My father was in the Home Guard during World War 2. There, a lifelong passion for horse riding was born. He decided the family was going to join this great sport of kings and at the age of four, my riding lessons began. 

My sister and I were eager to meet Ruth, the local teacher. First we had to have the correct riding kit. Father was always particular about how one was presented, a little bit of vanity that has stuck with me. I’m now the sunny side of eighty-five and still particular about how I am presented.

Off we went, riding around the streets of Mona Vale. In the early forties, these streets had very little traffic. All I learnt was to hang on to the ‘monkey grip’, a leather handle attached to the front of the saddle. Young riders can hang on for dear life as they ride along, but it’s the worst way to teach the all-important basic rule of balance. 

I spent my senior years at boarding school at Moss Vale. One of the highlights of the week was Sunday morning riding at Throsby Park. As we walked along the streets, we smoked cigarettes and then rode with the boys from Tudor house. Best day of the week.

No more horse riding for me for the next thirty years. I had moved from Mona Vale to Woollahra. Centennial Park was nearby. Gentle lady-like riding was a good start — why not extend my riding experience with the crazy idea I could go hunting to the hounds?

Energy was still my motivation for new adventures. 

Okay, up at four with the members of the Sydney Hunt Club. The horses floated all around the country, sleeping rough in extraordinary digs on barn floors, sometimes in horse floats. I was still young enough to find this fun. Following the hounds over fences and through streams. Crashing through trees seemed a good idea at the time.

My riding career was terminated one sunny morning in Camden. At full gallop, my ill-fitting bridle caused my trusty steed to leap to a great height, take a step to the right and dump me on a rock. 

Crash! Broken body. 

Lesson not remembered: never go riding without the all-important Monkey Grip!