IT Is doubtful I’ll be in the line-up for the Grand National next year or giving any champion jockeys a run for their money.

But that didn’t stop me enjoying my morning with the Croft Riding Centre team.

My experience of horseriding until that point had been limited to trotting around on a pony during a childhood holiday.

And watching TV and films always made it look so easy with characters jumping on their steed and riding into the sunset.

That fantasy sadly did not match the reality though as I found mounting a horse, let alone learning how to ride it, incredibly tricky.

That is the whole point of Croft Riding Centre’s Easy Riders Club which is aimed at beginners of all ages.

With up to six people at lessons, the groups are small and so you are given plenty of help and never made to feel stupid.

The class starts with hands-on stable work such as grooming the horses.

But by the end of the session, instructor Robyn Norton had taught us how to control and direct a horse using the reins and our legs and heels.

The most difficult thing to master was lifting myself on and off the saddle in rhythm with the horse’s trot.

Chris Broughton, the centre’s proprietor, must have realised I was struggling as he came over to help my horse pick up the pace.

It was also quite telling that out of Croft Riding Centre’s 76 horses, I was riding the affable Dessie who will ‘carry anyone and everyone’.

That didn’t put me off though.

Robyn and Chris just wanted me to have the best possible (and safest) experience.

 YVONNE Field became an ‘easy rider’ as part of a birthday present and she has been on the saddle ever since.

She said: “I used to do a bit of riding when I was a kid up until the age of about 12. I’ve always loved horses but never had the opportunity.

“Then my husband bought me six riding lessons for my 65th birthday and it’s taken over my life.

“It’s great. Your fitness level improves dramatically and there’s a nice atmosphere here.

“What I like about Easy Riders is that you’re learning all the time.

We’re all at different levels so you learn from other people.

“It’s very encouraging even when you’re a novice and you’re making mistakes and have a really bad week nobody makes you feel stupid. You also get to know your horse and I feel you build up a relationship with them rather than just riding them.”

 Easy Riders Club is on Wednesday mornings at Croft Riding Centre. Visit croftridingcentre.co.uk or call 763715.