor pointed out, i had not gone backward in my jumping journey. Despite the lack of doing any jumping really and my lack of confidence, we didn’t need to go back to basics which is really positive. Thank you for reading and until next time, marie
life with no eyes 