Hack diary
Charlotte Stillwell, the first of our new Hack diarists, lost her riding mojo recently, but she regained it thanks to a secret weapon…
Introducing Charlotte and Haffy, the first of our 2020 diarists
“ITOOK THE PLUNGE six years ago and bought my own horse for the first time. It hasn’t been easy, however, as I work full time in the motor industry, and the 6pm finishes and a lot of weekend working don’t leave much time for horses. I also suffer from Crohn’s, a serious bowel condition. I’m taking several medications to slow the progress of the disease. Fatigue is a massive side effect, but my horse is fantastic for my mental health.
My love for horses began when I was just five. It all started at a riding school in Cockington in Devon (I was born in Torquay). I didn’t have horsey parents, so I went every weekend with my nan. After a few years, I moved on to my first loan pony, a beautiful 12.2hh Welsh palomino called Dilly, who taught me vital lessons in horse ownership and also how to have fun. My family moved to Hampshire when I was 13, at which point I gave up my loan pony due to the long distance. Although I occasionally rode friends’ horses, my stints in the saddle were far less frequent.
Dinosaur by name
But that’s enough about me — now let me introduce you to Haffy, the horse I bought six years ago. He’s a 15.2hh Haflinger gelding who turned 16 on 15 April. His show name is Sylvester Van De Wulfhoek and his nickname is Dinosaur as he sounds like one when he neighs! His favourite things are cherry Likits and orange squash. I bought him from a lovely family in Croydon in 2014, and it was love at first sight. He knows when someone is upset, at which point he will nuzzle you and then stand still for cuddles. He’s like a furry therapist. Two years ago I suffered a nasty fall while working Haffy in the school at his yard. He spooked at something in the bushes, dislodging me from the saddle.
As I landed he accidently kicked me in the back of the head (thank goodness for riding hats). After the incident I didn’t ride for four months. I then discovered a lady called Lucy Chester on Instagram, who also has a Haflinger and who does amazing liberty work. We chatted and arranged a lesson at my yard. Lucy was incredible and we kicked off by doing lots of groundwork, most at liberty, to rebuild mine and Haffy’s trust and relationship. I even taught Haffy to lie down on command. I eventually started to ride him at walk.
Just over a year ago I moved Haffy to a lovely yard in Titchfield on assisted livery. He settled instantly and, after just a few months, something clicked and I wanted to ride properly again. I didn’t feel afraid to get on anymore and I discovered that I was in love with riding again. Result! Although we have stopped them now, the lessons really helped at the time and we’re now better than we were before.
Dressage rookies
Haffy and I attended our first dressage competition on 20 December 2019 at
Quob Stables, where we did the unaffiliated intro A class. We finished fifth in a field of 18 — our biggest achievement yet. I was so proud of our placing that I didn’t stop smiling for weeks.
Our favourite thing (other than eating) is to go hacking with our best friends. Hayley Brooks owns Tiff, a 14.2hh Welsh mare, who is Haffy’s ‘girlfriend’, although she only loves him on her terms — if you take Haffy away, she screams until he returns, and yet when he’s back and goes to say hello, her ears go straight back. Kirsty Raggett owns Indie, a six-year-old gypsy cob whose education under saddle has just begun so Haffy is the grown-up who accompanies him on hacks. There’s never a dull moment when we’re all out and we’ve nicknamed Haffy and Indie Kevin and Perry (from the Harry Enfield film Kevin & Perry Go Large). Guess who’s who!
All of this brings me around to Covid-19. Our yard is now on lockdown and I’m unable to see Haffy for a few weeks. Our hacking is on hold, but we can’t wait to share our new adventures with you soon.”