Jade feeling in the pink at a party
I’m Jade aka Mrs Woo (My dog is called Mr Woo) and I have owned my piebald cob Rosie for approximately 2 weeks, if you can’t treat yourself in lockdown when can you?! Rosie is 7 years old and currently lives at Woodville Equine Livery in West Dorset. I’m new to yard life having previously kept my horses at home and I love it. I also own a pony Mickey who is on loan to ‘the youngest member of staff’ at the yard aged 9.
I currently work as a funding officer for Guide Dogs and I’m home-based which works well around the horses and dogs (my other Shih Tzu is called China).
How did your horse come into your life?
Rosie was returned from loan to the yard. After a false start trying to find a new horse (I lost my beloved fjord horse Odin aged 35) the yard owners suggested Rosie may be worth a try. I’d lost all my confidence and Rosie has a very kind and calm nature. The RDA is also currently helping me regain my confidence at the moment. I decided turning the children’s story I wrote about Odin into a book and selling it to help raise funds for the RDA seemed like the perfect solution. A lasting tribute to my soul horse and a thank you to Sarah Lloyd Harris of The RDA. If it weren’t for Woodville and the arrival of Rosie into my life, I’d probably have abandoned riding and the story of Odin’s adventure would still be on the iPad.
Jade with her beloved Fjord horse Odin
How long have you been riding?
I was chucked onto a pony at 2 years old and rode until about 12. I had a nasty fall and wouldn’t get back on, until my early 20s when I got the bug again and was a happy hacker with Odin for about 14. I also love carriage driving.
When and where do you ride?
In Yetminster
How did you start riding?
I was given a grumpy Shetland when I was two
What are you and your horse currently working on?
At the moment Rosie and I are working on our confidence in the school, aspiring to a pub ride, although para reining looks awfully exciting.
Jade with her new Piebald called Rosie
What do you love about riding?
I just love horses, their empathy and serenity
What you would you like to be doing in the future and do you have any goals?
We are aiming for a pub ride and I’d love to try more natural horsemanship or even a bit of horse agility.
Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding?
Yes, regularly
How do you deal with them?
I’ve found setting yourself a goal, even if it’s small and then visualising it and committing yourself by telling others or writing it down really helps.
Your Top Tip
A good physiotherapist for both of you
The Final Furlong
Who would be your dream horse to ride?
Odin or Rosie of course
Who is your equestrian hero?
Amberley Schneider the barrel racer or Jemima Green the para dressage rider. Jemima took the time to put me in contact with Sarah from the RDA when I was on the verge of hanging up my riding boots
If you could have 5 people to dinner who would they be?
David Attenborough because he’s fascinating, Katie Piper as she is an inspiration, likewise Jemima Green the para dressage rider, Rick Stein to help with the cooking and Martin Kemp because he is my 80s crush
