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’ve had a very horsey day. But not with Buddy. And not riding. It felt rather strange being at Forest Edge without Buddy. He’ll be there for training camps and competitions soon though.
It was lovely to catch up with so many camp friends though.
Today I was driver / groom instead. I still enjoyed myself and learnt lots from watching the lessons. You really do get a different perspective.
This clinic was organised by The British Horse Society. An organisation I’m a member and keen advocate of.
I’m also a member and committee member of Carleton Riding Club. Tonight was our monthly committee meeting. So more horse chat.
I love being part of horse collectives. I’ve met so many people through horses.
After all of the travelling yesterday, I wanted to give Buddy a good leg stretch. I read somewhere that travelling a horse an hour is equivalent to them walking a mile.
I make sure that Buddy has plenty of road trip snacks. I imagine it’s what it must be like going anywhere with a toddler. He definitely gets hangry sometimes. I’m less good at remembering my own road trip snacks. But I’m making progress there.
For a long time, he barely ate when travelling. Now he barely stops. He can be quite forceful with his haynet. He has been known to undo it and accidentally throw it across the lorry. He’s so funny cause he just stands there starring at it.
He felt very good today. Striding out with the wind in his mane. But then it could be that he was eager to get back to his hay. He’s a typical Irish Sports Horse aka Labrador of the horse world.
Today saw our return to Carleton Riding Club team competitions. This time Combined Challenge (a few SJ, followed by a few XC jumps) at Horseheath.
It was also our first jumping competition of 2023. I’d love to say that my contribution to the team was vast. Sadly it wasn’t our day. I know why, so that a good thing. Once again, my team mates were awesome. So we’ve qualified for another championships by just turning up.
I got today a bit wrong. I got my timings wrong so missed the course walk. Learnt the course by eye. But that meant I wasn’t clear on the lines or how the course actually rode.
Watched too many go meaning my warm up was shorter than I’d usually do. Still Buddy gave me a great feeling over the practise jumps. It’s the first time we’ve jumped SJ on grass for a long time. The footing was a tad slippery after all the rain we’ve had.
We entered the start box and headed off toeards the first jump. Buddy flew it. So I was thinking it could be a good day. Then he slipped round the corner to number 2 and I got my line totally wrong to number 3. Still he cleared both. But by the time we got to number 4, the combination of my very dodgy line and an evil filler were too much for Buddy. First stop. Kicking myself more than him, we got over it at the second attempt.
Regrouped over number 5. Then another evil filler at number 6, two stops there and it was all over for us. Gutted, I patted Buddy and walked out of the arena.
There were lots of positives though. I didn’t get lost finding the venue. My new sticky competition riding tights were super comfy and did the trick. Buddy dealt with a very slippery and busy warm up. I knew the course. And the jumps we did do felt good.
It’s another new venue for us. And another new format. I now have two months to get the practise before the Champs. I’ve booked onto a XC clinic next Sunday and am forming a plan of how to find as many evil fillers as possible to jump.
So in May, it’ll be back to Aston Le Walls we go! At least I’ve been there before.
I had to post a letter on my way to the yard, so stopped at the postbox behind my house. I spotted this box next to it and it made me giggle. It’s been scratched and looks like a little sad face.
It’s funny how we see faces in objects. It’s called ‘pareidolia’. Cool huh?!
I seem to have an issue with running out of toilet roll. I can’t exactly tell you why, but it’s the one thing I run out of most. Of course I’ve been using a lot more since I’ve been running my business from home. But even so.
So today I was feeling rather smug for actually buying some before I ran out. The smugness soon faded when I realised that I’d left the bloody packet at the self-service till.
Thankfully I realised when I’d finished filling up with petrol and not when I got home. Quick spin round the car park and I retrieved said toilet rolls from Customer Services. I got a few strange looks I can tell you.
After rushing around so much recently, it was a bit weird to have a day in my office. But much needed. I wasn’t feeling terribly motivated to start off with. So broke my to-do list down so that I could tick off lots of little tasks first.
It worked as I seemed to crack through things. And had a very productive day.
Today has been a bit of a surreal day. I drove to Essex, took some photos and drove home. I love the bonkersness of my life, I really do.
I was very tempted to stop at Colchester Zoo on my way home. I do love a zoo. But I’ll save that pleasure for another day.
I used the driving time well, catching up on some phone calls and podcasts. I dread to think how many miles I’ve drive in the past week or so. Let’s just go with a lot. Good job I love driving too.
What a difference a day makes! After the howling gales yesterday, today was much calmer.
Buddy and I headed over to Blickling to meet up with Katie and Archie. She treated me to lunch afterwards. I’ve been making a real effort with my fuelling lately. I took a Huel shake with me yesterday for after my lesson. And again today. But let’s face it, a cheese and tomato toastie and a hot chocolate is much better than a shake!
So it seems that in order to get the best from Buddy, I have to ride in howling winds.
We had an early lesson with Simon Grieve this morning. When I left the yard, it wasn’t too bad but by the time I arrived at the venue, it was howling. Nearly got taken out opening the gate. Parked up the lorry and it was rocking. Then got blown off the mounting block. I know there’s not much of me, but seriously?!
Still I’d made it there so we gave it a go. Started with poles and worked on adjusting the canter. Simon put out two poles and gave me the number of strides to get between then. It’s hard for Buddy as he can get a bit strung out, so a great exercise for us. One I need to repeat at home.
A few of the jumps had blown over, so Simon secured one with some sandbags. Pretty sure that’s a first for me. But it worked. And we got to have a play over the jump.
Buddy was awesome! He was so chilled considering it was really strong gusts! He was focused. The drive back wasn’t too bad either. So seems it was definitely worse at the coast.
Day 162: club together. Back home after a fab weekend away at the BRC Arena Eventing Champs. Lots of driving, but the Buddymobile did me proud. And now has a new memento onboard.
First time that someone else has slept in the lorry with me. It was a little cramped but we made it work. The heater was needed to keep us warm during the night. Poor Sam had a hard night as the air mattress deflated.
Oh and I have a very cute snore. Whoops!
Buddy and the kittens were pleased to see me. And I will be pleased to see my bed tonight.
I love being part of a riding club. It’s so much fun doing stuff as a team. I also love being able to help a friend and support others. It makes me very happy indeed.
Tales, Tails and Talus 