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 took Buddy out for a leg stretch after his show jumping yesterday. He’s rather partial to a bit of wheat. So shortly after I took this photo, he grabbed a mouthful. Made me giggle.
My eye on the other hand is not. It’s a rather technicolour affair now. It’s not painful, but rather uncomfortable nonetheless. I look like I’m wearing purple eyeshadow. But on one eye only. Not sure it’ll catch on.
Well today has been one of more firsts. Buddy and I made our debut representing Carleton Riding Club. We were in two teams no less! And first time jumping at Geldeston.
First up was Style Show Jumping. I’m going to be honest here, I’d never heard of Style SJ before. Rarely has the word ‘style’ been used in a complimentary way about my jumping. Well apart from being told I’m an elegant faller… So I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.
To come away with 6th place was a huge surprise. Especially as it was a challenge getting round the course. Buddy wasn’t feeling jumping this morning. Still we jumped all the jumps (not necessarily first time) and we put a score on the board for the team. Thankfully the other members were much more stylish so the team ended up in 3rd place.
Then onto SJ and the 80cm team. I took a jumping whip with me this time and made sure that Buddy was moving off my leg in the warm up. He was a bit shocked when I gave him a little tap. But was soon flying the practise jumps.
A couple of feral moments in the ring with two run outs and a pole down. Disappointed with it but I know I overrode it. Still we started together and finished together, even when I lost a stirrup and had to jump the double without it.
Another regroup before going back into the second round. A bigger and longer track this time. Oh my goodness, Buddy was so much more confidence. I let it flow and we were clear to the last two. Sadly we had them both down. But I was thrilled to finish on a much better note.
So imagine my surprise when I heard our team won! Again, grateful that the other team members were much better riders and all had double clears. We were definitely making up the numbers today (as both our rounds were the discard score). But that’s OK. We did it!
Sadly I’m now sporting a black eye where I head butted a metal corner in the lorry. That’s definitely not a first for me.…
Popped over to catch up with a friend today. As it was dry, we took her dogs out for a walk. The clouds were so pretty today. They made me smile. I know I’ve said it before, but I love Norfolk skies.
Then I took Buddy out for a hack. We stopped to watch a Marsh Harrier sweeping across the wheat. It was quite magical as we were the only people in sight…
When you do a favour for a friend and she buys you a present to say thank you. It’s absolutely perfect! And very true. Buddy and I really are. I love it.
I had to drive to Barnet today. On my way back, I stopped at Birchanger services and this made me smile. I loved how neatly they’d parked the bikes. Reminded me of watching ‘Chips’ as a kid. That was a fun TV show.
I bet it’s dated now. It’s funny how we remember things from our childhood. Good, bad and indifferent. Can you tell I listened to some training on healing your Inner Child?! 😝
Auntie Sam came to see Buddy today. It’s the first time she’s been to see him since she’s been on some new training. She now does Myofascial Release too. Well Buddy sure released!!
It was fascinating watching him process everything and then releasing. He had a lot of tight spots. Weirdly exactly where I thought they’d be. So shows how in tune we’re getting.
I know how good I feel after a treatment. Hoping Buddy feels the same.
Buddy and I got trapped today. I was planning on taking him out for a hack. But as I was tacking up, the heavens opened and it threw it down!!
And not just rain, hail stones, thunder and lightening. A proper Summer storm. It was so heavy, I didn’t want to leave his stable. In fact I could barely see the other side of the stable yard. Eventually it eased enough for us to make a break to the indoor arena.
As you can tell Buddy was thrilled by it all.
This was my office today. Back home after a flipping marvellous day. I was commentating the XC for the Area 14 & 8 Riding Club ODE at Poplar Park.
The XC Control dream team was in full force. Not a clue how many combinations there were, but the first horse went off at 10:20am and the last one came back at 5:40pm.
We had to deal with pretty much everything you could deal with on a XC course. Falls, eliminations, loose horses, the removal of a fence mid-class, missed fences, jumping the wrong course to name a few. But we had it covered from start to finish.
We’ve been asked back next year. And I managed to pronounce almost all of the horses names! Bonus!!
Today saw the return of the Awesome Foursome. My hacking partner has been on holiday and Buddy’s been out of action, so it’s been a while since we hacked out. But this was very good for the soul. Lots to catch up on as we wandered about.
We even faced the ’waterer of doom’ on the way back. It makes quite a noise as it clicks round. The boys were incredibly well behaved.
Oh and it’s good to know that my
Hi-Viz is super bright! You ain’t missing us!!
Every year when this passionflower explodes, it reminds me of my Nana. Why? Because it’s called ‘Constance Elliott’. My Nana was Constance. And spookily my other Grandmother was called Constance too. Would have made naming a daughter easy I guess.
Growing up, my Nana was the person who truly saw me for me. She encouraged me to be myself. She told me that I could achieve anything I put my mind to. She taught me to bake. We spent many an hour chatting (and watching the wrestling). Even though she was barely 5 foot tall, she was a massive influence on me.
I’d love the chance to sit and chat with her again. I hope she’d be proud of how I turned out. I am.
Tales, Tails and Talus 