confidence and have healthy fun out-of-doors.

The Royal Gazette recently interviewed some of the students at the Spicelands Riding Centre to find out what makes horse riding so fantastic.

"I enjoy looking after the horses before and after my lessons,'' 11-year-old Sarah Munday explained. "I started to ride more seriously because I have always loved animals.'' Her younger sibling, Catherine, 9, was just as enthusiastic: "I started riding because my sister was riding and it looked like she was having a lot of fun. "I am glad I started because now I can do what I saw others doing such as jumping and going to shows to compete.'' Catherine also dreams of one day owning a horse as well.

Thirteen-year-old Tiffany Thorne and Kristina Gibbons, 10, were both proud of taking part in competitions and plan to stick with the sport.

"I hope to show internationally in the future on the professional show jumping circuit,'' Tiffany said.

Kristina added: "I feel I have developed strong legs, know how to steer and know my diagonals. I want to continue showing and one day I hope to ride in the Olympics.'' Lindsay Botelho, 13, explained that, for her, riding was a positive after school activity. "I enjoy the social aspect of riding with my friends,'' she said.

Riding instructor Judy Canale agreed with the girls that horse riding was a rewarding hobby.

"Riding is a wonderful, healthy outdoor activity that is truly a work out for the muscles,'' she explained. "It builds confidence and co-ordination. It is a sport that provides challenges and rewards. "Best of all,'' she added, "it allows you to care for another living thing and to develop a true bond with the animals.'' Spicelands Riding Centre is home to 53 horses of which 24 are privately owned and 29 belong to the school.

Some of the most popular school horses, Mrs. Canale said, were Pepe, Rocky, Rudi, Joey, Niki and Romeo. Spicelands provides structured lessons for students above the age of six and toddlers from age two for pony rides on Saturdays.

Classes run seven days a week and are priced at $28.50 per half-hour private lesson, 45-minute per semi-private and one-hour group session. Mrs. Canale explained that Spicelands believed all new students should work on a one-to-one basis at an individual pace.

"Each person progresses at their own rate and has individual strengths and weaknesses that need to be addressed,'' she stressed. "It is also a primary concern to keep our environment safe.

"Our goal is to develop confident riders who have a strong background in the basic skills. Then there is no limit to what we can teach a student to do including dressage or jumping.'' During lessons, all students must wear either a shoe or boot with a small, flat heel as well as a secure riding helmet, long pants and long-sleeved shirt. When competing in shows, the proper attire consists of a riding hat, gloves, riding boots, jodhpurs (riding pants) and a show jacket. The show season begins in late September and runs through early June with one or two events scheduled each month.

The majority of shows are held at the National Equestrian Centre on Vesey Street, Devonshire but a few are hosted by other facilities including Spicelands from time to time. For further information contact either Judy or Vanessa Canale at Spicelands on 238-8212.