Today saw the return of tape at camp. This time in a different position. When we were in Scone, Bert accidentally wrenched my shoulder when I tripped over him. Kelly treated it on Thursday when she came out to me. Apparently I’ve done something to my deltoid. Whatever that is?! Anatomy isn’t my strong point.

As she was a camp doing treatments, I asked her if she could give it a bit of extra support before my jumping lesson this afternoon. It had been a bit twingy in my flat lesson, so better to be safe.

My body had definitely responded to her treatments (and elbows). It was the first time she’d seen me ride since my rider assessment. She definitely felt there was improvement.

Speaking of improvements, there were lots in both of our lessons today. Buddy is getting better and better. I just love my little boy.

The Baby Sprocker has had a wonderful day too charging round the forest and car park. My boys really do make me smile. In fact, being at camp does too.

It was might have been a rough night weather-wise, but Toby kept me snug and dry. Even if he was rocking a bit in the wind. I’m snuggled up in the Luton. Yes I know it’s 9pm. Camp is tiring you know…

So it seems that kindness is becoming a bit of a theme for me. Today I took one of the liveries’ pony’s over to do a spot of dressage. She’d been let down with her transport, so I stepped in.

She was very appreciative. As was her sharer who was actually competing. And said sharer’s parents. It was a bit of a family affair.

She did two lovely tests. I got a bacon roll and a coffee. And I also got a bit of help with an upgrade I’d planned to Toby. The sharer’s Dad put this tool rack up for me in minutes.

I love a practical upgrade. Very happy now I can keep my tools tidy.

Then this afternoon, Buddy, Bert and I headed to camp. We brought a very special guest – Sam. He’s 32 and still going strong. His owner, Jan is 72! Talk about inspirational. She wasn’t sure if she could get him to another camp. I feel very honoured I could do that for her. She repaid me with dinner in her motorhome.

It’s true what they say that kindness breeds kindness.

Today’s hack took a rather interesting turn when we got caught out in a thunderstorm. I don’t mean one of those little rumble ones. I mean a biblical one with thunder, lightening, sideways rain and hail!

Oh yes, there wasn’t much of us that was left dry I can tell you. At one point, there were thunder claps and lightening going off on 3 different sides! Mental! It bubbled up so quickly and hit very hard.

Buddy and Frankie were absolute rockstars. Apart from the very first thunder clap right overhead, they didn’t react at all.

There was a lot of ‘good boys’ every time there was another crash. It was a lot. But we made it safely home. Just as another wave came through. Thankfully I got Buddy safely in his stable to wait it out. Then a rainbow appeared.

My plan had been to put my tack on the lorry ready to go to camp tomorrow. I quickly had to change that to ‘bring it all home to dry and clean’.

It used to be a bit of a running joke that it was t camp without a thunderstorm. One the day before still counts I guess…

Bert got to pay it forward today. He met 13 week old Barney for a puppy play date. Oh my day, he’s a total cutie. Reminds me how tiny Bert was when he had his first outings.

Barney belongs to my friend, so while we caught up over coffee, the boys played. That meant that there was a bit of coffee spilt. Bert decided to get himself tangled round the picnic table.

Barney and Bert had a lovely time together. Barney has his first bit of pupcake. He was a fan! Bert is definitely a fan of them. He wolfed his down.

It’s going to be fun watching them grow up together…

This sums up my day. Now you might be wondering why? Well it seems that I spent a large proportion of the day walking around with my t-shirt on inside out!

You’d think by now I would be able to dress myself. Clearly not. It was only when I was telling my farrier that my day wasn’t quite going to plan, did he point out my mistake. See, sums it up.

Thankfully I didn’t have any video calls in my diary. That could have been interesting. Nothing bad happened today. Things just didn’t run as smoothly as I’d have liked. I have days like that. Most days are pretty good. And I can dress myself properly…

I made several mistakes today. The first one was turning on one of my clients’ laptop. I was greeted with ‘the blue screen of death’. Thankfully they have IT support on standby, so I only lost an hour or so getting back in.

