Welcome to blog! I started it in 2020 to chart my recovery from breaking my ankle (hence the name). I guess no-one saw a global pandemic coming. It's turned into a place where I can talk about the things happening in my life, my horse and my cats. Enjoy!
Not a clue how I actually managed to take this photo tonight. Let’s just go with I was trying to take an arty shot of the sunset over the polo arena. It’s still arty. Even if it was accidental.
I do love the view from the Clubhouse Bar at Hickstead.
This morning I headed off to my favourite horse show – Royal International, Hickstead. I was coming down on Sunday for the BRC Team of 3 competition. I have friends competing this weekend. So I thought balls to it, I’d come down for the weekend. I could catch up with my parents too.
Today was the Nations Cup. It was a cracking competition with Team GB taking the win! Watching John Whittaker riding at the top level at the ripe old age of 68 is inspirational to say the least.
Initially I was sad that Buddy and I aren’t here competing together. We will be back next year I’m sure. I get to share Hickstead with more people. I ended up speaking to some people by one of the rings. They’re local so laughed when I said I was too. And not at the same time.
They said it’s true that you don’t appreciate what you have on your doorstep. They come every year and can’t remember when they first came. It’s a family tradition.
After the competition had finished, I popped to surprise my Mum. Before heading to stay the night with my Dad.
Tomorrow I’ll be back at the Showground to support the showers, watch the jumpers and welcome my teams for Sunday. Might pop to the shops too. Well it would be rude not to really…
The kittens have abandoned the conservatory recently. Well except on the hottest days. Cause that’s where you need to be when it’s hot, a ridiculously hot place!
Today, they barely left it. Choosing to spend the day asleep instead. Cats are so funny. They definitely go through phases. One minute they have a special place. The next, they refuse to use it. It seems the chair is back in vogue. Let’s see how long it lasts…
Well this made me laugh. Apparently I might need Muscle & Focus as well as Buddy! This is his favourite food. I looked quite the sight lugging the bag across the yard. I hope he appreciates my efforts. Think the concentration says it all.
Definitely not a composed performance.
Good job I can laugh at myself. No really, it is!! And I bet you are giggling a little bit too.
I bought this patio rose about a month ago. It’s exploded with blooms overnight. It smells divine too. I sat on the patio for my breakfast and lunch sniffing it.
It’s called ‘Diamond Wishes’. It had to be done for My Absolute Diamond, Buddy. Not sure pink is his colour though. Thankfully he probably won’t see it.
Buddy has made many of my wishes come true. My current wish is for him to continue to recover from his injury so we can get back to the things we love doing.
I think it’s very pretty indeed. I do love a rose. Well I am an English one.
While I was journaling today a memory stirred, so I took a moment to look at it. I remembered being criticised for my ‘child-like excitement’ of things. I was told in no uncertain terms that I shouldn’t be so overly-excited about things. At the time, I wasn’t sure how to respond. So I ended up toning down my reactions so I’d ‘fit in more’.
As I’ve got older, I realised that actually there’s nothing wrong with being excited about stuff. Big stuff, little stuff and everything in between. In fact, being excited about stuff shows it means something.
I was very excited yesterday before and after jumping. It’s something I love doing. This week I’m excited about going to Hickstead, catching up with good friends and making more memories.
If that’s childish, then guilty as charged. I’m good with being young at heart. Life can be bloody serious sometimes. I know so many people facing serious stuff. If I can lighten the mood and make someone laugh with my enthusiasm for life, that’s gotta be a good thing.
Something very wonderful happened today. The wonderful Kim let me compete the equally wonderful Irish at our RC Show today. I took him for a spin round the 70cm, taking 6th place for the fastest 4 faults.
It’s wonderful for many reasons. Firstly, that someone would trust me with their precious horse. Secondly, the fact I’ve only ridden him once before and hasn’t jumped a course with him. Thirdly, it’s my first competition of 2024!
I didn’t ride as well as I know I can. I was too busy having a wonderful time – smiling and chatting away like a lunatic. I know the 4 faults were totally on me. I took an ‘eventing’ line to the last and he took it out.
I’m still beaming!! I’m such a lucky girl. I really am…
I bought a new shade sail to replace the one that was ripped. Today was the first real opportunity to put it up. I loved the old one, it worked a treat. Sadly one too many Summer storms saw the end of it.
Rather excited about my new one. Not to mention another glorious day. I grabbed the ladder and set about putting the new one up.
I ordered EXACTLY the same dimensions as the previous one. But it’s bigger?! So it’s rather saggy. Two hours I spent up and down the ladder. Checking it. Readjusting it. Measuring it. Laying it over the old one. Sweating considerably. Before giving up.
It kinda does the job. Besides, there’s no guarantee that it’ll be sunny tomorrow. It really baffled me. Blame the heat. Or maybe just that it’s a blue job…
Oh my days! It’s been a hot one today. Typically the day I was due to spend most of it in an indoor arena. Talk about sweatfest! Might as well sweat off a few pounds as I’m not riding as much at the moment.
It was so inspiring watching the latest batch of campers. So many new faces. Some I’ve watched more of their journey. It’s wonderful seeing people push themselves and enjoy time with their ponies.
This afternoon, I got to try something new too – dressage writing. Blimey, that’s stressful. Especially when I didn’t have that much to lean on. My writing was akin to a doctors. Either that or a spider crawled across the page. I have a deep respect for those who do it on a regular basis. I’m sure it gets easier. At least I can say I tried. I’m much better at shouting than writing. The irony when I write a lot for a living. Think I’ll stick to stewarding or commentating and leave it to those more skilled than me.
I did my best ‘Cilla’ impression this evening. I headed over to Forest Edge to surprise and catch up with the campers. It ‘Big Camp’. And the first one I’ve missed since I started going in 2016.
Tuesday morning I woke up feeling really sad that I wasn’t going to be there with Buddy and catch up with everyone.
I’d asked if I could be helper for a day instead. As I was coming tomorrow to help, I thought I’d have a night in the Buddymobile too! I know how to live huh?!
Tales, Tails and Talus 