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!
After having 4 days off, it felt very good to be back behind my favourite ears. It was too nice not get out and stretch his legs after a busy few weeks.
On the way back, we pulled over to let a car pass us. The driver wound down her window and told me how envious she was of me getting to ride such a beautiful horse on a beautiful afternoon.
And beautiful it was.
It’s Buddy’s birthday. He’s a teenager now at the ripe old age of 13! Let’s hope we get more maturity and he doesn’t embrace his inner ‘Kevin’.
I got him a massage for his birthday. Auntie Sam came to see him. I also got him some birthday nibbles. He was very appreciative of the nibbles and his massage. Well apart from his rather tight hamstrings.
Given the amount of work and travelling he’s done recently, I’m hardly surprised. I was expecting more tight spots. I’m pretty sure I have a few more than he does.
Someone is enjoying his well earned time off. It’s been such a gorgeous day. It must have felt good for him to have the sun on his back. I really enjoyed it too as popped to check in on him.
Of course, the downside is that it made me rather hesitant to leave and head back to my office. It was so tranquil at the yard. I love sitting with Buddy and just being in his space. It’s such a special feeling.
As I was on the phone today, I watched this little chap wander across the garden. He stopped a few times snooping around. Very brave of him. Having said that, Dodo was asleep in the conservatory with me. And Hugo was galavanting.
Little things like this make me happy I live in the countryside.
I love a hoodie. And I especially love this hoodie as it has Buddy’s name on it. It had to be done, we may never reach another Champs. Now I have another memento from the experience.
Don’t worry, there will be official photos too. I’m seriously going to need a bigger house soon for all the photos!! I need to order the ones from my photo shoot last week too.
Think we’re both feeling the past week. We’ve achieved so much together. Buddy’s getting some well deserved time off. And I’m back to the laptop.
May has been a fantastic month so far. Still got lots of fun things to go. Oh and my birthday. Did I mention it’s nearly my birthday…?
Back home after a brilliant weekend away with Buddy at the Champs (see my other post for how that went).
This fence made me smile. I said I was going to have fun. And whatever else happened was a bonus. Well we certainly had fun together.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin…
Back home after a fantastic weekend representing Carleton Riding Club at the BRC Combined Championships.
We’d qualified in the 80cm Senior Team. Now you may remember, we had a bit of a mare at the Qualifiers and got there by default. So I was determined that we would hold our own at the Champs.
This was our second Champs. The first one wasn’t our finest hour. So again, I wanted to show we’re making progress at these big events.
So pleased to report we did! The Team came 10th overall. And we put a score on the board. OK so it was still the discard score but we did good.
Buddy was rather apprehensive and so was I wasn’t sure which Buddy I was going to get. When he had a spook on the way down as someone came out of a port-a-loo, I feared the worst. But after a good warm-up he soon settled and was flying the practise jumps.
Soon it was our turn to go. He was so busy shying at a fence, he took an ages to lock on to number 1. It was a tricky SJ course with 3 planks on a half circle and a bounce!! And lots of twist. I rode him forward with determination and trusted him to jump. And jump he did! We flew round in a fast time and a clear round.
Then it was off onto the XC element. He flew the first two, then had a nappy moment towards 3. I wasn’t having any of it!
We were clear till he slipped coming round the corner and lost impulsion. I know I didn’t ride it well so picked up 10 faults the refusal. Cleared it at the second attempt though. Knowing I’d had a stop, I took my foot off the gas. But he still came home with plenty in the tank!
Absolutely thrilled with my little boy today. It was a huge step up for us and he rose to the occasion. And yes, I burst into tears when we were done.
It’s taken blood, sweat and tears (not to mention the bumps and bruises) to get this result today. Not to mention the training and guidance I’ve received from some amazing trainers. Being away at camp definitely seemed to do the trick.
Now I know he can do it, there are no excuses.
Massive thanks to my wingwoman Sam for chauffeuring us, supporting us and listening to me bang on about how proud I was of Buddy. And to my team mates for making it such a fun weekend. Wonderful to feel so supported by a lovely club.
I know I’m not the best rider and Buddy isn’t the best horse, but today I felt like we were more than good enough to be there.
We shall sleep well tonight.
Well we’ve arrived at Aston-Le-Walls ready for the Combined Challenge Championships. Buddy was nice and chilled on the journey and settled into his stable like a pro. It was a novelty being chauffeured to an event.
Took him for a wander round and did a bit of schooling in the arena. He was a little eyes on stalks to start off with. But he had his emotional support pony, Halo by his side.
We then went to walk the course for tomorrow. Nothing that looked too bad. But that’s just me. Buddy may have other ideas.
Finished off by cooking for Sam. Yes you heard me right, I cooked! And no-one died or was injured. Let’s hope it’s the same tomorrow…
So yesterday my body ached. Today it was my brain! I woke up feeling decidedly fuzzy. A friend summed it up perfectly – a camp hangover!
Still got the last of the laundry done and dry. Honestly, going away to camp is like going on holiday with a toddler. So much stuff!
It was a lovely day, so I had lunch in the garden. Hugo had made a nest in the border. Every time I tried to get a photo, he came to see me. Not quite the idea.
On the other hand, Dodo was in full pose mode. He’s so handsome. Though I wasn’t quite so keen on him when he brought a mouse in the house. Thankfully for me, it was dead. Not so good for the mouse I grant you.
Now that I’ve cleared up after camp. It’s time to start packing for Champs. At least I’m not competing till Sunday so we can get there at a leisurely pace tomorrow. Fingers crossed everyone!
I have to admit, I was a tad tired when I woke up this morning. And a tad achy. All signs of a very good camp.
Other signs are a huge pile of laundry. I did four loads of washing today. And still have more to go. The good news is that I got all of the washing dry out on the line.
The kittens were very pleased to see me and wanted cuddles while I was working. Back to the laptop today for me. Buddy got a well deserved day off. Poor planning on my part not to keep today clear. The irony isn’t lost on me as a professional planner.
Buddy got cuddles too. And I got coffee. Lots of coffee.
Tales, Tails and Talus 