This story goes back
some years over three exciting episodes engaging on horseback. Everyone learns
by experience, some a little quicker than others. Carve out your own destiny by
paying attention to the rules of the game. Enjoy part 1 now.
Go it alone
“Your own
resolution to succeed is more important than any other thing.” Abraham Lincoln
At the start not everyone
close to you will believe you. They all know you too well. Create a distance if
you must, to be able to sustain your belief in yourself, but always protect and
take care of your loved ones first.
We’re in Durban on
holiday and when aunt Sienie tells me she would like to go to the Wild Coast
Sun, I have a vision of horse riding again in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary in
Swaziland. Before setting off for my first outride in many years I drop her off
at reception, telling her to enjoy a waffle and cream on me.
Life happens
“When
your foot is in the stirrup, you must ride.” Johan Kriegler
No one will give
you carte blanche at first. Respect their concerns and live with it. Trust
is earned.
It’s only me and
the instructor riding on the beach at the Wild Coast. The horses go into a
canter on the wet hard sand, but he insists on holding my horse’s reins. I’m happy
just to have the experience of the horse under my bum, the surf in my ears, and
the sea spray in my face.
“You must
engage in order to advance.”
When you’re stoked
up about a great new venture, talk about it. Putting your dream out there puts
you on the line, committing yourself to action and to reaching your goal.
Shortly before
Caroline returns to France we talk about horse riding and I say that would’ve
been nice. She says, “Sure, I can ride horses, it’s on my CV.”
Search for the fire
inside you
“You can,
because you think you can.”
Know your own strengths;
but as important, know and use the strengths of everyone in your team. Not only
learn from them, but champion them when they excel.
“This smells so
good!” Anne-Sophie says when we walk into the stables. With the horses walking
down the mountain trail at Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards in
Franschhoek she rides with her feet out of the stirrups, totally at ease in the
saddle.
Dress the part
“…stay in
sync with the event, with a sense of style and occasion.” Lungile Kunene,
Izembetho
Be aware of the
occasion and your part in the show. If unsure, rather be overdressed. You can
always dress down. What’s more, you’ll be certain to make an impression. Let it
be the right one though.
I’m dressed in
shorts and sandals, but my tog bag is in the boot. Anne-Sophie remarks “Oh, I
wondered how you would ride in that outfit,” when I re-enter the stables in
jeans and takkies.
Hold on tight
“The
magic lies within you.”
When the team
moves, stay in the bus. You’ve got to pick up speed when the project starts,
else you’re going to stay behind, or fall off.
I’m last in the
queue and Ray, the instructor, goes into a gallop up the mountain. My horse
follows suit, and not ever having galloped before I grit my teeth and grip the
reins tightly.
Fake it
“When you
stop being afraid you feel good! Move with the cheese!” Dr Spencer Johnson
Display courage and
do your best to stay on top of things. Even when you’re not sure what’s going
to happen next, anticipate and go with the flow.
When the horses get
to the last stretch before the stables, mine breaks out into a gallop and
passes everyone. I’m petrified but hold on tight. When Ray asks me “Were you
in control there?”, I say “Sure, I enjoyed this sprint.”
Take the chance
“Success is often achieved by those who don’t
know that failure is inevitable.” Coco Chanel
At first, a totally
new opportunity is daunting. Weigh
up the risks and the consequences, but once your gut instinct tells you it’s
ok, embrace it without serious concern for the challenges.
Perchance I see a Filmmakers Guide SA post on Facebook to do a film shoot
requiring a man who rides “English” well. Acting I can do, horse riding is
another matter entirely; but one can learn, not so?
“I’m an adventure
girl!” Caroline tells me with pride before she embarks on a scuba diving
course.
See the final
result
“Expect
to succeed.”
You will never
succeed in any major project if you don’t at first see the final result in your
mind. Believe this to be true before you start. After that it’s
easy – you simply follow the blueprint in your mind.
At the audition Barry
Armitage and Joe Dawson, the two directors of The Ride tell me, “You’re perfect
for the part, absolutely the right build, exactly like Sir Harry Smith.” Ignoring
that I can’t ride, I’m super charged to be the star of the movie.
“Being
offered chances is one thing; taking them another.” Angus Powers
Not all things work
out at first, unless you’re naturally gifted in what you do. When trying
something completely new it gets much more complicated, but never hesitate to give
it a full go.
Joe phones me ½ hour later to arrange an outride with their horses at
DelVera outside of Stellenbosch, that same afternoon. “Sure” I say, “I’ll be
there.” He saddles up both horses and I’m happy to stand by. Once we’re on the
hill my horse veers off in-between the vines. Embarrassed, I manage to turn him
around. Next we go on a gallop, but I hop around in the saddle. Looking back,
Joe remarks “Find the rhythm of the horse and go up and down with the flow.”
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