Horsing Around…

Billy puts Nali through his paces, sans saddle and reins...

"Are you sure this is a good idea...?"

It had been about 18 years since I had ridden horses on a regular basis, and 4 years since I had last climbed onto the back of a horse… That was on a family trip to Namibia in June 2006…

With Billy’s persuasive urging, I agreed to go on a short rid with him. I was as nervous as hell, and the last thing I needed was to break a leg or an arm here in Khartoum… I was not exactly prepared for riding, having arrived at the stable in a pair of shorts and flip-flops, but after trying on a pair of leather chaps and I riding hat, I was pronounced good to go.

I rode Billy’s grey, Nali, which he had ridden all the way from Tunisia on, and he mounted a chestnut. We walked the horses down to the banks of the Blue Nile and then cantered them in the thick sand which lines the edges of the river. It brought back memories of my early days in Pigg’s Peak, when with our two thoroughbreds, my wife and I would go for rides in the pine forests on the farm Swaziland Plantations. Vanessa had fallen pregnant with our first child and from then on I only had Daniel, our garden boy for company on my rides…

That was long ago, and far away…

I cannot say I was entirely comfortable on this ride, as I have never been a schooled rider. I never did get the technical aspects of trotting right, and usually ended up nursing a sore backside and aching wedding tackle after a prolonged bought of this part of horse-riding… I was one of those “walk and gallop” riders, everything in between didn’t matter…! I had mostly ridden thoroughbreds, who seemed to agree with my type of riding style… That is, ride hard and fast, and then get back to base for a drink…!

Who would have thought I'd be riding a horse alongside the Nile...

After a stern talking to, Nali obediently follows Billy...

Christy gives Nali a workout in the sand paddock...

We cantered back in the shallows of the Nile, which, if you’ve ever ridden on a beach, is great fun… Nali did his best to get down and have a roll in the river, but I wasn’t keen on collecting my slip-slops in Cairo, so never allowed him the opportunity…

Back at the stable, I watched as Billy showed how well trained Nali was… The horse would come to Billy when it was called, and follow him when he instructed it to… It is a wonderful thing to witness, this affinity that horse and rider develop. Later, I watched as Christy galloped Nali around the sand paddock, using only a short neck halter. One day in the future, this horse would hopefully stand on the beach at Cape Aghulas, where Bill and Christy’s journey will end.

Until then, I wish them all the best of luck, and look forward to seeing Nali in a greener, wetter country than Sudan…

This Lapwing nervously guarded her eggs while the horse galloped by...

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