As a community, Norwich School recognises the talent that is widespread throughout pupils and staff alike. To celebrate this we have introduced a new blog segment, Who Knew, in which we find out about staff members hobbies, passions and talents.
Next up on this segment is Head of Classics, Alex Boyt, who tells us about her lifelong love of horse-riding.
How long have you been horse-riding?
"I started riding when I was about 3 years old. My cousin taught me on a very sweet little pony called ‘Dinky’, who everyone in the village had learnt to ride on. We moved to Trinidad when I was 7, and I continued riding. Sadly, I had to stop when I was about 15 because we moved back to England and it was too expensive. Not being able to ride broke my heart, it was the worst thing about coming back to the UK. Nearly 15 years later, on a cold and depressing January morning, I was feeling really low. Then I remembered how happy riding made me and I googled ‘riding schools near Norwich’. It has been about 13 years since I took it up again and, although it’s still expensive, I can’t imagine stopping ever again."
How much time do you spend on this?
"It is a well-known fact amongst horse riders that no matter how long you plan to spend at the yard, it always takes at least three hours to do what you need to do! I ride as often as I can, but it can be tricky during term time, especially when it gets dark so early. I am lucky that I can afford to have Annie on ‘full livery’. This means that someone will take care of looking after her on a daily basis, doing things like mucking out her stable and bringing her in from the field. Annie is what is known as a ‘good doer’, this means that she puts on weight very easily. When there is a lot of grass, I have to make sure that I exercise her about five times a week or else she could fall ill with something called laminitis."
What’s your horses name? Tell me a bit about them?
"Annie is an 18 year old Welsh Section D. She’s is a 15.2 bay mare, and stands at about 1.5m at the top of her shoulder. I have ridden her since she was 6 years old. Annie is quite a character: she can be opinionated, stubborn, she is incredibly greedy, and when she is scared of something she turns into a snorting Welsh dragon. I love her to bits and I think she is one of the prettiest horses I have ever seen but I am probably biased. About a year ago, we found out that she has lost some sight in her left eye, which explains why she gets so spooked by things on that side. Other than that, it doesn’t seem to affect her."
Why horse-riding?
"It is very hard to explain a single thing I love about riding horses. Part of the reason for that is that it is more than a sport (and it’s certainly a sport!) and more than a hobby. It is, in many ways, a lifestyle choice! The thing I love most is that when I am riding, or just looking after Annie, I do not think about anything else. You have to concentrate, it is not an activity you can do whilst thinking about other things. When I am with Annie, I don’t think about the marking I need to do, or the pupil I am worried about, or the piece of Latin I need to prepare. All my anxieties and preoccupations are pushed to the back of my mind and that means my mind gets a chance to rest and relax. As a bit of a control freak, I also quite enjoy the fact that I cannot force an animal who weighs over half a tonne to do what she doesn’t want to do, it is strangely liberating. Getting a horse to trust you and to do what you want is an extraordinary thing. Riding is also a great equaliser. It is one of the few sports where men and women can compete on equal terms.
I have made many friends through riding and we are all different ages and from different backgrounds, but we are all united by our love of horses and the sport. I also love my weekly riding lessons. As a teacher it is really nice to be taught! I often reflect on how great I feel after I have got something right and when I get praised by my coach. I try to remember this when I am teaching. Riding also reminds me how frustrating and demoralizing it can be when something is difficult to do. I think riding makes me a better, less stressed teacher! Finally, I am lucky to keep Annie at one of the most beautiful yards in Norfolk. I love being outside (even when it’s cold and wet). You see so much wildlife when on a hack and the scenery changes every day depending on the weather and the season. It is a great privilege."
What would you say to anyone who is starting out?
"Remember that riding is not about how high you can jump, or how many competitions you win. It is not worth comparing yourself to anyone else, because you and the horse you ride are a unique combination. Like anything, it is hard in the beginning (rising trot can be really hard to get at the start!) and it can be scary (horses can be unpredictable) but, a bit like riding a bike, once you have learnt to ride it is a skill you will have for life, so it is worth sticking at it as the rewards are amazing."
Do you have any future hopes or plans in horse-riding?
"Not to fall off!"
