At Gooromon Park, our Riders become part of the #TeamGP family. All our Riders are on a different equestrian journey, but they all have one thing in common they’re passionate about horses, and we absolutely love supporting their riding journey.

We are excited to be introducing you to some of our #TeamGP riders through our blog – today, meet Adult Rider, Bridget Clark. Bridget started riding in South Africa she has been working or riding horses since she was 8 years old.

Tell us a bit about yourself – how would you describe yourself to someone you have just met?

Hi, my name is Bridget, I am an adult rider at Gooromon Park. I own a beautiful Clydie x TB Gracie. She is agistment at Gooromon Park Riding School. I am married with two daughters, Candice and Samantha, who are both married, and they are also competitive horse riders. I am currently studying Psychology at Uni. We lived in the Middle East for 5 years. My husband’s company relocated us to Australia in March 2017, so we are pretty much newbies to Australia. We are hoping that we will be able to call Australia our home in about eighteen months when we will be eligible for permanent residency. Before relocating to Dubai, from South Africa our family owned a riding school/agistment yard of 25 horses on our property. Sometimes, I miss having my horses at home, but at the same time I have realised the benefit of having Gracie agistment

at Gooromon Park.

When did you start horse riding, and what made you want to give it a try?

I loved horses before I could understand that I loved horses. I started horse-riding lessons in South Africa when I was eight years old. My best friend was given a horse for Christmas and she let me ride the horse as she was scared to be the first to ride it. I volunteered to be the first one to ride her new horse. I was always game to be the first one to ride a new horse! I have been working with horses and riding horses pretty much since then. I have always had a keen interest and deep love of horses. I find riding, grooming and just spending time and being around horses incredibly therapeutic.

What has been a highlight of learning to ride with the instructors at GP?

The instructors are EA qualified and most of them compete at a high level themselves, in dressage, eventing and show jumping. This means that as a rider we receive top level instruction from well qualified and highly skilled coaches who understand and can empathise with riders when things don’t go so well or as hoped either before or after competing or even after a lesson. At the beginning and the end of each lesson time is made for constructive feedback, debriefing, feedback, encouragement, what I need to work on and what I need to change from the instructor’s observations and point of view. Every lesson is different, it is structured and well planned with the horse and rider in mind. The school horses are well schooled, they have super temperaments, and are well looked after.

What is one thing you learn at Gooromon that you didn’t know before?

Everyone is on their own riding adventure…with their horse and their riding goals. We all experience the ups and downs of riding at times, however, more importantly it is about learning from our mistakes, breaking bad habits and creating more mindful moments during our riding lessons to become better riders.

What are your riding goals for the year, or something new you would love to learn ?

I would like to work towards completing at a low level ODE in 2019 and participate in one Preliminary dressage show.

Who is your favourite riding school horse and pony?

If I had to choose a favourite school horse, it would be Jamokea, but Gracie (pictured to the right) wins hands down as an all-rounder (I am biased I think )

What would you say to someone thinking of trying equestrian for the first time?

As an adult rider …I would highly recommend giving it a go! It is a great way to get fit and stay fit…and get the joints moving – I was always told by a great instructor many years ago…remember motion is lotion as we grow older. Horse riding is a skill you can learn and have the most amazing trail rides as a family when you are on holiday. It’s a fantastic way of bonding as a family.

Give it a go you have nothing to lose. 🙂