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!

Monsoon

Well it was monsoon season in Norwich this afternoon. There was rather a lot of rain.

I’ve been peopling this week so been having some wonderful chats. It’s lovely to catch up with lots of the clients I haven’t seen for a while. One even squealed when she arrived and saw me behind the desk.

Another arrived soaked to the bone after getting caught in the deluge. Ever practical, I got her a towel and a gown to change into while I put her clothes in the tumble drier. She was very thankful indeed.

Sometimes a little act of kindness can make a huge difference. Though she did get a few odd looks in the gown.

Horse girls

This might have made me laugh just a little bit too hard when I saw it.

There are lots of advantages to being a horse girl. We’re made of tough stuff. We rarely cry when a 600kg lump stands on our foot, bites us or barges us out the way. We’re stronger than we look as we manhandle straw, shavings and full wheelbarrows about. We also have the ability to switch from a whisper to a roar in a heart beat (usually when our dearly beloved horse is misbehaving).

We can spend hours outdoors at the yard. And literally pay people to judge us.

We seek each other out. We recognise each other (and not just by the smell or the random bits of hay in our hair).

I’m sure there are many more too. But one thing is for sure. We get shit done and don’t take any in return.

School day

This was one of my Burghley purchases. I got to meet the author and she signed it for me.

I’ve been very lucky to have a couple of lessons with her. She was super informative and really helped us. I learnt a lot in a short space of time. Things I still use today when jumping.

This afternoon I sat in the shade and read it. I do love an informative book. And an informative horsey book is even better. Sure it’ll help once we get back to eventing.

But to be honest, I feel like a winner everyday I get to ride Buddy. Of course, I’m not going to say no to a few more red ones.

Not cricket

Blimey it’s been hotter than Satan’s armpit today! I thought I’d treat Buddy to a bubble bath this morning. Well you’d think I was trying to kill him from his reaction. Funny boy.

He was not happy at having his mane or tail washed. And tried to trash his new shoes by scrapping the ground in disgust. Still he looked very smart after a tidy up post-bath. And I was very happy to get wet!

He retired to his field. While I retired to the shade with the kittens and a few good podcasts. There are so many crickets in the garden. Found this chap on my car chirping away.

It was a little bit like being on holiday. Sat in the heat, listening to them. Headed indoors to watch England in the football and now the rugby. No cricket though. I’ll leave them outside.

Beat the heat

Up early today to beat the heat and meet Katie over at Blickling. We were in the saddle by 9:45am. And I’d mucked out before driving there. First time I’ve beaten Katie there. The traffic was very kind. Well for me.

There are so many paths through the woods, that for the most part, we were in the shade. It was blissfully cool in there.

The humidity soon started to build though so headed back for an afternoon of meeting. Then back to the yard as Buddy had the farrier. It was much cooler so decided to poo-pick his field.

Turns out, it wasn’t as cool as I thought. My brain was obviously a bit fried. I spent 10 mins looking for my car keys. Feared I’d dropped them in a field. Only to find them sitting on my car seat. With the windows open. Good job the yard is in a safe area. Though not sure there are many people who’d want to steal the Comedy Car.

Wilting

Headed over to Mousehold Farm for a jumping clinic this evening.

We haven’t been out jumping since Hickstead, so we were a little ring rusty. Buddy was full of it too. Still we jumped everything. And once I realised that I was getting ahead of the movement and changed my position, we left them all up. Funny how your horse can jump better when you stay out of his way.

For an English Rose who wilts in the heat, I was questioning if jumping tonight was a good idea. But it was cooler than I thought it would be. We were still a tad warm afterwards. There was lots to like and another new venue for us.

Achievements

I finally got round to framing some more photos. These represent three of my biggest achievements with Buddy. I’m very proud of them. And what we’ve achieved together.

Funnily it was FB telling me that it was a year since I posted the pictures from our first BRC Champs that spurred me into action.

I bought the frames a while back too. Today was the day to get them sorted. Just need to get them on the wall now. Let’s hope that doesn’t take me another year…

Human

I stood for 10 hours today as I was covering reception for my chiro. Cause my legs weren’t aching enough after walking miles round Burghley. Let’s just say there was lots of stretching going on behind the desk.

Being human seemed to be the theme of the day. That and technical gremlins. There seemed to be lots of equipment misbehaving today.

Saw this quote and it really resonated. Lots of the clients and I discussed how looks can be very deceiving. Life is full of ups and downs. Riding the rollercoaster makes us human.

I do love peopling.

Boobs

I had to go and have a routine mammogram today. Wasn’t quite what I expected. A mobile unit in the local camping and caravan shop car park. Still it worked. And thankfully it had air conditioning.

Not the most pleasurable experience. But it was OK. And good to get my boobs checked.

I had a bit of a medical day as I went to give blood first. That was donation number 62. Let’s hope I don’t get to 62 mammograms, my poor boobs would be well and truly squished.

Bye bye Burghley

That’s Burghley done for another year. Another fantastic experience and more memories made. Lovely company. Lovely weather. And lots of lovely horses. What more could you want.

My legs are aching and my feet are very sore. I think I’ve probably done a full week’s worth of steps this weekend and some.

Given the number of people who attend each year, I’m always amazed at how many people I bump into. So lovely to see so many familiar faces.

The only blip on a wonderful weekend, was losing my notch bracelet. Still no sign of it, but hopefully it’ll turn up.

I’ve come home inspired. Bye bye Burghley. Till next year…