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!
Honestly, I literally got up to get a drink and Hugo stole my seat. Little monkey! Not sure if he was actually asleep. Or was just pretending. He looked so cute and comfortable.
I felt like joining him. We got back late from London last night. Well technically this morning. I was feeling a tad sleepy myself.
For once, I had the forethought to plan a quiet day. So I got to watch the coverage from yesterday afternoon’s World Cup jumping. Blimey that was a jump-off and a half.
It still feels weird not calling it Olympia. Having a lovely day out at the London International Horse Show.
In position waiting for the jumping to start. My god, the jumps are HUGE!!
Well that’s it, we did our last clinic of 2023. And it was a really good one! I wasn’t sure if we were going to make it when I woke up feeling pretty rotten.
Dosed myself up, downed a few medicinal lucozades and headed off feeling more human. Thankfully Buddy was feeling rather fine.
We haven’t been to Anvil for a while and the pigs were back by the Arena. Buddy does make me laugh. He’s scared of a pigeon, but give him a field of large loud pigs and he’s like ‘got it Mother’. He even ended up being an emotional support pony for the 5 year old mare who we were sharing the lesson with. She wasn’t happy about the pigs. But Buddy soon reassured her.
It’s been a while since we had a lesson with Simon too. We finished the session popping over some meaty metre jumps. A fabulous way to end our 2023 training. We’ve come such a long way. I’m excited about what 2024 will bring.
This evening I met up with 3 former work colleagues for dinner. Even though we haven’t worked together for nearly 4 years, we still have so much to discuss.
I now have a full belly and a full soul.
Tori James was one of the speakers at the Hoseasons Conference I worked on last month. Her story was so real. She’s an ordinary person who achieved something extraordinary. And she was such a lovely person. She gave me a copy of her book when she’d finished.
Today I woke up feeling a bit flat and rather snotty. So I thought I’d read it. It was a quick read. But a very inspiring one. Her journey to being the first Welsh woman to climb Everest is pretty special.
I love her sign off. ‘With passion, planning and self-belief you can achieve more than you ever thought possible. Remember your next adventure could be just around the corner.’
It got me thinking. As the year draws to an end, I can reflect back on the many adventures I’ve had this year. I’ve ticked many things off my bucket list. I’ve achieved things I never thought I could. Think it’s time to start making my 2024 adventure list…
These beautiful blooms were delivered today. From the friend I met for coffee yesterday. She wanted to bring some more joy to my life as she knew I was having a tough time. Made me cry when they arrived.
I feel very blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. Who check in on me. Who put an arm round me. Who left me cry on them. Who give me a hug. Who make me smile. Who make me laugh. Who make me feel seen. Who love me.
I met up with one of my wise women for coffee and a chat. I say chat, I did most of the chatting. There’s been a lot going on. Again. I feel like every time we meet up, I emotionally vomit on her. Thankfully she’s happy to listen.
On our way out, we passed this Christmas display. How cool is it?! No pun intended.
I think it might be time to risk the annual hernia and bring the tree in from the garage…
Well this is the downside to a long day out yesterday. A rather large poo pile for me to clear up today.
Buddy excelled himself by pooing up the wall too! That took some cleaning I can tell you.
My saddle, bridles and saddle pad were still wet from yesterday. So more cleaning to be done there. Again, the horse does all the work? Right?!
We headed over to Easton College today for our last competition of 2023. It was a festive affair, so I thought I’d go the whole hog and break out my ‘dressage elf’ t-shirt.
Yes, you read that right. Buddy and I donned our dancing shoes and ventured between the boards. Not content with that, we tried something new. Our (and my) first long arena test. My god, 60m is a long way down the centreline! I thought it was never going to end.
Overall I’m so happy with Buddy today. He’s only ever been at the venue to jump, so was a tad confused when he went in and there weren’t any jumps. Being Buddy, he made his own of a fashion.
One of us (still unclear who) knocked one of the mini Christmas trees over. They were being used to mark the entrance at A. And of course, it fell into the Arena. Well Buddy wasn’t best pleased when we came towards it. Just as I was asking for canter. He jumped said Christmas tree, but by the time we’d got it back together we’d blown a lot of marks.
Still really chuffed with 69.13% and 5th place.
Then it was a VERY long wait till the fun stuff. Arena Eventing. I’m so grateful to have a horse who will quite happily stand on the lorry for over 4 hours munching away.
By the time, it was time to tack up, the heavens had opened. Again. Soaked by the time we’d warmed up. And yes, I see the irony of that statement.
I’d entered the 70cm and 80cm. But decided that if the 70cm went OK, we’d call it a day and go home. And the 70cm went more than OK. He flew round taking 3rd place as the fastest 4 faulter. Couple of sticky moments and one refusal (totally my fault as I over-rode it).
All in all a fantastic way to end our 2023 season. It’s been a pretty good one. And a lovely way to end my first year on the Carleton Riding Club Committee.
There are many times that I question my life choices. This morning the girls were questioning mine as I donned my wet weather gear and headed out the door. Soon they were very happy to be out for a walk. Me? Not so much, as the wind whipped rain into my face. It wasn’t long before I couldn’t feel my hands either!
I spent the whole walk laughing at the stupidity or hilarity of it all. Guess that’s the difference between cats and dogs. I can guarantee that the kittens would have not left the house!
As I wasn’t wet enough, I headed to the yard where the drenching continued. Rode Buddy in the indoor arena. Typically as we finished the sun came out. Not for long though as by the time I left to go and feed the cats, the rain was back and the wind had picked up.
As suspected, the kittens were both sleep…
Tales, Tails and Talus 