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Moist

Took Buddy to Carleton Riding Club’s first show of 2023. It was a beautiful morning as I sat having breakfast in the conservatory. Fast forward a few hours and it started to rain as I loaded Buddy. The closer I got to Easton, the heavier the rain got.

Tacked Buddy up and my thinking was do the course walk, then ride him in. They’d sensibly delayed the start of the class till after the emergency test thing. Went to check and once more, I’d missed the course walk.

Cracked on instead. Poor Buddy was soaked and so was I before we’d even jumped a fence!

Soon it was our turn. Entered the ring, only for the commentator to call out the wrong name. Quick trip to the box to sort it out and we were off. Super pleased with Buddy. He stormed round the 70cm. I’d seen a few fences causing issues in the 60cm so was mindful. Would have had a faster time too. We had a bit of a stag leap over the second to last fence. It meant I landed in a heap and had to get my knitting back before heading to the final jump. Still thrilled with a clear round and 4th place.

Then it was time for 80cm. Hallelujah, I walked the course this time!! It was a very twisty course, but looked easily doable. Popped Buddy over a couple of fences and he felt really good.

I got a big Gung-ho and pushed him out of his rhythm a few times. So even though we had a fast time, we had 3 down. Still I don’t care as he didn’t refuse and was definitely up for it today.

I’ve been playing around with my stirrup length and have found that just by putting them down one hole, it’s made a massive difference to the way I ride. I can now really get my leg on him before a fence.

I may have been rather moist and had to peel my riding tights off. But I’m a very happy girl today. Oh and my new show jacket is lush!!

Dramarama

Back home after a very long day at the BRC Intermediate Champs in Onley. I wasn’t competing, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t in on all the action.

Up for the Arena Walk, which mostly involved me taking my jacket on and off, jumping up and down and generally desensitising the horses to the fact the viewing gallery was rather close to the arenas.

Then it was helping one of the rider get ready for her test. Well I was until another rider’s horse managed to pull a shoe off and cut herself. Once the first rider was onboard, I rushed to get the vet and find a farrier. The later proved more challenging as there wasn’t one onsite. After ringing round as many farriers as we could Google. We found one who would put the shoe on. But only if we took the horse to him.

Cue 1.5 hour roadtrip to the farrier’s house! Where he put the shoe back on on his driveway. I kid you not!!

We managed to made it back in time for her to plait, get signed off by the vet and get ridden in for her test. Phew!

Good job I’m calm in a crisis.

Pony party

Arrived at Onley this evening with my charge all ready for tomorrow’s competition. I’ve driven a friend’s lorry and her horse up here for as she’s coming back from holiday tonight. It made a change driving a 7.5t lorry. The joys of being of a certain age is that my driving licence means I can drive it without the need for an extra test.

Now snuggled up in the lorry for the night.

Dancing in the rain

We headed down to Halesworth this afternoon for a lesson with Jo Winfield. She’s one of my favourite instructors. I love my lessons with her at BHS camp. She’s so insightful, knowledgeable and an amazing coach.

So I jumped at the chance to have a private lesson with her. I may have been slightly regretting my sense of adventure when the sat nav took me down some rather narrow roads. But The Buddymobile got us there safely.

I was slightly regretting my decision as well after leaving the yard in beautiful sunshine, to arrive at the venue in rain. Reminded me of that quote about learning to dance in the rain. Well Buddy definitely had his dancing shoes on today!!

Jo was incredibly complementary about our progress. She said she could see that we’ve been working hard on our flat work since she last saw us. And thought Buddy looked very fit and well.

Helps that I’ve finally found a snaffle bit that Buddy seems to like. Long may that continue.

Didn’t care that I got soaked. I came away beaming.

Jack of all trades

I went to a networking event this morning. It was lovely being back meeting people in person again.

I got chatting to a lovely lady. And we both confessed to being a jack of all trades.

This is something that has definitely strengthened my career. It’s given me lots of opportunities to try new things and learn new skills.

I must admit, I had always been made to feel like it was a bad thing. That I should stick to one thing. Then I heard the full quote. Boy that was a lightbulb moment!! It was for her when I told her too.

So here’s to all the generalists, the multi-skilled and the jacks of all trades.

I love the variety of my working day. And my life in general. I’d be very bored if it was the same every day.

Recharge

I’ve been feeling a little out of sorts recently so I went to get a ‘hug from the Universe’ from Liz Gilmour Therapies.

It always helps to recharge my batteries, clear out any energetic crud and give me a different perspective on things.

I felt about 2 stone lighter leaving. Metaphorically of course, I can’t afford to lose any more weight.

Shiver me timbers

Today I did something I haven’t done for a very long time. I went to play adventure golf. It’s been so long, it’s been rebranded as I knew it as crazy golf.

My golf skills are very rusty so I didn’t do that well. But it was a laugh. And something different to do on a Monday afternoon.

Blathering

Fab day at Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials. Bumped into so many people, it was lovely catching up with everyone.

Made some new friends too. One of those random moments where you get chatting to someone at a fence. Next thing you know you’ve spent several hours chatting. Then they pop home and bring a bottle of wine to share with everyone.

The eventing at inspiring too. So many top riders to geek over. And top horses to dribble over. I came away rather rosey cheeked (sunburn not the wine), very inspired and with a new show jacket. We will definitely look the part if nothing else.

Today has been a very good day.

Striding

Well my day went sideward this morning. I had planned to be inspired at Burnham Market Horse Trails, but sadly the competitions were abandoned. Something made me check before I left. Grateful I did. But given I was woken up at 3am by torrential rain, it was hardly a surprise.

With a totally free day, I decided to have a house / garden day instead. I got two loads of washing out on the line. And spend a few very productive hours in the garden. I need a good few more out there though.

Finally I took Buddy out for a long hack in the sunshine. Someone was striding out today. He’s obviously feeling very well at the moment. Best view in the world.

I’m now going to Burnham Market tomorrow instead. So I will get my eventing inspiration after all.