Lockdown’s silver lining

WHILE spinning on the hamster wheel of life, how many of us have yearned to press pause – to regroup and refresh, before relaunching ourselves into our busy schedules?

With the competition calendar wiped clean this spring, professional riders had the chance to do just that. Lockdown in effect stopped the clock, freeing up an unprecedented amount of time to reflect on routines and results. It was, as eventer Harry Meade put it, an opportunity for some “helicopter perspective thinking on how to train – shining a light on your system”.

So what did our equestrian experts discover? And will they decide to do things differently if shows and events return to pre-lockdown levels?

According to Andy Bathe MRCVS, of Rossdales Equine Hospital, the enforced respite has been revealing from a veterinary point of view.

“I’ve been impressed with how sound many horses have been,”