Charlotte Hughes

May 2001 - Oct 2001

Devon
England

I spent three months at EKM after graduating in electronics before starting a full time job in Birmingham. I learnt more in those three months about horsemanship than in ten years of riding and working on yards in England. I raised my expectations of how a horse should behave and improved my own skills a as a rider, not just in terms of getting the best out of a horse but improving my perception and the application of the aids. I learnt to understand why a horse behaves the way he does and to moderate my approach so he understands what I am asking of him

Highlights of the trip (so many to choose from) included a trip to the volcano, snorkelling in crystal clear warm water, seeing a turtle, nights out in Kona, the adventures of Mrs. Murphy (the temperamental green truck) but best of all; polo! Nancy, Trey, Catherine, Maki & I bandaged up the horses and spent a fun afternoon practising various polo shots. I really enjoyed getting Lakota , the littlest horse, to ride off Waikula, the grumpiest horse there! And not forgetting the occasion a wild boar got into the pet pig pen and had to be shot before serious damage was done! (He tasted very good)

At the moment I am working for TRW, an aeronautical company but within twelve months am hoping to leave for pastures new. I am looking to set up a corporate entertainment company that will run have-a-go archery stands, Mongolian horseback archery displays, jousting and trick riding. (Nothing like being ambitious) And if that doesn't work out I'll go back to EKM!!