Horsing around: Amy Winehouse shows off her equestrian skills in St Lucia

**Mrs P** · April 6th, 2009, 05:06 AM

Horsing around: Amy Winehouse shows off her equestrian skills in St Lucia

By Daniel Bates
Last updated at 7:13 AM on 06th April 2009

They tried to make her go to rehab and she said 'neigh, neigh, neigh'.
But when it came to trying her hand at horse riding, Amy Winehouse was far more eager to get in the saddle.
Shunning traditional riding gear for a white vest, no shoes and some skimpy blue denim shorts, the Grammy award-winning singer grinned as she sat sideways on to the saddle.

Amy Winehouse tries out her horse-riding skills on the beach in St Lucia
She then pulled her legs up in front of her as she grasped the reins before finally putting her feet in the stirrups and confidently riding along the sand.
Winehouse gave herself the riding lesson on St Lucia in the Caribbean.

She then spent some time with a mystery man - walking arm-in-arm along the sand.

Winehouse recently returned there after spending two months on the island whilst recovering from heroin addiction and writing new material for her forthcoming album, the follow-up to 'Back to Black'.

The flexible singer appears to be very comfortable with riding, lifting her leg up rather than clinging on tight
Winehouse 25, has been so taken with the place that she is thought to be planning to buy a £3m home there.
Her time on the island has also reportedly influenced her music and it is thought her new material will be heavily reggae influenced.
Winehouse will be supported at her comeback gig at Shepherd's Bush Empire next month by reggae legends Toots and the Maytals, although her label Island, the home of the genre, are said to be less than happy about the change of tack.

Amy canters along the beach, keeping an eye out for obstacles

Despite her extended stay away from the UK, Winehouse hasn't been able to entirely forget about all her misdemeanours.
Last month she appeared at Westminster Magistrates court charged with punching a dancer at a charity ball.
She denied common assault on Sherene Flash, at the party in central London and the case was adjourned until July.

Amy dismounts with ease

Winehouse recently said fans could expect a few surprises when she returns.
She added that being busy with her music helps her stay out of trouble, saying: 'It's probably for the best. I only end up getting arrested for assault when I go out these days.'
Winehouse is currently negotiating a divorce with her husband of two years, Blake Fielder-Civil.
Recently released from jail, after serving a sentence for assault and perverting the course of justice, Fielder-Civil has said he is seeking to dissolve their turbulent marriage on the grounds of adultery.

Amy walked along the beach arm-in-arm with a mystery man