We’re back home after yet another brilliant training camp at Forest Edge. I need to work out how many I’ve been to there. At a rough guess, I’d say a dozen at least.

Buddy has been to lots. Bert has now been to a few. I’ve been with them both and on my own. They really are good for the soul.

This morning, we had another course jumping lesson. My biggest lightbulb moment this camp has been to keep my bottom relaxed while in the saddle. My right glut likes to get in on the act when I least expect it.

This afternoon, Buddy was very tired. So we kept it short and low key. There are still so many positives to take away from the three days, six lessons and a billion calories burned.

I rode all of the lessons in my new competition boots. They are very comfy. But definitely ‘car to bar’ boots if you get my drift. I had three lessons in my new dressage saddle. My hips are letting me know about that! It’s done wonders for my position though.

My last round of jumps felt much improved. My comfort place is to hover, so actually sitting deep in the saddle is going to take a bit of getting used to. Buddy was able to jump better as a result.

Each lessons there has been an improvement in one way or another. It’s not just about the lessons. It’s about the friendships forged over the many camps. It’s wonderful catching up with people from previous camps and meeting new people. It’s nourished my soul, brain and body. I love it when someone else feeds me.

I’m tired, but a good tired. Buddy will sleep well tonight. Bert is already asleep. I won’t be far behind.

Day two of camp and it’s been pretty much perfect. The weather has been kind (except for the sharp wind). The company has been wonderful.

Buddy got a perfect body score from the Spiller’s lady. Third time in a row! In my head, I had 630kg as his weight. He was 629kg so I was spot on. She said he’d lost a bit of muscle tone, but I expected that after giving him time off over winter.

There was a plot twist in our lessons today. Same groups, same times, same arena. Different coaches. So I got to have a jump lesson with Jo and a flat lesson with Caroline. Perfect!

Buddy was rather excited in our first lesson. It seems pole are very exciting! Who knew?! The minute they went up to jumps, he soon settled.

In our afternoon lesson, we worked on leg yield and turning. The exercise were a bit like rubbing your stomach and patting your head…

There are a pair of robins here. Each time I see one, I say ‘hello Martine’. She is always with me when I come here. It’s so lovely that they have named one of the lodges ‘Holden Lodge’ in her honour. Just perfect.

This photo made me laugh. I look like I’m embracing my inner Lemur, warming myself in the morning sunshine. It was a fresh one this morning so the sunshine was very welcome.

First day of camp done. Two good lessons too. First up course jumping. That’s a bit of a switch up for Buddy as we usually do flat first. I wasn’t sure what Buddy was going to make of that. Or which Buddy I was going to get as we know he can come out a bit all guns blazing.

I feared the worst when I asked for the first canter and he squealed. Thankfully that was the extent of his high jinx. He was happy to be jumping. It really is both of our favourite thing to do.

This afternoon, I broke out the dressage saddle for our flatwork lesson. It really has made a huge difference to our way of going. I got compliments on my position. Something I’ve been working hard on. There have been many times over the years where I have felt out of place in a flat work group. Today, I felt like we were more than deserved to be there. I could have cantered round the arena for hours. It’s so comfortable.

Funny how we get these ideas in our head sometimes…

We’re all settled in ready for camp to start tomorrow. Bert started whining the minute we turned in the gates. Buddy was most keen to get to his stable. I was very happy to see everyone too.

Honestly, it’s like a school reunion catching up with so many camper friends. I was greeting with lots of hugs. As was Bert.

He found a ‘toy’, a cup and a plastic cup. I swear he’s part-Womble. I’m not sure what the toy is, but he was very happy with himself. He carried it round the forest.

It feels so good to be back here. It really is a special place. Here’s to making more memories. Bring on the learning (and sweating).

I’ve spent a lot of today getting ready for camp. My last camp was only back in September, but it’s like my mental checklist has been erased or misplaced or something.

I think the fact that so much lives on Toby is throwing me off. With the Buddymobile, I had to take a lot of things on and off. Toby is luxurious and spacious in comparison. I kept thinking ‘where is that?’, then I remember – already packed.

I nearly forgot the dressage squares I now need being the proud owner of a fancy pants dressage saddle. It’s been a very long time since I took two saddles to camp. Let’s hope it makes a difference to my riding. Otherwise we really will look ‘all the gear’.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little apprehensive about camp. I know I will have an amazing time. With some wonderful friends. And with the Oversized Labrador and the Baby Sprocker. So where does the apprehension come from?

It was two years ago at the April camp that it became very clear that Buddy wasn’t right. That thought is always at the back of my mind. I’m not sure where our fitness levels are either. Is he fit enough for six lessons? Am I?

But there’s are normal questions. I know that whatever happens, I will improvise, adapt and overcome…

It was Bert’s first camp a year ago. That was a baptism of fire in my compact and bijoux lorry. It definitely planted the seed that I needed a bigger lorry. I made that happen too. Dear Toby came into my life at the right moment. A bit like Bert.

Of course, I wince at the moment filling Toby up. My old lorry wasn’t cheap to run either. Right now, I think we’re all wincing at the price of fuel. And everything else for that matter.

