Introducing pathfinder Berna Thorne. You might have caught a glimpse of Berna through our instagram already. Our team got the opportunity to chat with her and ask about what the equestrian sport means to her, which do’s and don’ts exist in the stable and how she got back up in the saddle after her accident.
The stable
Q ( 01 ) Hi Berna, what have you done today?
B: Today I woke up, had breakfast, and then I came to the stables!
Q ( 02) What is the philosophy of your stable?
B: My stable is a place where you can be yourself, and be one with nature and horses and yeah.. just relax.
Q ( 03 ) Are there any do’s and don’ts in the stable?
B: I think a good do is to always think ahead of time and be present. And don’t stress and judge.
Q ( 04 ) Name one person your stable could not do without?
B: Everyone, cause everyone is part of the stable so everyone is equally important.
Riding
Q ( 05 ) What is your idéa of good horsemanship?
B: A good horsemanship is to not forget that a horse is a horse, and remember that they are a force of nature that you cannot control.
Q ( 06 ) What is your best ride ever and why?
B: Oooh! I have a couple of best rides, but one of my favourite rides must be in Zimbabwe when I was working with Polocrosse forces and me and my colleague we were out alone and we saw giraffes. And since horses are horses the giraffes did’nt really react to the horses, so we could go so close [to the giraffes] and that was just magnificent. You really felt like you [your presence] were not there, but you were VERY there!
Q ( 07 ) What is something you always bring with you on a ride?
B: If I’m alone on a ride, I always bring my phone! If I’m with people, I guess just awareness. Yeah, that’s it.
Q ( 08 ) Worst fall, and how did you get back up in the saddle again?
B: My worst fall was with this young horse who was a lil’ cheeky kinda. I was alone, that’s why the phone thing (!). I was alone and we were out galopping really fast together, and he [the horse] was spooked and I fell off, and I broke my back. So that was really bad. But whit that said, I did not wear a safety vest. So I would reccomend everyone to wear a safety vest. When I got back up, it took a year of rehab and then after that I was just ready. Ready to get back in the game.
Q ( 09 ) What is your opinion on safety?
B: Well, since I’ve been in a pretty bad accident, I really think that safety is super important. Becauses like i said, horses are a force of nature so it’s really important to remember that and remember how big and strong they are.
Personal
Q ( 10 ) When did you start riding?
B: I started riding pretty late I would say. Maybe around fourteen, fifteen years old. Or thirteen maybe, but I’ve been obsessed with horses since I was two. My parents were scared of horses though so it took me a while to get into riding.
Q ( 11 ) How did you discover riding and what made you want to do more of it?
B: Like I said I’ve been obsessed with horses. I think I saw my moms friends horse for the first time when I was two, and I ran up to it. Which you should NOT do. But I did, just two years old and I was standing underneath it’s belly, just petting it. That could have gone super wrong, but ever since that day I love horses.
Q ( 12 ) What does riding mean to you personally?
B: Personally, riding is just the best kind of freedom and the best therapy there is. There is nothing better than being on a horse and just feeling like you’re free, you’re one with nature and one with the horse. It is just a magical feeling you cannot really explain unless you’ve done it yourself.
Q ( 13 ) What would you like to say to young people curious about riding but that are afraid to take the step to start?
B: I would say, either just do it. Forget everything [your fears] and just go and try it once, and se how it is. Or I would try and reach out to someone. Even if you don’t know them, but you know of them, maybe reach out and ask them for help. If you’re scared to go to the stable by yourself or don’t have one to go to, then try to reach out to someone and just ask hey would you mind if I came to the stables with you one day?” No one is gonna say no to that!
Q ( 14 ) You’ve been riding for a while now. What are things that you would like to see change in the riding culture?
B: In the future I really hope that people are not gonna be as judgemental and maybe a little more thoughtful of how different people want their horse experience to look like. Not put everything and everyone in a box. And be a little more open to new experiences and new ways of doing things.