But Ella Walker has found that sitting on a running horse can actually make your problems disappear for a while.
The 15-year-old Columba College pupil has Hodgkin’s lymphoma and has spent the past four months travelling between Dunedin and Christchurch for chemotherapy.
During this time, she has been trying to live her life as normally as possible, but it has not been easy.
One of the things that has made the pressures of her life and illness more manageable, is her horse Colin — officially known as Gandarah Country Road.
"Riding has been really good so far. Colin has really taken my mind off the whole treatment side of things.
"I love it. It’s a great escape."
Riding has a similar effect on younger sister Lily (13).
Ella and Lily recently competed in the Wanaka A&P Show equestrian events, and both won their respective top awards, both riding Eastdale Foxtrot (Foxy).
Ella won the champion park hack section, the supreme paced and mannered section, and the overall supreme horse of the show.
Lily won the champion pony ring, the supreme paced and mannered pony, and supreme pony of the show.
Mother Jane Walker said the Wanaka show was one of the most prestigious in the South Island, and to win awards was an amazing achievement for the sisters — particularly Ella, because she had been feeling so unwell.
"I think there is a real future for these two in equestrian.
"The nice thing about it is, it’s the second time they’ve won big awards this season, and we haven’t even been able to attend all the shows that we wanted, just due to Ella’s health really."
Ella said she hoped to be able to compete in enough events this year to qualify for the National Horse of the Year, in Hawke’s Bay next year.
While winning was great, spending time with horses and friends was better, she said.
