I bought my own horse and commented one day that Team Chasing looks like ‘fun’ it was then that Claire said “you should have ago”, “yes” I replied thinking I’m not that brave but I agreed that this coming season I would give it a bash (This season seemed so far away!). Christmas came and went, “February 17th is our first event, it would be perfect for your first go” they said.

All of a sudden February was here, entries were sent off and I was committed. I increased Kennys (my horse) work, he still doesn’t look as fit and ready as their horses but what the heck. The week before the Team Chase I didn’t sleep, I kept waking up thinking about big scary hedges and bottomless ditches. By Saturday when it was time to walk the course I nearly dropped out cowardly, “Its normal to feel nervous” came the reply.

I walked the course in robot mode; I just nodded and smiled at Chris when he gave his advice. Saturday night after a bottle of red and a packet of cigarettes I slept on and off dreaming about falling off at the practice fence!

At the event everyone was so organized, I just copied what everyone was doing, we started to warm up “I can’t talk right now” I whispered to Pauline our other team member, “You will be fine” she said, I just smiled pathetically.

I can’t even remember the start except the man shouting when you’re ready and off we went. Over the first fence just 20 more to go I said to myself, Kenny my normally placid and easy going horse thought he was racing again! Steady now I shrieked at Kenny as we cantered down a steep hill to the third fence, over the 4th and 5th now over a hedge with a drop “sit up over this fence” I remember Chris saying to me when we walked the course, “OH MY GOD” I shouted fumbling for the reins and stirrups. Kenny now definitely in racehorse mode was getting faster, we came right beside Pauline “sorry” I shouted “I can’t stop him!” Back up another hill now, Claire was in front of me. Oh no we’re going to crash if I carry on at this speed, what do I do now? With quick thinking and strength I didn’t know I had, I pulled Kenny round and circled to let Claire jump. Kenny then carried on but after realising he was left on his own he went up another gear, over a chair jump and then down another hill overtaking Claire on the way “Sorry” I shouted for about the 50th time that day. A few more fences then home I thought to myself, just hold on to him and we’ll be fine. The last fence came in sight Kenny flew over and galloped through the finish, I screamed with delight. We did it.

I can’t compare this with anything I have ever experienced, it was brilliant and when we found out that we were placed 4th it was just the icing on the cake and when asked if I want to do it again “YOU BLOODY TRY AND STOP ME” came my reply.

Special thanks to Claire and Chris Lees and Pauline Goodman.