I could focus on the negatives and the downsides. Of course I could. I’m an optimistic realist. It’s pretty crap right now. But there is so much good out there too. I took Bert out for a stompy walk. I sat in the garden drinking a coffee and then did a bit of weeding.

Life is an adventure. Let’s see what happens on my next one…

We’re heading off for our first training camp of the year on Sunday so I thought I’d stock up on camp provisions.

I have feed, hay and haylage for Buddy. I have food and treats for Bert. I will be fed while I’m there. But you can never have too many snacks. Right?!

Toby is stocked up with water, sports drinks, cereal bars, crisps and other bits. One of the modules on my Centre10 course was about peak performance. I make sure Buddy is hydrated, well fed and rested. Whereas I am often over-tired, dehydrated and in a calorie-deficiency. Yet I still expect myself to be on it. And not just riding, I often forget to eat.

So this is my attempt to try and be better. Whatever I don’t use at camp, will stay on for other trips.

I’m really excited about our first camp. I know Bert will be excited to be back in the forest. Let’s hope Buddy is happy to be back too. I know he’ll enjoy the two bags of carrots I bought for him.

We hit a few obstructions today. Starting with cows! They’re back on the field behind the close. Bert and I went to see them this morning. I put Bert back on his lead before we headed over the sty as I couldn’t see them.

Then they came walking round the corner, with calves running behind. I felt like we hit cow rush hour or something. They all headed down to the stream for a drink.

Then Toby, Buddy, Bert and I ended up on a magical mystery tour as we headed out to meet a friend for a hack. The road I usually take was closed. So I ended up going down a different road that seemed to get narrower and narrower, ending up resembling someone’s driveway! Slightly scary in a 7.5t lorry. Still we got there in one piece…

After a lovely long hack round the fields, we had the challenge of getting home. Another narrow road and narrow bridge to navigate. Before getting back to the village to find more roads closed!

It seems a reoccurring theme at the moment. So many road closures, diversions or traffic lights. It’s hard enough in a car. Good job I’m a good driver. Give me a few cows to move any day. Much easier to navigate.

My brain is a little tired after my two days of training. I wasn’t totally with it this morning while I was peopling. Didn’t help that it took me over an hour to get into the city. A journey that normally takes me 20 mins tops!

The traffic was really bad. So I was late to work. That put me on the back foot. I wasn’t the only one who was tired. Bert was distinctly bleary-eyed this morning. He was very happy to go back to bed while I went to work. He’s been a rather busy boy too.

Now Buddy should have been the eager one having had a few days off. He was yawning his head off when he came in from the field. Still he perked up by the time we got out onto the fields. Judging by the spook he did at a rather terrifying bush (that has been there for many a year), he is feeling very refreshed. At least one of us is…

Now we all know that I love a camp, but today was a very different one. It was the Centre10 Spring Camp at Onley. Now that I’m a Centre10 Accredited Coach, I got to join the other coaches for even more learning.

It was lovely meeting people who are further long with their journeys. Quite a few of my cohort stayed too, so I got to spend more time with them too.

The theme for today was Confidence: Built by design. Confidence is so hard to explain. It’s very personal, fluid and a bit fickle at times. But there are some guiding principles which we explored today.

We were also treated to demo by the one and only Jason Webb. I’ve seen his work on TV, so seeing him in action was a thrill. He’s a Centre10 coach too. He took two different combinations through a groundwork lesson. It was fascinating to watch.

He has a sixth sense with horses. Made me want to come home and try stuff with Buddy. It also made me see where I’ve been going wrong with him and giving him confusing messages. Clarity, consistency and confidence go hand in hand it seems.

It’s been a brilliant two days away. Bert was pleased to see me when I picked him up. He’s had a lot of fun playing while I’ve been away. Once more, I’m grateful to the amazing people I have in my life who look after my boys while I’m away.

Bert is snoring. I’m chilling after the drive home. I spent most of it processing the past two days of learning. Looking forward to seeing the Oversized Labrador tomorrow.

More learning next week as we are off to our first training camp. So that’ll be fun…

Well that’s another certificate for the collection. I’m very proud of this one. I started the Centre10 APEC programme six months ago with three days in Bath. Since then I’ve been plugging away at the modules. Today was the final part in Rugby.

I’ve really enjoyed this course. I found the subject matter interesting. It’s based around sports psychology, but aimed at Equestrian Coaches. Some of it I grasped quickly as it aligns with some of the other courses and qualifications I’ve done. Other bits really challenged me. In a good way.

I wasn’t expecting to do a deep dive into my own stuff along the way. It’s given me insights into me as a rider as well as means a coach.

One of my reflections was how I felt like a total imposter on Day One. I’m a BHS 0, an enthusiastic amateur (focus on the enthusiastic) rider. Being in a room with Fellows, Performance Coaches and people who’d achieved things I couldn’t imagine was rather daunting. Then we started the course and I realised my life experiences, career and coaching qualifications brought a different perspective. Things I found easy and comfortable, threw others for a loop. Just goes to show we’re all different. And all have our strengths.

I’ve learnt a lot about myself. It’s highlighted more areas that I need to look at. And given me more strategies to help. Sure I have a lot of tools in my toolbox, this has given me even more…