HACK 1000 MILES
Every month our #Hack1000Miles challengers are in line to win some fantastic prizes. As a result, Pip Mead, Amanda Barker, Jackie Corsie and Claire Harper win high-vis neck straps from Equisafety. Paula Robinson wins a girth and Jess Mylroie will be receiving stirrup straps, both from Wintec Saddles. Congratulations!
September’s best photo
Fantastic Farndale
Sheep farmer Pip Mead snapped this picture on the North York Moors. The ears belonging to Archie, her Dales pony, can be spotted as he takes in the views on their 11-mile ride.
October’s best photo
Superb Shropshire
This gorgeous view was taken by Amanda Barker when she was standing on a high point in Mortimer Forest, Shropshire, close to Ludlow Castle. This glorious spot forms a part of a six-mile route she rides regularly with her 27-year-old Welsh section D gelding, Ben.
November’s best photo
Beautiful Balmedie Beach
Jackie Corsie snapped this atmospheric shot in Aberdeenshire while aboard her 13-year-old Highland pony, Orchid. This stretch of beach is on Jackie’s doorstep and makes up a section of a regular 10-mile ride for her.
December’s best photo
A moment of remembrance in Goldsithney
This glorious Cornish sunset was taken by Claire Harper during a ride aboard her 13-year-old cob, Archie, close to the village of Goldsithney on the 10th anniversary of her dad’s passing.
September’s top story
‘I can’t allow my fears to win’
Paula Robinson first signed up for the #Hack 1000Miles challenge three years ago with the 16.2hh Irish Sport Horse mare, Cheyenne, in the hope that it would encourage her back into the saddle after a confidence crisis.
“Rather than build on rides when nothing happened, I let my worst fears and doubts get bigger and bigger until I was worried even about getting on her,” says Durham-based Paula. “It was something I created, not the horse.”
Paula noticed that on the days when her confidence was at its lowest ebb, Cheyenne picked up on it.
“I suffer from anxiety and sometimes I think that she also feeds off me if I’m having a bad day. When I give her the sense that I’m good enough, she agrees and there is no silliness. But when I’m het up, she won’t do things. She’s a good leveller.
She’s shown me that riding is all about confidence,” says Paula. “She’s teaching me to shake off my fears at the door so that I can handle her without being on edge. She makes me step up and believe in my own ability. I can’t allow my fears to win.”
