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!
So it seems it was decided that I should have a house day today. Had planned to visit some friends but a flat tyre stopped that. There isn’t a spare in The Comedy Car (you’ve seen the size of it?!). With it being a bank holiday, I wasn’t sure where would be open. So that will have to wait till tomorrow.
Torrential rain was another factor. So I spent the day catching up on house stuff. I ended up having quite a productive day. As well as getting some much needed downtime. I sat in the conservatory, cuddling the kittens, catching up on some training and podcasts.
Buckle up people, this could be a long one. Buddy and I headed over to Blackwater for a spot of SJ as it was Carousel’s show. I’d entered the 70cm and 80cm – all good training for the Champs.
It struck me as I was driving there. Buddy has only ever jumped in the grass ring as part of an ODE. So doing two rounds in that ring would be a new thing for him. My aim was to have fun and see how it went. It’s only our second jumping competition of the year.
Buddy warmed up slightly feral. His allergies are back so he was throwing his head around a bit and tanking off round the collecting ring. Still he was flying the practise jump and felt really good.
Not sure how, but I managed to miss the course walk again. I think I was tacking up. It’s definitely one for me to work on. It was another twisty turny course with some interesting lines. But seemed to be riding OK.
Soon it was our turn and we entered – me determined, Buddy anxious. Tried my best to stay calm and keep him the same. Positive Pip was in full force as I coached him the entire way round. Still I got a few more fans who commented on how wonderful it was to hear me chatting away to him in such a positive manner. Even when it didn’t go to plan.
We ended up on 16 faults. But to be honest, I was thrilled to make it round the whole course!!
Bit of a breather till the 80cm. Buddy was in heaven being able to munch on the lush grass.
Eventually we headed back for the next class. This time, I’d had a serious word with myself. And Bartholomew, my chimp who’d come out to play. He was firmly put back in his box. And it seemed that a bit of grass and Buddy was much more willing to listen to me. He warmed up nicely this time.
We popped one last practice jump before we headed into the ring. I didn’t realise someone had put it up to 90cm! So we were both a little surprised when we came round the corner.
In the ring, it was a much calmer and fluid affair. I brought Buddy back to trot when needed as I’d decided to go for a slow and steady round. Imagine my surprise when we finished with a clear round!
There were only two clear rounds in the class. And the other one was by a 5* eventer on a young horse. I’ll take that any day!!
Can’t tell you how chuffed I am. Buddy isn’t the easiest horse to ride. And I’m not the best rider. But today it came together in a wonderful way.
Took Buddy over to Brampton for a hack with Katie and Archie. I’ve taken Buddy over many times before, but not for just a hack. It was fun to ride out somewhere new. Buddy was a little confused as we rode past the arena. And then past the arena at Oxnead. Another place he’s been before for lessons.
We chatted the whole way round. And then had a lovely coffee afterwards. We’re both rather partial to a coffee. In fact it was part of the invite. I’m a cheap date it seems.
Well today has been a rather Good Friday indeed. Started with a great lesson this morning. Buddy worked very hard. As did I. It was lovely to be able to turn him out naked afterwards.
Of course, I soon regretted it when he had a roll. Thankfully he wasn’t too muddy when I put his rug back on.
This afternoon, I finally mowed the lawns. I say lawns, they’re definitely more moss than grass. Still it’s been on the list for a while now. But the weather has put pay to it.
It was a full body workout I can tell you! I did have two robins helping. So cute.
It was touch and go if the lawns would get done today. I made the fatal mistake of sitting down. Hugo came for a cuddle too. Well I guess it is a bank holiday after all.
As I was driving back from Wymondham this evening, I spotted 8 magpies. Not sure the rhyme goes up that far?! I’ve not seen that many together before.
I’d popped over for Express Equine’s Spring sale evening. I wasn’t aiming on buying anything. Still managed to come home with a base layer for me and a saddle pad and supplement for Buddy. Whoops!
It was a rather eventful journey back. They’d closed to road to recover a rather large lorry that had crashed into a field. So I had a 20 mins diversion round the countryside. Saw some new bits of Norfolk. Some very nice bits too.
I’m back home from my trip South and the joy that is the M25. As I drove back, I played tag with a rather swanky horsebox. I say tag. It overtook The Comedy Car twice (work that one out) and I then followed it through the Dartford Tunnel before it turned off.
As a kid, I used to look out for horses on road trips. Now I look out for horse lorries and trailers too. With the lorries, there is a bit of market research in a way. There are some very lovely lorries indeed. At the moment there’s a bit of champagne taste on beer budget. But it’s fun looking. It makes me smile seeing other horse people on the road.
Not sure I’ve ever seen a vicar directing traffic before. But that’s what happened today!
I’m back in West Sussex for a flying visit to see my parents. I needed to go to Kent for a site visit so two birds and all that. Mum had a nasty fall on Friday (nothing broken but a large plant pot) so wanted to make sure she was OK.
Came the back way and the traffic lights were stuck on red. But the Rev was on hand to keep things moving. Well they say the Lord moves in mysterious ways… Talk about Community Spirit.
What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than riding round a deer park, jumping a few XC jumps and having a bloody good gallop! And in the sunshine too!
Headed over to Gunton for a pony play date for Buddy.
We’re so lucky to have access to a country park like this. The deer weren’t bothered by us at all. We hacked round as a warm up, jumped some jumps, splashed in the water and finished on a gallop up the hill.
Buddy found top speed and fully embraced his TB bloodlines. I do love my little boy. If we can crack the rest of it, I have no doubt we’ll make the time after today’s turn of speed.
Some of you may remember that I had an intact tom cat coming in my house. I was contacted by Lost and Found Cats Norwich who helped me trap him and took him to a foster home where he could be assessed.
He was in a bad way sadly. He’d several broken teeth that needed to be removed. He had a high worm burden which is being treated. And he’s now been neutered.
He’s been in foster care for two months now and he’s come a long way. From being hard to get near to purring. But he’s still got a long way to go as he’s still very scared and shutdown.
Today I went to see him. And for the first time, I got to give him a little stroke. They’ve nicknamed him Ninja.
He’s safe, warm and gets fed regularly. He’s a lovely boy. And clearly had a hard paper-round. I felt dreadful trapping him at first. Given his broken teeth, he must have been in so much pain. I know now that I did the right thing.
Tales, Tails and Talus 