Harvey Smith, the Whitaker dynasty – names synonymous with show jumping.

I’ve marvelled at the way they and their steeds master the course and take the high jump – literally – with such skill and precision.

Seeing such skilled horsemanship at the recent Great Yorkshire Show spurred me on to get back in the saddle (not that I could replicate their expertise, but I could at least have a go).

Bearing in mind I was about ten when I last sat on a horse, I was slightly anxious about taking the reins again.

I rode from being three and spent seven wonderful years of my life around horses. I pestered for my own pony, but we couldn’t afford the land or the long-term upkeep, so I made do with regular lessons and borrowing a friend’s horse in between. Riding Jasper the Shetland up and down the unmade road where I lived was an opportunity I thoroughly appreciated.

Then I hit my teens and, with other distractions, I conceded my riding days were over until the recent trip to the Great Yorkshire. Seeing the steeds being preened for their performance evoked fond memories of my childhood hanging around stables, mucking out, grooming and tacking up.

Reminiscences of those wonderful times came back to taunt me when I arrived at Acrecliffe Equestrian Centre in Otley for my lesson.

I was nervous at the prospect of getting back in the saddle after so long, but my instructor, Fiona Everall, who hails from a family of accomplished horsemen and women, instantly put me at ease. With her knowledge, experience and expertise, I knew I was in safe hands.

Fiona and her family have competed nationally in major competitions. One of the stable walls at Acrecliffe is covered with rosettes and I suspect there are many more accolades at the family home.

Fiona started riding as a child, following her parents into it, initially as a pastime, now as a profession. Fiona’s mum, Anne, regularly competes in dressage and side saddle, and her father Bruce was an accomplished show jumper. His claim to fame is he once beat Harvey Smith.

Bruce stopped show jumping to nurture the next generation. Fiona has competed nationally at show jumping, dressage and side saddle. She qualified her small hunter for last year’s Horse Of The Year Show, and her 16-year-old niece, Briony, also competes at shows.

“It’s a complete life – there is nothing else,” says Bruce gazing round the stables.

Walking across the yard, I dare to ask Fiona about my horse. “Elise is an Irish Draught chestnut mare. She has competed at national competitions in both dressage and show jumping,” explains Fiona.

I’m conscious she’s missed out Elise’s height. “She’s 16 hands,” comes the reply. Quietly I gulp. My previous steeds were Shetlands – oh, and the 14 hands pony I rode at riding school. You can appreciate my sudden anxiety.

Then our photographer indicates he wants a ‘cheek-to-cheek’ shot – me and the horse that is! I apologise profusely to Elise, conscious of spoiling our friendship before I even get in the saddle.

I can’t hide the fact I’m totally nervous. Leading her to the indoor arena, I stroke her mane and whisper she’s a very good girl trying to get her on side!

Being a schooled horse – Elise was previously ridden by students at Oxford Brooks University, where Fiona taught before returning to Acrecliffe three years ago – she’s a placid and very good-natured mare who carried me through my lesson.

Inside the arena, Fiona asks me to check Elise’s girth to make sure it’s sufficiently tight so as not to slip. I remember that from my riding days, but I’m conscious of pulling it too tight and annoying her!

Clambering on to the mounting block, I climb aboard to dizzy heights. Fiona puts me through some basic paces to give me a feel for riding again and to establish the control I will need for scaling the jumps. Yikes!

I remember the position – heels down in the stirrups – but I’m having difficulty combining that with keeping my legs back. I’m trying so hard to keep the position, my legs are beginning to ache and we’re only walking round the arena.

Fiona instructs us to gain momentum for the trot. With a squeeze of the legs and a vocal command, we progress into a brisk trot. I worried I’d feel like a sack of potatoes on Elise’s back, but I eventually find the rhythm.

Fiona was extremely patient and a great teacher. She told me that perfecting the ‘flat work’ – the pace and timing – is essential to achieving a good jump.

Laying three poles along the arena floor, Fiona explains they are placed in related distance. “This takes some of the risk out of it, in as much as you know when the horse will take off,” she says.

Timing is imperative. Setting off down the length of the arena, I’m looking ahead to work out when to take the poles. Even though we’re only effectively stepping over them as opposed to jumping, we have to get it right. I’m counting on Elise to guide me through, and she does – wonderfully.

It wasn’t perfect, but then again I am a nervous novice – and even more so when I watch Fiona assembling the jump. It may only be small, but all the same it’s off the floor, and that suddenly becomes a real concern.

We set off again, gaining momentum for our tiny airborne leap. I can see the jump coming closer, then over she goes. We’ve done it and I feel utter relief that we’ve landed safely and I’m still in the saddle.

I’m grateful to Elise for her patience and being my guide and appreciative of Fiona for taking the time to put me through the challenge. It was an exhilarating experience and being back in the saddle

  • For more information visit acrecliffe.co.uk; e-mail enquiries@acrecliffe.co.uk or call (01943) 873912.