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!
This evening I did something a bit different. I was an extra in a real-life crime recreation programme. It was set in the early 90s and all I had to do was stand around chatting. As you can imagine, that was quite a stretch!!
In typical Pip-fashion, I ended up chatting with the leading lady and coached her as she was little nervous.
So who knows, I might be on TV.
I’m home after the second day of camp. And what a fun day it’s been. Woke up to thick fog. A total whiteout. So wasn’t sure how our XC lesson would go. I needn’t have worried as the sun burnt through and I was soon wishing for the cool.
I have to admit, I was a little apprehensive about taking Buddy out on the course. It’s been a few months since we had a run. And the last ODE we did there, we had to withdraw. But I needn’t have worried. We were storming round the fences before I knew it.
There were lots of positives to take. Just one blip where Buddy obviously thought there were lions behind the fence as he really wasn’t happy. One thing I know about my boy is that he doesn’t over-react without good reason. Got him settled eventually. And we carried on.
Came back with a huge smile on my face! When I got back I heard that there had reports of a puma sighting nearby, so who knows?!
After lunch, we did a grids lesson. We were both tired, but still got a lot from it. It was a very different grid – working on straightness and adaptability. I’ll be setting that up at home.
We’ll both sleep well tonight, that’s for sure. I do love going to training camps. I’ve met so many fab people that way. We have such a laugh too. Here’s to more next year!
Someone is very relaxed being back at Blackwater for our last camp of the year. He looked like he was playing peekaboo behind his haynet.
He really does love a B&B. And so do I. I’m tucked up in my lorry. As I was away last weekend, I didn’t put the bed away! So one less job to sort out.
We had two lessons today. Poles this morning and course jumping this afternoon. Buddy was great in both. I managed to make both more complicated that it needed to be.
It’s good to be back learning again though.
I am so saddened to hear of the passing of our Queen. She embodied everything that was good about our country.
She had an unenviable role. Which she did with grace, dignity and charm. And for 70 years.
Whatever you think of the monarchy, you have to admire the way she reigned.
It’s a sad day indeed. 😢 The Queen is dead, Long live the King.
Thank you your Majesty. May you live on in our hearts. Rest in peace. Tonight I raise a glass in your honour…
Buddy blew me a bubble tonight when I lunged him. How cute! Today’s been a catch up day. It’s been a busy few days (weeks/months) so there was a lot to catch up on.
The aftermath of the Champs needed sorting. As did the mountain of laundry. I was feeling rather pleased with myself for getting it almost dry on the line. When a thunderstorm hit (still not complaining about the rain).
I made a start on sorting the lorry too. I was too tired to do it on Saturday when I got back. Thankfully I don’t need to do a full clean as we’re off to a training camp on Saturday.
I’ve been covering the reception desk at my chiropractor’s this week as her receptionist is away on holiday. It’s been a lot of fun.
One of the other plus side is that I get to choose the music. Yesterday we had 80s hits. Today it was feel good songs. It’s proved quite the conversation starter. So many comments about the tracks. I even had a few people say they’d never noticed music was playing before.
Lots of toe tapping too. And I may have had a dance between clients. Music really is emotive. It was so interesting listening to peoples memories linked to the tracks.
The chiro may have gotten a bit excited today when she saw raindrops on the window today. Till I told her it was the window cleaner.
I, on the other hand, was not as thrilled when I was woken up at 3am by heavy rain and thunderclaps overhead. I’m not going to complain as we desperately need the rain. And it gave me something to chat about at work today. Weirdly it seems it was another localised storm as none of the clients had had rain last night.
I‘d forgotten just how stunning Burghley House is. It was definitely worth the 5:30am alarm call to get there for the final inspection. Having been away, I hadn’t had a chance to catch up on any of the XC action from yesterday. It seems like it was a tough track so there weren’t as many as I’d expected.
Got to watch some great show jumping and thrilled for Alice Casburn and Piggy March! Norfolk girls representing!!
It’s been an amazing weekend. I’ve driven nearly 400 miles. Spend some time with wonderful people. Achieved something I didn’t think I could. I’m now flopped on the sofa watching the Burghley highlights. I’m officially shattered.
I felt this needed its own post. There’s a lot to cover, so brace yourself. It could be a long one. I am so proud of Buddy. It’s the furthest we’ve travelled. Our first stay away competition. And my god it was a big one!
I’ve been to big horse shows before. Hell I grew up near Hickstead and that’s pretty big. But I hadn’t expected it to be as big as it was. Our first NAF Five Star British Riding Club Championships was very special indeed.
We had a long wait as we weren’t jumping till 3:45pm in the first round. But that didn’t mean I had an easy day. I walked backwards and forwards trying to see all the other Carleton RC members in action. I also did a stint stewarding one of the dressage rings. Which turned into two rings as there was a no-show for thier steward. Good job I’m used to multi-tasking and love a clipboard. Two clipboards and I was in heaven!!
Finally it was our time. Watching everyone else do so brilliantly, I really wanted to do well. More than anything, I just didn’t want us to embarrass the club.
Buddy warmed in beautiful. However, the collecting ring was heaving and he got rather tense. As did I. Quick pep-talk and we settled. He had ants in his pants and wanted to get on with it. And when we entered the ring, he did. He stormed round the course, hardly looking at anything. Sadly we had 4 poles. But that’s OK. He did what I asked of him and it was a very buzzy atmosphere. With 5 rings running constantly and an awful lot to look at!
Then it was onto Round 2. Now when I qualified, it was run over the same course. As this was the Champs, it was a different course in a different ring. That ring was running early (whereas my first round was running late), meaning we didn’t have long to wait before it was our turn again.
The downside to walking both courses together was that I’d spent so long visualising how I was going to ride the first course, I’d forgotten how I’d walked the second course. As a result, it didn’t had the flow I wanted. And sadly we were eliminated. The commentator made a comment about a sad end to my day. Not a bit of it!! I was thrilled with the day as I wasn’t totally sure if I’d actually get Buddy in the ring!
I must have been the happiest person after getting eliminated.
Once more, my team mates did amazingly and our team came home with 7th place out of 22. So not only did we compete at our first Championships, we came home with a placing!
Next year, we will be better.… I’ve already said I want to do it again. Thank you for all the messages of support. It means so much.
Buddy is tucked up in bed. And so I am. We will both sleep well tonight.
This made me laugh this morning. Buddy must have had a good night as he ended up with rather a lot of his bed in his water bucket.
Tales, Tails and Talus 