Bitten by the bug

Sam Bicknell didn't start off her riding career as a pony-crazed youngster ... but as soon as she moved to Bahrain as a married mother the 'horse mad bug' truly bit.

She recalls having a handful of lessons as a youngster and whilst in Belgium she was spurred on to give it another try but fell pregnant with her eldest son Oscar and that put paid to the idea.

But once in Bahrain, back in March 2009, during a conversation with a friend the subject of riding came up and something clicked. Before she knew it she had agreed to go for a riding lesson and the ensuing passion was fired.

She initially planned to concentrate on dressage because the thought of jumping at first was too terrifying. Sam adds to being incredibly nervous about her first lesson at the Dilmun Riding Stables but soon she was hiring horses as often as she could and having up to three lessons a week.

Sam worked extremely hard to perfect her riding and only became the competent rider she is today by persevering. She believes that riding lots of different horses at the stables really helped her technique and increased her expertise.

The terrifying prospect of jumping had to be overcome and as soon as she cleared her first fence, she was infatuated and as keen as everyone-else to jump over everything and anything in sight!

Sam cites the amazing Nelson as her top teacher, claiming it was this horse that really taught her how to jump. Nelson's forte is in jump-off, taking Sam a while to realise that not every horse can handbrake turn like him!

Sam also rode Sedona, owned by aspiring schoolgirl rider Amy Keen, which she described as an amazing confidence booster.

Her jumping prowess improved immensely to the extent she felt confident enough to want to take one of the Dilmun horses and make her debut at a BREEF event after only four months of jumping. However, those plans were dashed with the outbreak of glanders and the show was cancelled.

Sam continued to ride, loving it, though always hankering for a horse of her own. When circumstances allowed she set out on a quest to find the perfect pairing. Eventually she found her boy, although he was completely green to jumping as he started out as a racehorse before moving on to endurance events.

Whilst trying out Kismet, a 15.3hh chestnut thoroughbred, he jumped his first-ever combination fence having only ever jumped a single fence previously.

What sold Sam was his honesty and willingness to do his best. Nervous on the day, Sam felt she didn't ride well but this horse tried so hard, he obviously knew if he did well he would be going to a seriously loving home. This fabulous asset in his nature clinched the deal.

Moving into his new home in January, he has now settled perfectly into the Dilmun Stables regime. Although, to start with, he was not so happy to be fussed over - groomed to gleaming condition and receiving lots of treats probably came as a total shock to him.

Now he is perfectly happy to have all the attention he can get - sugar lumps and carrots - he is even groomed with a sheepskin mitt. If horses had zodiac signs then Kismet is certainly a Pisces, he adores water.

Perfect for Sam, Kismet is well schooled, responsive and forward going. They maybe both green when it comes to competitive jumping but this will allow them to learn together and they are coming along just brilliantly.

Their first competition saw them clear in Green Horse, and they now participate in the Dilmun's competitive league events regularly. Their first fun show was a week ago, proving a massive success with the pair having a wonderful time.

Sam's goals for the pair are simple - to learn as much as she can from him whilst most importantly enjoying him, the competitive experience of the league is great, though Sam says this season is about getting to know each other and trying their best - something they are doing exceptionally well.

One thing is for sure, in my opinion, this pair will undoubtedly become a brilliant working combination and are positively destined to be utterly happy together. Kismet means 'fate and destiny' and it would appear to be a partnership forged in that manner.

DONT FORGET: Twin Palms Riding Centre - Evening Dressage Show, tomorrow, from 4pm. For more information contact Twin Palms Riding Centre on 39566809 or email Twin.Palms.Riding.Centre@hotmail.com. All information regarding the show and all tests can be found on the web site www.twinpalmsridingcentre.com. The show will encompass the following classes: Working Equitation A & B, Preliminary A & B, a Novice A and Elementary A Tests.