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!

Zigzag

Well that’s another camp done and dusted. It’s been great being away – even if I was a tad envious of everyone. I think I’m more shattered being a camp helper than I’ve ever been as a camp rider!! I have a new found respect for the instructors.

I clocked up an average of 5 miles each day. And I barely left the arena! As soon as one group finished, the next were in and ready to get going. It was a marathon each day. Never picked up so many poos. Or moved so many poles and jumps. I certainly got a workout.

It was very emotional at times watching the riders’ improvements over the lessons. Seeing riders overcome their personal demons and achieve things they didn’t think they could.

And it wasn’t just the riders. The horses grew in confidence. So wonderful to see them smiling as much as the riders.

As much as I want to get back there with Buddy. I know I can’t rush his rehab. We will be back, better than before I have no doubt about that.

It was great catching up with everyone. Some I’ve known a long time. Others I’ve just met. All bonded by the shared experience and memories made. Till next time…

Candles and cakes

Day 2 of camp done. Many more poles and poos done. Massive improvements from so many riders. It was a pleasure to watch.

You really do get a different perspective from the ground. I’m finding it fascinating. I’m also getting just how much I’ve learned over the years. Well you’d like to think so after the hundreds of lessons I’ve had something’s would sink in.

Got to walk off another horse today after his lessons. The beast that is Bruno. He’s massive! But such a sweet boy.

We spent our last evening in a gazebo chatting the night away and eating cake. There are no calories at camp! The camp onesie was much needed tonight. As were the candles. They do make you feel a bit warmer. I know it’s psychological.

Poos & poles

First day of camp done. I was on poos and poles duty. So lovely watching everyone progress throughout the day. Seeing confidence boosted by great instructors.

I did have a couple of moments where I wished it had been us. Especially when the jumps went up. It will be before I know it.

I did get to put my bum in a saddle as I took Archie for a little hack to cool him off after his lesson. He’s such a dude!

Luxury

I’ve arrived at Forest Edge for camp. This will be camp not Buddy. I decided to come solo and be a helper instead. The advantage to not coming with Buddy or in the Buddymobile is that I get to sleep in luxury as I’m sharing a friend’s motorhome.

Very grateful for heating and a proper bed as the temperature has dropped. Honestly, it’s June! Not sure I’ve brought enough warm clothes…

If all else fails, I will be supporting everyone from the warmth of the cafe. It’ll be rather different. But looking forward learning lots.

Archie

Another day and another set of ears. I am a very lucky girl indeed to get the chance to ride so many different horses.

Each one makes me smile in their own way. They’re all very different. Today I got to jump Archie. He was a total dreamboat.

Reminds me that not only am I good rider. I am a confident rider too. Having only sat on him once very briefly, today I got on and popped him round a few jumps.

Took me a few jumps to work him out. And him me. I haven’t jumped a different horse for a while so I’m rather used to Buddy. Once we worked each other out, it felt so good to be jumping again.

It wasn’t that long ago that my confidence was shattered. It’s been a long road to getting back to me. I’m sure there are many silver linings to Buddy being off games. This is definitely one.

Special lady

This afternoon I had the honour of riding a very special horse. One I’ve known for a number of years but have never ridden before. So when I was offered the chance, I wasn’t passing it up.

That and it meant I got to catch up with a good friend too. It’s wonderful that people trust me with their horses. Carla and I chatted the whole way round. It was lovely to ride somewhere else too. We clearly need to catch up more regularly as we talked for another 4 hours!!

Missy was a total poppet. I understand why Martine adored her. And how special she really is. It’s clear that Carla has the same love for her. So made it even more special to be able to take her out.

D-Day

Today is the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. In 2012, I got the chance to visit Normandy Beach and see the landing sites for myself.

The craters are still there. The reminders everywhere. The landscape permanently scarred. As were those ‘lucky’ enough to come home. The horrors they experience we fear to imagine. Sacrifices made we barely comprehend.

This was no Hollywood action movie. War knows no compassion. Violence is indiscriminate. The First World War was meant to be the ‘war that ended all wars’. We’re not doing so well there, are we? Sadly wars still rage around the world.

One day, I pray we learn the lesson.

Sitting in quiet contemplation at the graveyard, I’ve never felt so humble or close to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

We will never forget.

Chainsaw massacre

I got to use my birthday present from my Dad for the first time. I love that when I say I want a chainsaw for my birthday, he goes along with it. I know where I get my sense of adventure from. Some people in my life live in fear of me using power tool. For good reason – it’s not always been a success.

It’s so cool. Makes short work of the branches that are too big for the secateurs. Saved so much time.

I’m getting new neighbours soon. The son and daughter-in-law of a couple who live down the close. Thought I better make an effort to tidy this border as it overlooks their driveway. Might have got a bit carried away. Thankfully full brown bin stopped play.

Well kinda. I thought I’d see how my little chainsaw coped with the large conifers along my driveway. Let’s just say it was a success. But I will need to make a trip to the tip soon.

The only problem I’ve found with it (well apart from it being a bit too efficient) is that it’s designed for right handed people. So ‘cack-handed Annie’ as my Mother used to call me had to work that one out!

Oh and for everyone worrying, I was VERY careful!

Sleepy heads

This is what the kittens think of things. They have clearly decided to sleep through it. Can’t blame them. I wish I could. I felt rather tired when I work up this morning. Guess a day trip to Birmingham will do that to you.

Still I had a super productive admin day. Finally ticked a few things off the list that have been hanging around for a while. Very satisfying.

Less satisfying was the fact that having been dry all day, the heavens opened as I headed to the yard. Good job I’m not a fair-weather equestrian!! Picked the wrong country for that.

One good thing about the rain is that it makes weeding easier. Cleared a big patch of weeds on my driveway when I got back. Trouble is this wet / warm weather is perfect growing weather. Let’s hope they don’t come back too soon. I’ve still got a lot of weeds to tackle!!and more undergrowth to cull.

Moving feast

I had a bit of a food fail today. I had to do a day trip to Birmingham to do a site visit for a conference I’m working on. I wasn’t hungry on my way there, so didn’t bother stopping. On the way back, I thought I’d treat myself to an M&S Best Prawn Sandwich. It’s a bit of a guilty pleasure.

Played Russian roulette with my fuel gauge but made it to the BP in Kettering. Once the Comedy Car was refuelled, I headed into the M&S food bit to refuel me. Not a single sandwich, wrap or roll to be seen!!

Apparently the delivery lorry broke down. By this point it was 4:30pm and I was really hungry. So had to make do with a finger buffet instead. Slightly eclectic mix, but it was slim pickings. And what I had was so good (even if it was meant to be heated).