Why do I love my job? Let me explain how it all happened
Natalie has known Lexy since she arrived at the Stables as a young girl in 2008. Now, Lexy’s a BHS Accredited Professional Coach, and “she’ll soon be far more qualified than me!” Meet Lexy and find out why she loves her job so much.
Lexy says: Where do I begin?!
I first came to visit the stables when Natalie had just taken it over and although I knew nothing about horses or how to ride them, I quickly became obsessed.
As a very young girl who had just moved to London from up north my new world could be very daunting, but the community surrounding the stables provided me with a safe space to make friends, have fun and cuddle ponies. And of course, I learned to ride.
I began to help out at the stables every Saturday and Sunday, leading the ponies and helping with the day-to-day jobs, and months quickly became years. Beyond the Stables, I took my GCSEs and went to college to do A levels. But when the dreaded results day came round, I hadn’t done well, and with a broken heart and tearful eyes I showed up at Natalie’s front door. What should I do?
She threw me on board Trigger and sent me off to go have a blast! Always the best therapy. It also made me realise that perhaps the A level results weren’t the end of the world, as I was already doing the thing I love to do best.
When I was 19 I left Park Lane to go and study more about horses and how to train them and did my BHS exams. I thought I’d left Park Lane…except it pulled me back!
I am now a BHS Accredited Professional Coach, and RDA Coach at Park Lane. My role includes riding, RDA coaching, clipping, helping to manage the day-to-day routine of the stables, coaching staff and apprentices, and ensuring we maintain the upmost care of our horses and ponies.
Why do I love my job? Because of stories like this one
Last year I started working with a young teenager who had a passion for horses but huge anxiety around riding them. She was desperate to gain confidence but struggled massively. Each week I have taken her out riding, and built her knowledge of horses and their care, from different medical treatments, to feeding routines, to horse behaviours both when ridden and not.
As time went on she gained the courage to go to a dressage competition. We cleared out the viewing area so just the judge and myself were present and my goodness did she smash it!
I recently took her with me to ride in my Grade 2 RDA show jumping coaching assessment where she had to ride in front of a group of people. She didn’t show an ounce of anxiety, and jumped the course perfectly. (This time last year she would have run a mile just at the thought of this.)
Seeing her open up from a quiet girl who always held her head to the floor, to a young confident woman who doesn’t take no for an answer and shows endless determination both inside and outside of the stables makes me beyond proud. Who wouldn’t love my job?
I wouldn’t change a thing
I really don’t know where I would be without Park Lane (especially Prodney and Eddy!) as to me, this is my home. I’ve formed friendships for life and built relationships with people I never thought I’d be so lucky to have in my life. The memories I’ve made will last a lifetime, whether it is galloping along the beach on Florence, or hopping over hedges on Prodney in torrential rain.
Park Lane has completely changed my life since the day I walked in as a young girl, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
“Lexy is a fantastic RDA Coach”, says Natalie, “fresh and young and with such a great manner, she really makes it easy for participants to open up to her. We’re so lucky that she’s part of the Park Lane team. We struck gold the day she came to Park Lane and now we are all benefiting from her being with us, horses and humans.”
Riding Trigger in Bushy Park as a young girl
If you’ve found Lexy’s story inspiring, there are so many ways that you could support our work. Donate to help fund the sessions which can be life-changing for many of our participants.