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!

Be prepared

First training camp of the year and in typical fashion, it tips it down!! Learning from previous experience, I packed extra clothes this time.

Good job too! Soaked through after the first lesson. Second set of clothes on – including a different coat for the second lesson. Seems the one I have isn’t waterproof. But then, there was a lot of rain!!

Ever resourceful, I made a washing line out of a lunge line so I can hang everything up to dry. My Dad was a scout leader when I was growing up so I was practically raised with the motto ‘be prepared’.

Pleased to report that both lessons went brilliantly. We have definitely improved since the last camp. I even got a ‘good’ from the instructor. That rarely happens. 😝

Be prepared

First training camp of the year and in typical fashion, it tips it down!! Learning from previous experience, I packed extra clothes this time.

Good job too! Soaked through after the first lesson. Second set of clothes on – including a different coat for the second lesson. Seems the one I have isn’t waterproof. But then, there was a lot of rain!!

Ever resourceful, I made a washing line out of a lunge line so I can hang everything up to dry. My Dad was a scout leader when I was growing up so I was practically raised with the motto ‘be prepared’.

Pleased to report that both lessons went brilliantly. We have definitely improved since the last camp. I even got a ‘good’ from the instructor. That rarely happens. 😝

Support local

I love getting texts telling me where my blood donation has gone. It’s been sent far and wide. Looks like I’m supporting local this time and it’s only gone down the road.

Seems quite appropriate as I’m a member of Buy Local Norfolk. And I spent two nights at JPH when I had Covid.

Bluebells

Well today felt like we’d gone back to winter! It’s been torrential rain, hail and very cold. Rather fortunate to time it right and be able to hack in the sunshine.

The rain has meant that the bluebells in my front garden have exploded! I do love bluebells.

And so it begins

Well it was bound to happen at some point. Dodo and Hugo are growing up fast. Not sure which one is responsible for this, but it means I will have to be more careful where I tread. Nearly stood on it in my rush to get to the loo. 🤦🏻‍♀️

The bonus of living near the train line is that everything gets flung over the fence.

Self-care

Well I don’t know how Buddy feels today, but I’m a tad achey. Definitely feeling it after yesterday.

After catching up on house jobs, I headed to the sofa for a bit of self-care Pip-style. I haven’t watched Wall-e for ages. I’d forgotten how lovely it is. A pretty good end to a pretty good weekend.

Aftermath

One thing I’d forgotten about Eventing is the amount of stuff you need. And the amount of washing there is to do afterwards! Once again, my conservatory looks like a Chinese laundry.

Got 2 saddles and a bridle to clean but ran out of steam. It’s totally worth it though.

Back to Eventing

First One Day Event of 2021.

Not our best day. But far from our worst. 35.25 for dressage. Which is our best score at an ODE.

Buddy was super relaxed and so was I. Got 7 x 7’s and nothing less than a 6. So really happy with that!

SJ I wasn’t sure how he was going to be but he was up for it. Flew round clear! There were 2 doubles so absolutely thrilled.

Then on to XC. He was like Tigger on acid in the warm up. Jogging everywhere and not listening. Took him to the start box and he turned into Eeyore. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Run out at no 2 and a few interesting lines. Then another stop on the smallest fence on the course. Still we completed. We came home with a cricket score but I don’t care.

It’s been a long time since we did an ODE. I’m chuffed with us today.

Feisty

We have a new resident at the yard. Meet Feisty the Pheasant. He decided to join us today for our ride.

Buddy wasn’t bothered in the least.

If only he was the same when we meet them out on the tracks. 😝