The Story of Loveable Lollypop – a big-hearted Irish Horse

This is the story of Nichola and her Irish Sports Horse called Lollypop. Initially, both of the parties were highly anxious, however, their mutual empathy blossomed into a magical horse and rider partnership.

Losing confidence in Elvis

Before buying Lollypop, Nichola had owned Elvis an impressive-looking Dutch Warmblood with a talent for jumping. By 2014, this beastly, spooky, and sharp horse had really frightened his rider. Nichola had sustained a crashing showjumping fall and vowed to never jump again.

Throwing in the towel with Evil Elvis

Inevitably Nichola decided to find a replacement for evil Elvis. The right horse would help her regain confidence, and this horse could not be Elvis.

Lollypop finds Nichola and Nicola finds Lollypop

Nichola’s new horse called Lollypop arrived In November 2014. This 9-year-old 16.2hh skewbald presented as aloof and tense, but with impeccable manners. Lollypop also had some rider trust issues and any sudden rider movements would result in her jumping forward.

Uneducated rough handling had left its mark on poor Lollypop. She moved with an overbent head carriage and no engagement from her quarters. Her hollow outline had prevented her from developing good back muscles.

Stretching Out and Rising to the Occasion

For the first year, the new horse learned to stretch for the bit and to move correctly. Lollypops’ top line then improved beyond all recognition and she became far more relaxed. Both horse and rider had bonded with mutual trust established.

Hypnosis and Gaining Confidence

Jumping couldn’t be contemplated as rider anxieties were very extreme. Nichola needed hypnosis to put her in the right frame of mind to even think about approaching a small jump. She had three sessions with a hypnotherapist and decided to try jumping.

“My girl Lollypop” came to the Rescue

Constructing a small series of jumps wasn’t a difficulty but facing the course would be far harder. However, Nichola didn’t need to worry as Lollypop felt a very rigid and nervous rider above and came to the rescue. This was the time for Lolly to take care of Nichola and so she calmly popped the course. A few weeks later, and the magical pair were jumping forest logs and popping small cross-country training courses just for fun.

Lolly tries Hunting

One day Nichola decided to take her horse hunting and this decision proved to be life-changing. Now, some horses enjoy hunting and some don’t, but there was no need to worry as again Lolly was “as sweet as candy” and a “sugar dandy”. A calm and sensitive Lollypop gave a good day following hounds and Nichola became hooked on hunting.

The Present Day

Nichola is now the Field Master with the Nar Valley Bloodhounds and Lolly is her master’s mount. This horse is a legend in the field and the envy of the hunt followers.