I’ve waited my whole life for a horse like Eclipse.
My parents were non-horsey … so I didn’t get to ride much when I was a kid. When I finished school I worked full-time hours while I was at Uni, saving every cent I had so I could buy my first horse.

Once I’d finished my degree… I felt the time was right. I had enough money saved to buy a well-educated and safe first horse, with enough to spare for a rainy day. But the very first horse I rode… was far from a beginner’s horse… and after hanging off him in full gallop for as long as I could… I finally jumped off… fracturing my humerus and severing my nerves. It took six months for my nerves to heal… and the use of my hand to return. My arm took two operations and twelve months, and as a result of the accident I lost my first real job, all my savings, and had to move home to recover. My confidence was shattered.

I didn’t ride a horse again for two years. And when I finally found my first pony I was so terrified to ride her that I used to shake uncontrollably when I was putting on her bridle. Even though she had a few quirks… we moved forward… and I finally found some confidence. But not even two years later, I made the mistake of buying a more educated horse which was totally unsuitable. I fell and broke my arm again.

I brought Eclipse as a foal. And even though he was young and I’d be riding less the two years… I couldn’t resist. As he grew… I rode a number of more suitable horses and while I had a couple of spills… I manage to walk away relatively unscathed. Until … about a year ago … it all went horribly wrong! I fell off my reliable mount the first time training cross country… suffering from a severely bruised my hip and whiplash. I later sold her to move onto Eclipse… who was ready for more serious work. But a couple of months later when moving into canter work… my once quiet young horse turned into a nervous nelly… was bucking me off. Again… I wasn’t badly hurt and continued to ride. But just two weeks later… I fell again after he shyed at nothing, this time breaking my arm for a third time.

Two months ago… I found myself at Karen White’s. Still in recovery from my broken arm and completely overwhelmed … I wouldn’t even ride my horse at the first clinic. She gave me a cuddle… and sent me home with a simple lesson plan. The lesson plan changed my life! All Eclipse was missing was some guidance. He is now a completely changed horse. After following the lesson plan religiously I returned to Karen’s for a four day boot camp last weekend. And we cantered for the first time.

The difference Karen has made in such a short period of time is just incredible. I now know I can move forward with my horse and start truly enjoying my riding for the first time in my life. And I’m so truly grateful.