Welcome to blog! I started it in 2020 to chart my recovery from breaking my ankle (hence the name). I guess no-one saw a global pandemic coming. It's turned into a place where I can talk about the things happening in my life, my horse and my cats. Enjoy!
Author: langlep
So 2020 was going to be my year. The year I got my life sorted after being served redundancy notice from my job in November 2019. The year I ticked off more things from my horsey bucket list. The year I got my mental health back under control and reduced stress in my life.
I had a plan. And it was a good one. Then the plan changed dramatically on 2 January. I came off my horse at speed and broke my ankle. Badly. Like all good equestrians, I got back on and rode back to the yard, sorted Buddy out and then drove myself to A&E. That’s where this journey really began...
I was sent home from A&E and told to crack on, only to receive a phone call later to say they’d missed a fracture (and a rather serious one at that). Whoops! So fracture clinic on 3 January, surgery on 5 January and home to recover.
I started this blog as a way to chart my recover back to the saddle. As I cleared clinics and competitions out of my diary and wondered what the next few months would bring, it's been a safe space for me to say how I'm feeling.
The new plan was to get a new job, to keep Buddy is kept ticking over and recover from my injury. Another good plan! I didn't expect a global pandemic, lockdown and all that happened in 2020.
This blog has changed over time but it's continued to be my safe space to share the things going on in my life, with Buddy and the cats. Enjoy!
Fab day at Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials. Bumped into so many people, it was lovely catching up with everyone.
Made some new friends too. One of those random moments where you get chatting to someone at a fence. Next thing you know you’ve spent several hours chatting. Then they pop home and bring a bottle of wine to share with everyone.
The eventing at inspiring too. So many top riders to geek over. And top horses to dribble over. I came away rather rosey cheeked (sunburn not the wine), very inspired and with a new show jacket. We will definitely look the part if nothing else.
Well my day went sideward this morning. I had planned to be inspired at Burnham Market Horse Trails, but sadly the competitions were abandoned. Something made me check before I left. Grateful I did. But given I was woken up at 3am by torrential rain, it was hardly a surprise.
With a totally free day, I decided to have a house / garden day instead. I got two loads of washing out on the line. And spend a few very productive hours in the garden. I need a good few more out there though.
Finally I took Buddy out for a long hack in the sunshine. Someone was striding out today. He’s obviously feeling very well at the moment. Best view in the world.
I’m now going to Burnham Market tomorrow instead. So I will get my eventing inspiration after all.
I’ve seen this puzzle every time I’ve worked at the Chiropractors. But today was the first time I actually completed it! Only taken me two years or so to crack it.
A very windy ride round Blickling this morning. Made me think of the song ‘Dust in the wind’. Though it was a bit more like ‘dust in my eyes’.
Given it’s the Easter holidays, I’d expected it to be rather busy. Thankfully it wasn’t bad when we arrived. Much busier by the time we got back to the lorry. Lots of twists and turns around the estate today. And lots of off-roading. Still not sure I’ve seen all of it yet! I’ll just have to keep going back.
Spotted this weather vane on my way to collect The Comedy Car. It’s so cool. I’ve always wanted a weather vane, but not had a house that would suit one. It took a while to get the photo as the wind was whipping it about. Got there in the end. It was rather windy.
The Comedy Car has a new shiny tyre. And I took advantage of having The Buddymobile at home to give the living and the cab a good clean out. It’s amazing how dusty and dirty it gets.
Guess I’ll have to clean the inside of The Comedy Car. And the outside of The Buddymobile. Then both my vehicles will be shiny. And yes, those jobs are on the list…
I saw this quote today and it made me smile. I’m definitely an outdoor girl. After being ‘grounded’ yesterday, today it was lovely to be out and about again.
Dropped The Comedy Car off at the garage. Picked up The Buddymobile instead. Grateful that I have alternative transport – even if it’s a bit more of a challenge to park.
After meetings and cracking through my to-do list, I sat on the conservatory steps to drink my coffee. There was some warmth in the sun but the wind had some bite to it still. It filled my soul, that’s for sure.
I headed to the yard to meet a friend and her two daughters. They wanted to see Buddy. They helped me poo-pick his field (child labour at its finest). Gave him a lovely groom. Then came for a wander with us round the field. So lovely to be able to share my love of horses with them.
So it seems it was decided that I should have a house day today. Had planned to visit some friends but a flat tyre stopped that. There isn’t a spare in The Comedy Car (you’ve seen the size of it?!). With it being a bank holiday, I wasn’t sure where would be open. So that will have to wait till tomorrow.
Torrential rain was another factor. So I spent the day catching up on house stuff. I ended up having quite a productive day. As well as getting some much needed downtime. I sat in the conservatory, cuddling the kittens, catching up on some training and podcasts.
Buckle up people, this could be a long one. Buddy and I headed over to Blackwater for a spot of SJ as it was Carousel’s show. I’d entered the 70cm and 80cm – all good training for the Champs.
It struck me as I was driving there. Buddy has only ever jumped in the grass ring as part of an ODE. So doing two rounds in that ring would be a new thing for him. My aim was to have fun and see how it went. It’s only our second jumping competition of the year.
Buddy warmed up slightly feral. His allergies are back so he was throwing his head around a bit and tanking off round the collecting ring. Still he was flying the practise jump and felt really good.
Not sure how, but I managed to miss the course walk again. I think I was tacking up. It’s definitely one for me to work on. It was another twisty turny course with some interesting lines. But seemed to be riding OK.
Soon it was our turn and we entered – me determined, Buddy anxious. Tried my best to stay calm and keep him the same. Positive Pip was in full force as I coached him the entire way round. Still I got a few more fans who commented on how wonderful it was to hear me chatting away to him in such a positive manner. Even when it didn’t go to plan.
We ended up on 16 faults. But to be honest, I was thrilled to make it round the whole course!!
Bit of a breather till the 80cm. Buddy was in heaven being able to munch on the lush grass.
Eventually we headed back for the next class. This time, I’d had a serious word with myself. And Bartholomew, my chimp who’d come out to play. He was firmly put back in his box. And it seemed that a bit of grass and Buddy was much more willing to listen to me. He warmed up nicely this time.
We popped one last practice jump before we headed into the ring. I didn’t realise someone had put it up to 90cm! So we were both a little surprised when we came round the corner.
In the ring, it was a much calmer and fluid affair. I brought Buddy back to trot when needed as I’d decided to go for a slow and steady round. Imagine my surprise when we finished with a clear round!
There were only two clear rounds in the class. And the other one was by a 5* eventer on a young horse. I’ll take that any day!!
Can’t tell you how chuffed I am. Buddy isn’t the easiest horse to ride. And I’m not the best rider. But today it came together in a wonderful way.
Took Buddy over to Brampton for a hack with Katie and Archie. I’ve taken Buddy over many times before, but not for just a hack. It was fun to ride out somewhere new. Buddy was a little confused as we rode past the arena. And then past the arena at Oxnead. Another place he’s been before for lessons.
We chatted the whole way round. And then had a lovely coffee afterwards. We’re both rather partial to a coffee. In fact it was part of the invite. I’m a cheap date it seems.
Tales, Tails and Talus 