Meet Veronica

It has indeed transpired that more is expected of me in this job than merely smiling at customers. This week, although probably the best anyone could ever expect from their first week of work, has shown me that I rather lack ability in the instruction department.

I can ride a horse, yes, but telling others how to ride a horse has never really occurred to me. Worse still, I have a nasty habit of going red whenever I do tell someone to do something.

A solution I’ve suggested, which has been rather too heavily backed by my yard manager, is to have a trekking alter-ego, Veronica. Veronica will whip these trekkers into shape as we traverse the sandy dunes and golden barley fields.

I imagine she won’t spare a thought for the weaker armed riders, she’ll brand them ‘pansies’ and will ruthlessly tell them to put some welly into it. Better still, she’ll silence restless teenagers desperate for a gallop with one cold look.

Helen can sidle back into poll position for such tasks as mucking out and sweeping, these she can do. Though Helen hopes she won’t be too muscle-bound as a result, regardless of how much Veronica would approve.