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.