THE ADVENTURES OF GINNY
slightly different approach to my usual write ups but certainly a common ground to which most of us go through at some point in our lives… whether it be equestrian based or in life in general.
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For me at the end of January I saw things from the other side. I was lucky enough to get a week away from the horses and instead of heading to my ‘GO TO’ holiday of a sea, sand and cocktails, it was off to the mountains with a lot of snow and an amazing group of friends. A ski holiday has never been on my ‘To Do list’, for relaxing and down time, but I was intrigued and excited to find out what the fuss was all about. I swapped my comfy pair of riding boots for what I can only say felt like 2 long slippery pieces of very fancy wood; also known as skis!
A 1.00am start, something I am more familiar with, saw the 6 of us head off to the airport. A couple of Bloody Marys, a great full English breakfast and off we went to France. Many hours later, in all sorts of conditions, winding our way up the mountain we arrived. The most beautiful location, surrounded by mountains and plenty of snow awaited us. Monday morning first Ski day. Feeling excited, nervous, anxious and continually thinking ‘What If…’. all similar feelings I am sure many riders get, I was completely out of my comfort zone!
Having skied for no more than 4 hours in total and that being some years ago now, the ‘What If..’ scenario was becoming very apparent...
“What if I can’t do it?”
“What if I lose control and head off the mountain?” “What if I injure myself?”
With my biggest and one of the most exciting seasons fast approaching, with a yard full of lovely horses, this could be a disaster! These feelings are something I don’t really think about day to day or event to event, the more common feeling here would be...
48 THE SPRING SPECIAL 2020
“ What if I’ve forgotten something?”
“What if I ride the wrong line and let the horse down?” “What if I don’t get the qualification?”
The event to event feelings I know how to manage and how to deal
with.This nervous anticipation for skiing, I did not. I was given plenty of advice on the build up to my first ski trip, all of which I hugely appreciated. “You ride horses, you will be great!” They said “You will find it easy” They said
“Just stick in your snow plough and off you go” They said “You must have lessons!” They said
Booked in for my first lesson on Monday morning, now how to get there… We ski of course!
Blue runs, this is great, I am getting the idea, this was once I had mastered the chair lifts, acclimatised to just how high up we are, oh and the small fact of clipping into my skis!
Mistakenly taken Red run, Now that’s not so cool.. Did I mention I am scared of heights!!
One hour later and a little bit late for lesson following several melt downs, many tears, generally feeling pretty useless but thanks to a lot of moral support and guidance I eventually made it down the mountain on a pair of skis and was warmly greeted by my French instructor!
Feeling very relieved to have made it down in one piece and incredibly lucky to have such amazing friends nursing me every turn down the slope in one continuous snow plough!! Making memories and life experiences is what it’s all about but as I was sat at the top of that red run, knowing the only way is down and I am the only one that can make it happen certainly taught me something.
It has made me more able to relate to just how it feels to be out of control, having no idea what to do, trying to make things happen but the body does one thing and the brain does the other. Unable to control your nerves and the general feeling of being terrified!
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