From the little girl with dreams, to the coach who’s not looking back

Martina has one of the biggest, happiest smiles on the yard. In her new blog post she explains how dreaming about a life with horses eventually became a reality.

By Martina Malik

I have always loved horses. From the little girl who dreamed I was a princess riding her grey horse in the snow, till this day. I didn’t have the opportunity to learn how to ride or be with horses when I was young. But when my children got older and I had more time on my hands I decided to start volunteering at Park Lane Stable RDA. I immediately knew that I loved the place. So many different horses and ponies, finally my dream come true! Through volunteering I met lots of new friends, learned how to ride, and went on to gain the skills needed to become a coach.

I was asked to share with you the best moment as a coach, but I can’t think of a single one. That’s because what makes it special is all those little moments combined: when a child starts coming regularly, gradually feeling more comfortable and open around others; when you see them develop a relationship with a particular horse/pony; when they master a trot or a smooth transition; and of course my favourite, when they come in rain or shine and have a big smile on their face at the end saying how much fun they had.

Being a coach is just such a rewarding role for me. It’s never still, and no two days are the same. You’re on a journey with each rider and that’s just the best feeling. I will forever feel happy to have found Park Lane Stables. The little girl mad about horses whose dreams eventually came true!

We couldn’t do what we do at Park Lane Stables without the financial support of our followers and the dedication of people like Martina who help make it a happy place for our participants. If you’d like to help today, just click Donate. And truly, lots of littles makes a lot.