Happy trails

 I grew up in a family of horseback riders, and I’ve been an avid rider since I was about four or five. I was the fourth of six kids [daughter of the late real estate mogul John Nicolls], so it was natural for me to join my older sisters. We did our own mucking out – cleaning out the stalls – and feeding of the horses every day.

I took courses from a slew of visiting international equestrians, including Canadian Olympic equestrian Robin Hahn. My personal best in show jumping was five feet eight inches on Cock Robin, a half-Arabian, half-Morgan handful who taught me everything I know about partnership.

These days riding is not as competitive as it once was, but it still involves attaining an altered state: a second-nature merger between horse and rider. Now I’ll go over a fence or two in the ring, maybe. But mostly I’m a trail rider who likes to go out for a good walk, trot or canter.

I ride as much as I can, which with a busy life and busy career isn’t as often as I’d like. But it’s a great escape. It gets you out in the fresh air, gets your body moving and working, and connects you with the animal. And for me, riding out by the river, being on a big horse and knowing I’m not going to take a tumble, it’s ­really empowering.