SPRIGHTLY 89-year-old Lilian Clarkin from Oxford, realised a lifelong ambition when she rode a horse for the first time.

Mrs Clarkin, pictured on the horse, from Iffley Road, made it into the saddle thanks to her neighbour, horsewoman Penny Bassett, left.

Mrs Bassett explained: "Lily and I are great friends and ever since I've known her she has talked about how her father was a rough rider in the Army and how much she has always wanted to ride a horse too.

"She had ridden a pony once as a child, but she has always wanted to ride a horse and so we borrowed one, Copper - who lives locally and is 15.1 hands - and Lily finally realised her dream."

Mrs Clarkin, who has lived in Oxford for 47 years and once worked checking in patients at the Radcliffe Infirmary, said: "My dad was in the Royal Artillery in World War I - he was a rough rider and really loved horses, but he hated the way the French banged their saddles on the horses' backs."

She added: "I once had a ride on a pony in Ireland when I was nine, but we never had any spare money for me to be able to ride horses, so riding Copper was a dream come true. Penny said I looked like I have always ridden. She is so kind and thoughtful."

  • We would like to hear from others who have achieved a goal or realised a dream late in life. Contact Debbie Waite on 01865 425428 or email debbie.waite@nqo.com