Last term eight budding riders (Mrs Baron included) set off to further their horsemanship knowledge thanks to a generous offer from Rodbaston, in which they loan us their finest steeds for an hour once a week.

It was decided that since a range of ability was apparent in our group, the aim of the course was to put together a short sequence of military style riding.  So armed with boots, whips and crash hats we started in a somewhat haphazard style.  By the end of the second lesson we could just about keep our order from 1 to 8.  All was going well and instructor Sally Strachan was formulating an end of course drill sequence for us to perform.

On the third week it was all change, and we had a replacement teacher who prided himself on the fact that he hadn't had anyone fall off all term.  But Wolgarston struck and within ten minutes we had had two falls, two changes of rider and an impromptu race to the feed shed corner of the school between four of the six riders still on.  Things weren't exactly going to plan!  'Ben' didn't want to go forward and 'Wilba' felt the need to canter at every corner. But, thoroughly worn out and aching we returned the following week to redeem ourselves.

However the best was still to come.  Our task was to devise a military drill sequence that lasted about 10 minutes involving walk, trot, canter and a special sequence referred to as an 'inward twirl'.  We thought this would be something that with practise we could tackle.  We were then informed that the whole sequence was going to be performed to music and videotaped for reference at the college.  The accompanying music chosen was 'Riverdance'. So we set about to fulfil the task in hand. With Sally Strachan precariously balanced on the jumping box and the Wolgarston English Department video camera in tow, we rode the sequence out.

The video is now safely hidden deep in the depths of Mrs Baron's video collection, with all eight riders a little stiff, yet pleased at the outcome.  With this victory under our belts what could we do but plan the next course.  So it's all set for this summer when the 'Wolgarston 8' ride again!

Zoë Howard

Well I had waited 17 years... the day finally arrived when I was to put thousands of lives at risk,  you've guessesd it, my first official driving lesson.  Prior to my 17^th birthday I had been out on several occasions on private land with my dad. I can look back at those experiences and wonder how I still have a voice box.  They will tell you not to be taught by someone you love - IT'S TRUE.  On nearly every outing we managed to have a row - "Lisa more brake, Lisa brake, brake!"

"What...? Oh right, where's that then?"

Believe me when I tell you that I had a few near misses, and I hadn't even been on a road at this stage.  Little did I know that this was just the beginning.

I had my first lesson booked for 10:30am on my birthday.  I was really excited.  Lets face it, the sooner I could drive, the sooner I'd be free from public transport.  I was very scared at the thought of being in control of a 'killing machine' as my dad puts it.  I got behind the wheel with shaking knees, sweaty palms and a fast beating heart and I didn't get out of the car much different.  A little wiser and mentally exhausted, my driving instructor advised me to go out on the road with my dad!  This I dreaded.  Instead of
"Lisa watch out for the tree." It was
"Lisa watch the car infront, behind, coming towards you, the pedestrian, the road signs."

I was sure my head would explode, not only did I have to be totally vigilant, but I also had to remember to drive the car.  At about the 10th driving lesson period, I did my theory test and got a poor 30 out of 35.

 

It came to about my 18^th lesson when I heard the wonderful sound of "You'll be ready soon so put in for your test now." YIPPEE! I couldn't believe it, I'd only been driving about two months.  So on the 21^st January I was to have what I hoped would be my last and 24^th driving lesson.  Well the lesson could only have gone worse if I'd mown down an old lady, I was sure that I was going to fail.   

We drove to the test centre, parked up, got out and then came the tears.  I can honestly say it was the most emotional, nervous and yet exciting day of my life, then I met the man who held my future in his hands.  We got in the car and drove, I had to do a turn between the curbs and reverse round a corner, which both went well, then came the emergency stop.  I did it, but it seemed  like it took me a minute to stop.  I knew that I had failed.  We carried on driving, and it became apparent that the examiner was a great guy as he made it a lot easier for me, then with about five minutes left he told me to do an emergency stop.  I did it, but again it was too slow, so reluctantly I drove back to the test centre and waited, and waited, and waited.  I was shaking and sweating.

"I would like to be the first to congratulate you on..." that was all I needed to hear and again the tears started.  I was overjoyed, words could not express the feeling. I got home and celebrated with my parents, then I got in my car and very nervously drove to school, it felt strange not to have someone sitting next to me, it was very unnerving, and for the first time I felt responsible for my own actions.

Looking back it is easy to say 'just enjoy the experience, as you only get to learn to drive once.' It's been 5 weeks and 900 miles since I've passed and I've had a few near misses, but if one thing sticks in my mind the most over the last 4 months it's something my dad told me: "You only learn to drive after you've past your test.'  It was 100% true in my case. So good luck to all of you learner drivers, it doesn't matter how many lessons you have as long as you get there safely!

Lisa Reynolds