Wilting

Headed over to Mousehold Farm for a jumping clinic this evening.

We haven’t been out jumping since Hickstead, so we were a little ring rusty. Buddy was full of it too. Still we jumped everything. And once I realised that I was getting ahead of the movement and changed my position, we left them all up. Funny how your horse can jump better when you stay out of his way.

For an English Rose who wilts in the heat, I was questioning if jumping tonight was a good idea. But it was cooler than I thought it would be. We were still a tad warm afterwards. There was lots to like and another new venue for us.

Achievements

I finally got round to framing some more photos. These represent three of my biggest achievements with Buddy. I’m very proud of them. And what we’ve achieved together.

Funnily it was FB telling me that it was a year since I posted the pictures from our first BRC Champs that spurred me into action.

I bought the frames a while back too. Today was the day to get them sorted. Just need to get them on the wall now. Let’s hope that doesn’t take me another year…

Human

I stood for 10 hours today as I was covering reception for my chiro. Cause my legs weren’t aching enough after walking miles round Burghley. Let’s just say there was lots of stretching going on behind the desk.

Being human seemed to be the theme of the day. That and technical gremlins. There seemed to be lots of equipment misbehaving today.

Saw this quote and it really resonated. Lots of the clients and I discussed how looks can be very deceiving. Life is full of ups and downs. Riding the rollercoaster makes us human.

I do love peopling.

Boobs

I had to go and have a routine mammogram today. Wasn’t quite what I expected. A mobile unit in the local camping and caravan shop car park. Still it worked. And thankfully it had air conditioning.

Not the most pleasurable experience. But it was OK. And good to get my boobs checked.

I had a bit of a medical day as I went to give blood first. That was donation number 62. Let’s hope I don’t get to 62 mammograms, my poor boobs would be well and truly squished.

Bye bye Burghley

That’s Burghley done for another year. Another fantastic experience and more memories made. Lovely company. Lovely weather. And lots of lovely horses. What more could you want.

My legs are aching and my feet are very sore. I think I’ve probably done a full week’s worth of steps this weekend and some.

Given the number of people who attend each year, I’m always amazed at how many people I bump into. So lovely to see so many familiar faces.

The only blip on a wonderful weekend, was losing my notch bracelet. Still no sign of it, but hopefully it’ll turn up.

I’ve come home inspired. Bye bye Burghley. Till next year…

Hobbits

I love this tree. Every time I visit Burghley on XC day, I try and find it. It’s very healthy and happy. But the middle is like a little hobbit house.

It was lovely and cool in there too as the temperature certainly climbed today. So did we! You forget how undulating the course is. Having walked round it twice now, my legs are feeling it. There will be some very tired horse legs too. The course was definitely taking no prisoners today.

Burghley is such a wonderful event. The house looks resplendent in the afternoon sunshine.

Having walked the course, we retired to the shade to watch the final horses on the big screen. Jeff was very happy about this. He was so tired towards the end, he needed Auntie Pip to carry him. Well he’s only got very little legs. I think we’ll all be feeling it tomorrow. The trot up is going to be very interesting indeed.

Course walk

Great first day at Burghley Horse Trials saw my first course walk with the legend that is Lucinda Green. Gosh she is so knowledgeable. It was fascinating hearing her views on the course. It’s a testing track indeed. Lots of choices for the riders. Very excited to see how it rides tomorrow.

As I’m part of her XC Academy, I got a gift today. Such a lovely touch.

I completely underestimated how long the course walk would be. 3.5 hours we were out on the course. So I’ve clocked up a few steps already. We saw lots of the riders walking the course too.

Back tomorrow for the main event. Fingers crossed for lots of thrills and not too many spills.

Saunter

Met up with Katie and Archie for a saunter round Blickling this morning.

It felt cooler when I got up, so I opted for long sleeves. I was regretting this choice by the time I got to the yard as it was warmer than I thought. Let’s just say I was a tad warm…

They say horses sweat and women glow, well I was definitely a horse today. Pity I didn’t get to spend the afternoon in a field eating. I let Buddy have that one while I cleaned out the lorry and tidied his bedroom.

Scaredy cat

Dodo wasn’t impressed with the thunder today. He climbed up onto my laptop stand and wasn’t moving.

Made it a little hard to work. At least he wasn’t after my mouse. He did that overnight as I woke up to a ‘present’. Thankful I didn’t step on the remnants.

Hugo, on the other hand, was tearing round the garden in the thunderstorm.

Poonami

This is something equestrians will relate to I’m sure. The danger to poo picking with a very inquisitive horse.

Buddy was either trying to help or he wanted to keep me in his field longer. Maybe it’s pony payback for going away.

It’s a good job I love him and can laugh at his antics. He was not subtle when he knocked it over. He was very pleased with himself.