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 wild

I went out!! For dinner!! And found this!! How often do you find a drink with your name on it?! Many have called me wild in the past. Others have said Pip and wild belong together. Now I agree. And it tasted good too.

Gung ho Pip

Well it was bound to happen eventually. After 5 weeks on one leg (and a few near misses), I’ve just had my first tumble. 😔 Before everyone worries, I’m absolutely fine. Just my pride bruised (again). I got a bit cocksure with my hopping and didn’t jump as high as I needed to so caught my good foot on the door step. My first thought what how do I get up?! Well actually my first thought was ouch! My second thought was how do I get up. I didn’t have my frame or crutches so managed to crawl to my walker and pull myself up. Not easy on one leg I can assure you. Still, no harm done and I live to fight another day. Cast still intact too. Honestly, it’s a wonder I’m still alive some days. 😂

And yes, I will be more careful. Gung ho Pip strikes again. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Find common ground

I love plants and this one is beautiful! A good friend came over today and 2 hours went in the blink of an eye, we barely took breath! But as she pointed out, there aren’t many friends where you can spend the whole time talking about falling off your horses and how much it bloody hurts…

Always learning

So I’ve started doing an online course in Life Coaching. It’s really interesting and it’s fun to learn something new. A lot of it so far I already know from mentoring and coaching for years, but it’s always good to have a refresher. I’m not sure if anything will come from it, but it’s always good to have more strings to ones bow so to speak. 😊

My brain is aching a bit, which makes a change from my body. 😂

Best laid plans

I’m always looking for the perfect riding coat. And I found this beauty. But it’s way to nice to get covered in horse slober, so I’m keeping it ‘for best’ as my Nana would say. Got to wear it out today as I went for lunch with a friend. My treat I said to say thanks for all her help while I’ve been on box rest. Ended up more of a ‘trick’ as the card machine wasn’t working and my poor friend had to find the nearest cash machine while I sat in the cafe waiting. Doh! Still we had a lovely lunch in the end.

I do love a gadget

There have been many times in my life where I’ve had a ‘gosh I wish I’d thought of that’ moment. This was one! Such a simple idea but should save me time when I get back from an outing. Buddy is rather prolific when it comes using the lorry as a toilet when we’re out. 💩 It usually takes an age to clear all the poo out of the trailer grooves. I have been known to get a hoof pick out and my poor broom is worn bare. But no more, this handy tool will definitely help. And I can use it as a shavings fork when we’re B&Bing. Two for the price of one! Genius!!

Plant seeds

This photo came up on my memories today and still makes me laugh. I was about 8 and it was the closest I got to Pony Club. I didn’t get my own horse till I was in my 20s. As a kid, I used to jump round courses on my space hopper, using plant pots and bamboo stick, pretending I was at Hickstead. Well it was 15 mins down the road from where I grew up. One day I’d love to compete there for real…