“A lot of people spend their whole lives searching for something they care about as much as horse girls love horses.”

Two friends, their faithful ponies, a dash of adventure: life doesn’t get any better.

That Christmas morning, we looked out the kitchen window and were surprised to see Sparkle and Tosca, hightailing it across the lawn - literally, tails high like banners. They merrily galloped down the bank, across the road, and out of view.

What a jerk, I thought. The non-riders in the group seemed to be impressed with this cowboy show, but I could tell he wasn’t much of a rider.

It was pure magic: the snow, the pony, and the two friends, who had lived pretty charmed lives and still believed they could do anything they wanted to do.

Part three of my teenage riding holiday in Sligo, Ireland

Part two of my teenage riding holiday in Sligo, Ireland

Part one of my teenage horse riding holiday in Sligo, Ireland