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!
I headed back to the Showground today. This time without Buddy. Typically it was much cooler today. I was soon regretting my decision to wear shorts. After being a hot mess yesterday, I was verging on chilly.
Of course, it could have been that I was there for 7:30am to plait my first horse of the day. In fact I’d plaited both my charges before lunch.
Both judges were very complimentary about the turnout. Always lovely to hear when you do your best to make sure the horses look as good as they can. First horse came first, second came second. Very happy riders too!
That meant the afternoon was free to watch some of the jumping. Well I say that, I didn’t see that much. I kept bumping into people I knew. All in all, a very lovely day.
My own hair is usually a bit of a mess, but I can definitely plait a horse.
Buddy and I headed over to the Showground for a spot of showjumping today. I left the yard and it didn’t feel too hot. I was wrong. It was baking by the time we arrived.
Tacked Buddy up and headed to walk the 70cm course. Thankfully someone was able to hold him for me. It walked well so headed to the warm up. It was a bit of a different set up. There was a very small warm up next to the ring. They were only letting 4 horses at a time in there, so we used the bigger warm up away from the ring.
Buddy managed to trip a few times on the uneven ground so I kept the jumping to a minimum. Soon it was our turn the go to the proper warm up and Buddy was feeling good.
Slight blip when a woman decided to walk her inhand pony and two children through the warm up. Madness! Buddy was not happy about that either. It was such a small area and people jumping – it was downright dangerous.
The warm up ring can be like going into battle at the best of times.
I brushed it off and entered the ring. It was single phase and we went double clear in a really fast time. Took a few ‘eventer’ lines and Buddy was on it! He ate up the ground.
He was so sweaty by the time we’d finished, I thought I’d take him back to the lorry and wash him off while I waited for the next class. I’m so lucky that Buddy is so easy when we go out.
Wandering back to the ring, I arrived as the last rider was finishing. Imagine my surprise when they announced we’d come second! So happy.
Walked the 80cm and went back to tack Buddy up again. I nearly blinded myself as I had so much sweat running in my eyes. My god, sweat stings! I was a dribbly mess by the time I was done. I couldn’t get my gloves on as my hands were so wet. Classy huh?!
By the time we got back to the warm up, Buddy was feeling as hot and bothered as I was. Neither of us was at our best in the 80cm round. I messed up some of the line and it was a very twisty course. Final result was 16 faults.
I was disappointed as I know we could do so much better. But we started together, finished together and sweated even more together!
I had a visitor today while I was working. This little butterfly flew in and landed on the carpet next to me. After I took the photo, it flew up and landed on my trousers. So I walked out into the garden so it could fly off. And managed to keep Dodo (aka butterfly killer) away.
As a kid, we used to call them flutterbys. I guess it’s an apt name for them. As they literally flutter by. Can’t say I get the connection to butter. Anyone know?!
I was recently recommended to try coconut water as it’s good for natural hydration. I’ve been trying to remember to take my electrolytes but it’s a bit hit and miss.
What’s also a bit hit and miss is my ability to tolerate coconut. I’m good with a Bounty, but not dried coconut, milk or cream. So I was a bit apprehensive about trying it.
Thought I’d be brave. Again, it was a bit hit and miss. I wasn’t affected by it. I just didn’t like the taste. It doesn’t taste like coconut. In fact, I’m not sure what it tasted like.
The only way I could drink it was to water it down significantly. Guess it’s one way to hydrate!
I went over to pick up the collection pots from the East Anglian Air Ambulance today.
Having witnessed the vital work they do firsthand on Sunday, I’m even more determined to raise as much money as we can for them. I have to admit, I was a little overwhelmed by the bucket at first. That’s a lot of pennies! Assuming people still carry cash?!
These will be used at the Area Dressage over the weekend. And at our club show. Fingers crossed for a good turn out at both.
I went over to pick up the collection pots from the East Anglian Air Ambulance today.
Having witnessed the vital work they do firsthand on Sunday, I’m even more determined to raise as much money as we can for them. I have to admit, I was a little overwhelmed by the bucket at first. That’s a lot of pennies! Assuming people still carry cash?!
These will be used at the Area Dressage over the weekend. And at our club show. Fingers crossed for a good turn out at both.
Took Buddy over to Blickling this morning to meet up with Katie and Archie. It’s been a while since we met there. It’s amazing how the crops have grown up. They’re almost ready to harvest.
Of course they also make good hiding places. We saw a deer jumping across this field. It makes me smile watching them bounce through the crop. Thankfully away from us…
Today Buddy and I headed off to Geldeston for the BRC SJ Qualifiers.
After making the Champs last year by turning up (when the rest of the team were amazing), I was determined to do better this year. We’ve been working so hard on our jumping and are definitely seeing improvements.
On arrival, I heard the ground was hard, slippery and causing some issues. Walked the course and it felt firm but there was still a bit of spring in it. It seemed a really nice course. This team competition is run over two rounds. The first round was 80cm. The second one at 85cm and had 4 more jumps. I was feeling confident as we warmed up.
My confidence was well founded. Buddy stormed round the course for a super clear. I brought him back to trot for the bit that seemed the most slippy. Came out with a huge smile.
Then the day took a sad turn when one of my team mates had a nasty fall. The competitions were suspended while we waited for first an ambulance, then the air ambulance.
With Buddy safely back at the Buddymobile and munching away, I went back to check on her. I sat with her for over an hours stroking her hair and doing my best to keep her calm. She was in a lot of pain.
Thankfully when the air ambulance arrived, they gave her serious sedation so she could be transported. We did feel that it was a bit ironic when as a riding club we are raising money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. This is why!
After she was safely on her way to the N&N, the competition recommenced. I wanted to do the second round. I felt I had to. So warmed Buddy up again. There had been a number of withdrawals so didn’t have too much time to think about it before it was our turn.
It wasn’t the best round we’ve ever done. Halfway round, the previous 1.5 hours hit me. Buddy had switched off a bit in the break too and I know I didn’t ride very well. I burst into tears as I left the Arena.
Christ knows how but, we ended up with 6th place individually.
We all know the risk we take when we ride a horse. The love, enjoyment and partnership built outweighs that risk. But days like today remind me how it can go. So I’m focusing on the wonderful clear round we had, the camaraderie shown and the amazing support from our emergency services.
Dodo has made himself a lovely nest in the daisies. He was so camouflaged it took me a while to spot him. I was going to try and cut back the geraniums and daisies but decide it was probably best to leave them for now.
That and he was sulking after I gave him a wormer. I haven’t dared tell him that he’s getting the flea treatment tomorrow.
Tales, Tails and Talus 