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Author Patrick is just crazy about horses 

The varied strands of Patrick Coghlan’s life as a minister, counsellor, author and former riding school owner have come together in his most recent book ‘Crazy about Horses’.  Sandie Shirley reports.

CrazyAboutHorsesCover500At the age of 67, Patrick is still an avid horse rider who has remained unsaddled by the ups and downs of life and whose insights and experiences have been sifted within the pages of 40 published paperbacks including his latest teen novel that explores faith, justice, bullying and life with horses. 

Life is busy and fulfilling but he rides a vintage style Royal Enfield motorbike along coastal and country roads from his Aylsham home, to relax and unwind.  

Fifty years ago, Patrick bravely mounted a massive horse prepared to ride on the open road. He had no skills or experience and admits he had to hang on for dear life. But undaunted, it marked a new pastime and evolving career. He practised and trained under the watchful gaze of some of the foremost names in the business as the strict disciplines of horsemanship were forged and mastered. 

From cross-country, jumping and dressage to stable management, Patrick went on to open his own riding school, instructing pupils and breeding horses until it had to close five years later.  

His life has been peppered with success and challenges. As a schoolboy he was terrorised by bullies and later grappled with difficulties in the workplace and rejections from publishers. And during two riding  accidents he broke his leg twice within six months, initially vowing to never ride again but he was soon back in the saddle.

Through them all he has learnt to overcome with a persistent spirit knowing God has helped him through trauma, loss and disappointment. It has birthed empathy and understanding for others as a long-standing minister and counsellor which in turn has seen him become a prolific author after writing four short family novels to read to his children when they were young. 

He explains: “We need to love the person we have become through the good times but also the difficult ones. Even though we may look back and wish they had never happened  without them we would not be the people we have become. If we know God has a good plan for us, and I believe he does, we are equipped with what we have today because of the things we have gone through earlier in our lives.”  

During the last 21 years, he has written resources for children and older people and everything in between from Christian study books and those that have examined trauma and depression as he has shared personal and honest insights to help others. 

Reflects Patrick: “I was bullied at school and even had my nose broken. But when asked by a teacher if anything was wrong, I remained silent. In hindsight I could have ended the bullying if I had spoken up.  We  do not have to put up with bullying, we can confront the issues or find a way to move out of the environment and move forward.”  

Patrick has a strong Christian heritage from his parents, grandmother and aunt. When he and his family stepped inside an empty church at the age of three, Patrick  climbed up to the lectern as if he were about to preach. Even then he knew God had a purpose for him; he has been a minister for the last 28 years and today he is at Worstead Baptist Church in North Norfolk.  

His unlikely training began as a riding instructor. “It was surprising how many clients took me into their confidence, telling me their problems and issues. I practised my listening skills for counselling and being a minister, focussing on what they were saying and not butting in. It was also an opportunity to talk about faith when I was asked about it.”

Patrick reflects on the analogies between his life with horses and his faith: “During my twenties I travelled to have lessons with some top-notch trainers; people who were held in very high esteem in the horse world,” says Patrick.

He enjoyed the lessons, appreciating the knowledge, wisdom, insight and experience that was shared. He built relationships of trust knowing their lessons were good and right. “I knew they would not expect me to do anything I wasn't able to do and if there were any problems along the way they would help to sort them out. 

“Despite the excellent training I received, horse riding still demanded qualities like patience, sensitivity, good listening skills, endurance, perseverance, determination... and the courage to get back on when things went wrong.”

The Christian journey is not easy and demands qualities similar for horse riding adds Patrick:  “They include, of course, the courage to metaphorically get back up when we fall. But the rewards are amazing and eternal!”

Crazy about Horses (Instant Apostle) £8.99 is available from info@instantapostle.com or email: patrick@acsmail.net who is also available for book and speaking events.    

Pictured above is Patrick Coghlan riding Justin.


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