“Butterfly, butterfly, butterfly”

Having recently joined the Centre Equestre du Pays Beaumontois (CEPB) (http://cepb.free.fr/ ) with some other étrangères, we're all benefiting from the help and support provided by a great equestrian centre. We have always been welcome in the past at competitions and events, but now have become a real part of the CEPB family.

Isabelle and Luc Didier who own and run the club are completely dedicated not only to their horses but their club members too; Luc is always there with a reply to your email, does all our entries for competitions and will happily explain something over and over again without a fuss or sigh. Isabelle is a natural instructor and horsewoman, sees everything and has a fantastic way of not over complicating advice or instructions. Having been a riding instructor in the UK myself, it's sometimes a struggle to take instruction – but with Isabelle it all makes sense. A quick command of 'more outside rein' can make a massive difference if it is immediate (rather than after the event) and with her naturally calm aura, she keeps the lessons flowing

Group practice for the next day's competition take place on a Saturday afternoon, normally alongside a bunch of great French kids who all make it look so easy - and Isabelle changes easily from French to English when she sees one of us with a blank face. And if the children turn right as we all go left, us 'oldies' are quickly corrected with a cry of "right turn les Anglais"! With her inspiration and encouragement, we find ourselves cantering around repeating certain key instructions, a favourite being "Butterfly, Butterfly, Butterfly". Delivered with a French accent, she's trying to get us to ride with relaxed arms, imagining we are butterflies. In the event, we're probably more like moths flying blindly into the light, but Isabelle insists we aren't - and we're happy to believe her!

Luc and Isabelle are a great team, and joining an equestrian centre is a must in France if you want to compete at Club level. If you're lucky enough to move to our area with horses in tow, do go to see them - and you could become a butterfly too!