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!
This is my home for the next few days. I’m here working at a conference. Not the nicest day to be doing a 260 mile drive. It was aquaplane galore on the motorways. The Comedy Car held its own against the onslaught of rain. I could hardly hear myself think it was so loud at times.
Took me nearly 6 hours to get here as there was a hold up on the M25. Still I’m here now, fed and watered and ready for the off.
Activate Swan-mode!!
We headed over to Wakefield Farm Stud today for a lesson with Piggy March. The first lesson in 2020 when she was the reigning Badminton winner. This time, she is the reigning Burghley winner. Amazing!
She said Buddy looked very well. And that we clearly have a strong partnership. She was very complimentary about him and my riding.
We tackled a mix of SJ and XC jumps. It was like a mini-Arena Eventing course. Lots of skinnies and some technical lines.
Afterwards he got to go on the weight bridge. He’s now 615kg. Again, the lady said he’s very well muscled and in perfect condition.
So happy with my little boy today.
There are times when FB shows me some random adverts, but I am a fan of equestrian ones. These riding tights kept popping up so I thought I’d give them a whirl.
I’m a sucker for good marketing and branding. This seems very appropriate to me. And I’m happy to report that they are very comfortable indeed!
I shall be ordering more me thinks.
Spotted this sign in the pub today. It really made me laugh. Haven’t heard ‘slap and tickle’ for a long time. Funny how phrases come in and out of fashion.
I had a little bit too much fun in the Christmas display today. I may have peaked too early and bought some new baubles. Yes I know it’s November. But they are so pretty! Excited about putting the tree up. Not this month though.
Today has been one of my more random days. I got an early morning SOS from a friend asking to borrow me and the Buddymobile. She needed to urgently move some furniture. It reminded me of the Disney film ‘The Rescuers’. I used to love that film.
I found out today that I would make a good removal person. It’s amazing how much I can get in my little lorry. I also found out that some roundabouts are poorly designed for lorries. Managed to clip a curb and pulled a bit off the lorry. Stuck it back on with some tape – ever practical!
I got my rewards for helping today though. I had lunch bought for me. On the way back, I went to Tesco’s to put some diesel in the lorry. When I arrived at the pump it said it was doing a price update. So I waited fearing the worst. But it went down by 2p per litre.
And when I dropped my lorry off for fixing, it was chucking it down. So I was given a lift back to the yard to pick up my car. Very kind of them. Today may have been random, but it’s been a good one!
This is what happens when you try to take a Halloween picture of your black cat with a pumpkin you grew.
He tried to kill it. Made me laugh. What is it they say about working with children and animals…?!
There are many times when I question my life choices. A 4:30am alarm call on a Sunday morning is definitely one of them! Think Buddy was questioning them too when I turned up at stupid o’clock. He looked a little confused to be honest. Breakfast on the Buddymobile made it more appealing.
We were heading off to the Suffolk Equestrian Centre in Bury St Edmunds for RC Arena Eventing. Another new venue for us. And our first time doing Arena Eventing. But not our first time representing Carleton RC.
I wasn’t sure how today was going to go. We haven’t had the best build up if I’m honest. I’d dropped back to 70cm to give Buddy a really confident run. It proved to be the right decision.
After walking the course, I felt really positive about it. There wasn’t anything that I felt would be an issue. But this is Buddy. So anything was on the cards. And there were lots of questions. Including a water splash.
I had to stop watching the early rounds as there were so many eliminations and issues. So I told Buddy we were there to have fun!
He warmed up like a dream. Then when it was our turn, he wasn’t sure about the white barriers or standing in the rain by the ring. In the ring, everything came together! My little boy flew round! Even when he wasn’t sure, he trusted me and stormed round for a clear round, including the 80cm joker fence.
Flew a little bit too much as we were 8 second under the optimum time. Still good enough to take 5th place individually (out of 49) and to help the team take 4th place (out of 12).
To say I came out with tears in my eyes is an understatement. And the biggest smile you can imagine. Days like today are the reward for the hard work, bruises and disappointments.
When it comes together, it’s worth more than gold.
My recent record at Carrow Road hasn’t been great. In fact my recent record of watching Norwich hasn’t been great. There have been a lot of loses and not much action. Today I broke my jinx and saw them win.
Wasn’t the best match. But I’ll take a 3-1 win. And Brighton beat Chelsea. So today has been a very good football day.
This made me so happy today. It felt so good to be back in the saddle.
Even though it was really balmy again today, the autumnal colours are really coming out now. These ferns have gone the most beautiful russet colour. But everything looks better through Buddy’s ears.
Tales, Tails and Talus 