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!
It was an exciting post day today. And a bittersweet one. The wristbands and lorry passes arrived for the BRC ‘Team of 3’ Carleton Riding Club have entered at the Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead.
I’m excited for those who are competing there for the first time. I’m excited for those returning. I’m excited that our Riding Club gets to be there again this year. I’m sad that Buddy and I won’t be a part of it. Achieving that dream was so last year. I can’t remember if I mentioned it?!?!
I am the Team Manager for the four teams we have entered. So I have played a tiny part in it. I’m hoping to be there as well to cheer them all on. Hickstead will always be a special place for me. It’s a wonderful place and RI is a wonderful show.
Well I wasn’t sure if we would get here, but we did. We’re all set for our first training camp of 2024. After the Buddymobile pulling a sicky, then Buddy calling in sick, I was fearing the worst.
But we locked and loaded! Eases Buddy in gently with a stroll round the forest.
It’s a tad fresh so hoping I’ve brought enough layers. Time to snuggle up for the night. Bring on the learning!
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.
After my stint commentating at the Area Festival, a friend suggested I take my post and send it to Horse and Hound letters editor. So I did. And they’ve published it!
I’ve always wanted to be in Horse and Hound. So I guess I can tick that equestrian goal. Next time, I hope it’s on a horse rather than writing about horses. But who knows. It’s still an achievement.
It had to be done! I now have a ‘Royal International Horse Show 2023’ notch on my Notch – Passion For Life bracelet.
I was given the bracelet as a present a few years ago. But it’s only this year that I’ve added to it. I was given one for my birthday to celebrate our trips to the Combined Challenge Championship this year and the Five Star Championship last year. Seemed appropriate to add one for Hickstead.
It’s a great concept. You add achievements. And let’s face it, I love an achievement. I’m already plotting and planning our next ones.
I felt this needed its own post. There’s a lot to cover, so brace yourself. It could be a long one. I am so proud of Buddy. It’s the furthest we’ve travelled. Our first stay away competition. And my god it was a big one!
I’ve been to big horse shows before. Hell I grew up near Hickstead and that’s pretty big. But I hadn’t expected it to be as big as it was. Our first NAF Five Star British Riding Club Championships was very special indeed.
We had a long wait as we weren’t jumping till 3:45pm in the first round. But that didn’t mean I had an easy day. I walked backwards and forwards trying to see all the other Carleton RC members in action. I also did a stint stewarding one of the dressage rings. Which turned into two rings as there was a no-show for thier steward. Good job I’m used to multi-tasking and love a clipboard. Two clipboards and I was in heaven!!
Finally it was our time. Watching everyone else do so brilliantly, I really wanted to do well. More than anything, I just didn’t want us to embarrass the club.
Buddy warmed in beautiful. However, the collecting ring was heaving and he got rather tense. As did I. Quick pep-talk and we settled. He had ants in his pants and wanted to get on with it. And when we entered the ring, he did. He stormed round the course, hardly looking at anything. Sadly we had 4 poles. But that’s OK. He did what I asked of him and it was a very buzzy atmosphere. With 5 rings running constantly and an awful lot to look at!
Then it was onto Round 2. Now when I qualified, it was run over the same course. As this was the Champs, it was a different course in a different ring. That ring was running early (whereas my first round was running late), meaning we didn’t have long to wait before it was our turn again.
The downside to walking both courses together was that I’d spent so long visualising how I was going to ride the first course, I’d forgotten how I’d walked the second course. As a result, it didn’t had the flow I wanted. And sadly we were eliminated. The commentator made a comment about a sad end to my day. Not a bit of it!! I was thrilled with the day as I wasn’t totally sure if I’d actually get Buddy in the ring!
I must have been the happiest person after getting eliminated.
Once more, my team mates did amazingly and our team came home with 7th place out of 22. So not only did we compete at our first Championships, we came home with a placing!
Next year, we will be better.… I’ve already said I want to do it again. Thank you for all the messages of support. It means so much.
Buddy is tucked up in bed. And so I am. We will both sleep well tonight.
Tomorrow I turn 52. I’m honestly not sure where the years have gone. One things for sure, I’m nowhere near done!
I’ve packed a lot into each spin around the sun. I’ve tried to live my life to the fullest. To be a kind, caring and loving person. To help others where I can. To make a life that I’m proud of. And be a person to be proud of too!
I’ve had many highs and lows, ups and downs, adventures and disasters. I’ve got many scars. I’ve got more memories. I’ve done things I didn’t think I could.
Tomorrow I will celebrate my birthday. I will raise a glass to celebrate me. And I hope you will raise one to me too.
Tales, Tails and Talus 