Technology is amazing. When it works. When it doesn’t, it’s rather frustrating. Still I got there in the end.

That put me a bit behind, so felt like I was chasing my tail. I forgot to put fly spray on Buddy before our ride so he wasn’t happy. Then I thought I would pop to the shop on the way home. I needed a few bits. And had kinda skipped lunch. When will I learn to never go food shopping when I’m hungry?!

I ended up buying more than I’d planned and more than I needed. Thank goodness for the chest freezer. I also bought something for my dinner that seemed to take an age to actually cook. Imagine a rather hangry Pip having a stern word with said food.

Still it was very tasty when it was cooked. I now have a full fridge, a full freezer and a full tummy. I also got some snacks and drinks ready for camp next week. Let’s see if I can remember to actually take them this camp…

Just finished watching the coverage of Burghley. Yes I’m rather behind. Utterly thrilled for Ros and Walter. What a partnership! To win either Badminton or Burghley is a huge big deal. But to win them both. Twice. Is epic!

This photo came up on my memories from my first trip to Burghley back in 2012. Cottesmore Leap is utterly vast. Watching the horses pop through it like it was a 90cm is awe inspiring to say the least.

Once again, you could see how much the horses love running and jumping. The trust they have in their rider and themselves is there to see. Same with the riders. They trust these horses. But that takes a long time to build. These combinations are at the peak of their game. It’s been years and years getting there.

I’m sure I will always love eventing. Whether watching it or competing. I’ve been very lucky to go and see a lot of top Eventing this year. It’s so inspiring. Now I have a winter of training to see if Buddy and I can get back out there. Bring on the big jumps…

Bert and I headed to Burghley Horse Trails today. It’s XC day! Burghley is always a favourite. I’ve been going for a long time now. I first went in 2012. It’s been a feature in my diary most years since then.

I was very lucky to have a free day out too. A friend of mine had been given tickets for her Christmas present, but her husband didn’t want to go. So I did! I drove as a thank you.

It was her first time. She was rather impressed that I could find it without the need of a sat nav. And how easily I found my way around. She was also very impressed with my 5 star pup!He’s becoming quite the eventing pro now. That was his second 5 star and he’s not a year yet! He’s also been to two 4 stars as well.

He’s really got the hang of this eventing lark. He still dragged me round the course. Which given the undulation was quite welcome at times. He met lots more people who have him lots of fuss. He also wanted to run with the horses. Hence the control halter. I refuse to be one of ‘those people’.

We didn’t walk the whole course. My friend wasn’t up to that. She’s got a few health issues. But we still managed over 7 miles. I’m sure we will all sleep well tonight. Well I will. She and Bert slept most of the way home.

First time for him. First time for my friend. And first time I’ve come home with no shopping… Who knew that was possible?!

One of the liveries was heading off to BD Camp over at Forest Edge this weekend. Her lorry wouldn’t start. The mechanic couldn’t get it going. I’ve been there and know how frustrating and disappointing that can be.

So I got to do a kind thing. I offered to take her horse over in my lorry. Then drove back in her car (I had flashbacks to the Comedy Car). She was very grateful. My lorry is having a holiday over there without me. I’ll go back and pick them up on Sunday.

It does mean that she will have slept more nights in it that I have so far. I will make up for it though…

One of the liveries at the yard suggested we go for a coffee today. Seemed a rather sensible way to wait out the rain showers. So we headed to the village pub that’s just reopened…

Wasn’t expecting this wallpaper. Let’s just say it’s a bold choice! As we were both a bit pungent from the yard, we thought we’d spare the other patrons and sit out of the way. That mean sitting in front of the wallpapered wall.

What we hadn’t factored on was that several people wanted to check out the wallpaper. So suddenly our lunch turned into something akin to a Tate Modern Art installation.

It’s really rather off putting when you’re trying to eat with people standing in front of you looking over your head.

Being good Brits, there was a lot of explaining and apologising from them. And quite a bit of giggle from us.

Can’t work out if I really like the wallpaper or I find it a bit creepy. I mean, I like goats…