When she was two, Orrick’s mother took her to a park that offered horse riding and from that day on, she was in love.

“I collected stuffed horses, read every book I could get my hands on, and even pretended I was a horse – which drove my mother crazy,” she recalls.

Orrick’s formal training began at eight and she quickly rose through the ranks at the Canadian Pony Club. She took equine veterinary and horsemanship courses and eventually became an instructor, as well as competing in distance riding and show jumping competitions.

When she and her husband came to Pakistan, they bought four horses, after which things took on a life of their own. “My friends started asking me for lessons and, eventually, to go riding cross-country,” she says, explaining the evolution of her quaint stable in the outskirts of Islamabad.

Her friends refer to her stables as a little piece of heaven and often visit when they want to escape the noise and hustle bustle of city life.

For Orrick, the stable is not a commercial venture. “It gives me so much pleasure to have people here to enjoy the company of horses. Every rider has their own preferences and attachments with their horse, which develops over time. Each horse has its own mood and personality; it is actually like a relationship.”

“When deciding which horse is suitable for a rider, it is very important to match the rider with a complementary horse. This is something that is overlooked in a lot of places, but I think [connecting with your horse] is one of the most important aspects of riding.”

The meadows and streams in the lush rural suburbs of the capital offer a rich, pastoral backdrop for riders. There are no concrete structures as far as the eye can see. As the horses clop through white ferns, local children excitedly greet the riders.

“The calm here is so relaxing; it makes you forget your troubles and you return a new person every time,” says one of the riders.

Orrick’s love for the horses is evident. “Horses keep you in the moment... I could be having the worst day ever, but when I come to the stables to be with my horses, I am suddenly happy and enthusiastic again. There is nothing better than to see people smile after they’ve had a really hard day,” she says.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2016