Thwarted

Today was the first ODE at Blackwater. I didn’t enter and I’m OK with that decision. My preparation hasn’t been right and I don’t like winging it when it comes to eventing.

I’ve felt rather thwarted recently. I understand it. The first quarter of 2024 has been challenging. First the back and forward to my parents, then getting floored by the flu, my saddle being reflocked, working long hours and finally the Buddymobile being off the road.

I’m not making excuses, I’m reflecting. Today I noticed I’d picked my BRC Combined Challenge hoodie. Last year I represented my Riding Club on many occasions. And even with similar challenges, we still achieved an awful lot.

So while the first quarter we haven’t done much, there are still three more quarters to go. I’m happy for people who are out there having fun with their horses. It makes me so happy to see people overcoming hurdles and achieving things.

It’s been us so many times. And I will be us again. But for now, I’ll just have to be content to cheer from the sidelines.

The Buddymobile will be fixed- hopefully quickly and cheaply (I’m running out of body parts to sell). Bring on Q2…

Complaint

Pretty stunning huh?! A beautiful calm sunny day you say? Not for my jumping lesson. I had high winds, rain and hail.

You know the type of weather where you have to laugh as you’re question your life choices. Where you’re coming into a jump eyes closed in the rain praying one of you can see it.

Thankfully Buddy was on great form. He locked onto every jump. Lewis brought a couple of his jumps over for us to have a play with. Buddy ate them up.

He had us working on straightness and curving lines. It wasn’t long ago that Buddy would have had a meltdown at such technical tracks. Now he’s taking me into the jumps. It’s a wonderful feeling.

Typically the wind dropped and the sun came out after we finished. I did put in a complaint that I got the more challenging weather. I guess it was typical eventing weather. Time to break out the body protector and get back to it.

Super pleased with my little boy today.

Star

Buddy had a pony play date today. With a rather large pony. Becca and Star came to visit. Star is a lot bigger than Buddy, kinda makes him look like a pony. We were out for nearly 2 hours working our way round the roads and tracks. We hardly saw a soul. Sheer bliss.

We were meant to go over to see them, but the Buddymobile is in the sickbay. Again. So they came to us. I love being able to share our hacking with people.

Buddy clearly guessed we were going out for a long one as he tried to take snacks with him. He was a bit miffed I wouldn’t let him take a huge mouthful of hay out. Star was a bit surprised by our hills. Yes we have hills in Norfolk.

It was so funny cause Star clearly knew his way round. He strode off so confidently, you’d think he’d been there before. Buddy on the other hand acted like he’d never been down the routes we took. Talk about role reversal.

All in all two perfectly behaved ponies. The riders had a laugh too.

First cut

After a few aborted attempts, today I finally cut the back lawn. I say lawn, there’s a lot of moss too. It’s needed doing, but trying to find a time when it wasn’t raining has proven tricky. The nicest days I’ve either had plans, been working or quite frankly couldn’t be arsed.

But today I woke up with a weird determination. Good job too as it took bloody ages to do! It was still a bit damp, so not only did I have to keep emptying the mower, I had to clear the mower too as the grass kept getting clogged up around the blade.

Not totally sure it looks better. But it’s a start. Scarifier next. The kittens approve. Though I think they were enjoying hiding and playing in the long grass.

I even spent time doing the edges and made a start on clearing the borders. Of course, I’m now covered in bramble scratches and stinging nettle stings. Still I’m pleased with my efforts.

Next time, I’ll turn my attentions to the front garden.

Spring Equinox

We made it people! Today is the Spring Equinox. I must admit I wasn’t thrilled when I woke up to yet more rain. But it soon passed and turned into an OK day.

After working so many hours, it was a catch up day. Catching up on laundry, housework, admin, friends and most importantly, my Buddy Boy.

He certainly had a spring in his step today. And that puts a smile on my face.

Super sub

Today was my last shift covering at the Chiro’s. It’s been great fun peopling over the past few weeks. I’ve caught up with so many people. Met so many new ones too.

This cartoon made me giggle. Don’t get me wrong, technology is amazing. I spend a lot of time using it. But I still prefer a good old fashioned chat. And I’ve done a lot of chatting. Hard to believe I know, I’m such a reserved sort…

Camellia

This is such a welcome sign to me. Spring is on the way when my camellia starts to pop. Always makes me smile. It’s smothered in buds, so hoping for a good show.

It’s funny how we use flowers as indicators of the seasons. The minute the snowdrops arrive, I know we’ve broken the back of winter.

Not that I’m wishing my life away of course. There was lots of holiday talk at the Chiro’s today. I joked that others are jetting off to exotic climes and I get to look at the National Geographic magazines.

My turn will come again I’m sure. I’ve been very fortunate to have travelled a lot in my life. I can feel the Wanderlust stirring.

At least I know I’ve got a few horsey holidays in the diary. They’re like a relaxing holiday, only with more sweating. And I’m not just talking about Buddy.

Luck of the Irish

I thank my lucky stars every day that I found Buddy. I couldn’t love my Irish Boy more if I tried.

While we were hacking today, I reflected back on when I bought him. And how he came to be mine. I found him when I was emotionally battered from losing Murphy and having to admit defeat with Phoenix. I was also a bit physically broken as I was recovering from a broken finger (a lasting legacy from Phoenix). I was mentally drained as I didn’t know if I had it in me to conquer my confidence demons.

Buddy was exactly the horse I needed. He’s not the easiest horse but I’ve risen to his challenge. He’s kept me safe many a time. Of course, he’s completely forgotten that we’re meant to start together and finish together too. I’ve had my fair share of flying lessons from him. But when it clicks, we are definitely flying without wings.

We’ve achieved so much together and I know we have many more achievements to come. He’s very much my glass of the black stuff.

So Happy St Patrick’s Day Buddy Boy. After doing my DNA, I know I don’t have any Irish blood. But I have the luck of the Irish in him.

Swing low

Dodo has decided that this is his new favourite place to sleep. Technically it’s a magazine holder, but he loves it in there.

Hugo used to sleep in there when he was a tiny kitten. They’re both a bit bigger now though. He kinda fits still.

He crawled in while I was listening to a podcast in the conservatory. It’s becoming a lovely Saturday afternoon habit now. A nice way to relax after a busy day running errands and at the yard. I even managed to pop Buddy over a few jumps – in the sun!!

My meditation wasn’t quite as successful as the kittens decided to have a play fight during it. Bit hard to relax when you’ve got squeaking and wailing going on. Can’t win them all…

Possessed

This has been making me giggle today. Well last week, it was weirding me out if I’m honest. For some reason, it’s started randomly bubbling. So much so that I joked it was possessed.

I get it bubbles when someone uses it, but when it starts bubbling when no-one’s been near it, it’s a bit odd.

This week, the volume of the bubbling had gone up and up. It’s been making us laugh as it’s not only loud, it goes on for a long time. Definitely overplaying it’s part. It’s been a talking point for sure.