I had so many sympathetic and helpful replies to my post, that I went in to the RS on Friday determined to be relaxed and take as much time as I wanted to in mounting. All went well and I felt really pleased! Then whilst hacking out on the common, the horse slipped in some ice and fell and of course I went overboard too! We were, thankfully, both unhurt (I was a bit winded but sat and got my breath back whilst the RI carefully checked the horse out).
Next problem of course - getting back on (the horse is about 17 hh) without a mounting block. There was a wooden bench nearby but she wouldn't stand sideways on to it as she was a bit unsure. Luckily we found a grassy bank which gave me some height but it was still a scramble! I realised then that mounting in the yard is actually pure luxury compared to mounting somewhere on the common!
Next problem of course - getting back on (the horse is about 17 hh) without a mounting block. There was a wooden bench nearby but she wouldn't stand sideways on to it as she was a bit unsure. Luckily we found a grassy bank which gave me some height but it was still a scramble! I realised then that mounting in the yard is actually pure luxury compared to mounting somewhere on the common!