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!
Buddy and I headed over to Thurne to meet up with a friend and her horse for a hack this morning. It’s been a while, so we had a lot to catch up. Good job we were out for 1.5 hours then.
There were so many boats on the Broads. It was lovely to see.
When I got back I decided to give Buddy’s bedroom a clear out and packed away his winter rugs. So I apologise now if we have a cold snap…
Buddy and I went to a bitting clinic. It was really interesting to get a different perspective on things. Buddy was on high-alert for some reason. And wasn’t at his most co-operative. But we worked through that.
I showed her the video from our SJ round last week. That helped her get a sense of the issues we’ve been having with inconsistent contact. Then she watched us in action. She could see I’m trying to be consistent but he was too busy looking ‘outside the classroom’.
She said he was very fleshy lips and didn’t like too much tongue pressure.
All was going well, till she let me know that I had his bit in back to front and upside down. 🤦🏻♀️
Funnily, he went nicer in it when it was corrected. Honestly, I wish they came with instructions sometimes!
She likes him in it for SJ / XC but recommended a different bit for dressage. We tried a few before hitting on one that felt better. It was really interesting feeling his reaction to different bits.
It makes our achievements all the more special given my ineptitude with his bit.
I had to get some cat food for the kittens and saw these treats. As you can see they’re a big hit!
I loved Garfield when I was a kid. And no, it wasn’t just because we shared a love of lasagne. The cartoons used to make me laugh. The characterisation was in point! But also because of Garfield’s teddy bear Pookie.
Why? Well because that was my parent’s nickname for me when I was growing up. So seeing these treats, made me smile.
After my lorry fare earlier in the week, today I had royal fare! I had lunch with the Queen! Well a cardboard cutout of her, but it counts, right?!
People think I’m joking when I say that I’m ‘culinarily challenged’ or that I shouldn’t be allowed sharp objects. I give you exhibit A.
Yes I somehow managed to snap the end off of a paring knife. Not that I was using it to pare anything. Or that I know what paring is. But apparently cutting a cucumber was too much for me (and said knife).
It’s a wonder I’m still alive some days.
Wonderful you be able to have breakfast and lunch on the patio. What a glorious day here in Norfolk.
I had to take a horse to Newmarket this afternoon. As it was getting late, I pulled over by the gallops for a pit stop. A sausage rolls, Pringles and a coffee in a lay-by is proper lorry fare.
While sat there I watched a man throwing a spanner into a tree to get a drone down. 😂
It’s amazing the things you get to see if you stop and admire the view.
So it seemed that I wasn’t to do any work today. My laptop did an update this morning. Nothing unusual there. 6 hours it took in the end. And multiple reboots, diagnostics and much swearing. I’m blaming the full moon, lunar eclipse and solar flares. 😂
Still my day wasn’t all bad. Took Buddy down the road to the Hall and popped a few jumps in the sun. He got a picnic hack on the way back. He loves this time of year when the cow parsley and cleavers are out. He practically inhales them.
Think my smile says it all. Still on cloud nine after our win yesterday.
What a fabulous day it’s been. Took Buddy over to Easton for a spot of show jumping. After doing so well at the last show, I stepped him up to 70cm and 80cm. Boy did he deliver!!
We only went and won the 70cm!!! It was a lovely flowing course so I knew we could cover the ground in the timed section. I let him run to the last and he came back when I asked to fly it.
It was a huge class too so had a long wait to get the result. I kept thinking that someone would get a faster time. But not today! It’s not often we bag a red one. So savouring it.
Then onto the 80cm. Still on a high, I didn’t care what happened. But Buddy was up for it. Punched a skinny out early in the course so decided to go for a fast 4 faults.
Once more, my little boy flew round. And we came away with 6th place and the second fastest 4 faults.
I’m still beaming!!
We’ve been training so hard and it’s a wonderful feeling when it all comes together. Back to Eventing soon me thinks. For now, I’m celebrating cause we did good!!
