Day camper

Buddy, Bert and I locked and loaded early doors today to head over to Forest Edge for two lessons. There’s a camp running there, so we went as day campers.

When we arrived, Buddy headed to his stable (no. 3 for the third time this year) and Bert headed to the forest for a runabout.

As the weightbridge was there, I thought I’d pop Buddy on it. He walked straight on and stood patiently. He was so eager, the poor lady wasn’t ready. He was also rather eager for his treat. He knows the deal. He stands to be weighted and he gets rewarded. He also got a rosette for having a perfect body score. He’s now 643kg.

In our jumping lesson, we ended up being demo riders for the other campers to watch and learn. We flew round the course that was laid out. There were lots of new campers so they hadn’t seen us in action before. Several came over afterwards to compliment me on my jumping position, our partnership and how at one we were. That has not always been the case I can assure you.

I do feel that we’re getting better and better. Now we need to recreate it in competitions. Maybe we can start getting some perfect round rosettes too. Who doesn’t love a red one?!

Chores

Today has been a day of chores. Well I guess that’s what you do on a Bank Holiday weekend. I’ve still got a ton to do, but I’ve ticked off loads.

As the weather was good, I got the washing pile down considerably. I know I say it after every camp, but my god there’s a lot of washing afterwards. And cleaning too. My tack is filthy. The Buddymobile is filthy. They can wait for another day.

When I finally sat down to take stock, Bert clearly felt he needed some attention too. Either that or he decided that I needed to stop for the day. I’m not complaining, he’s a good cuddler.

Terminator

We’re back home after another epic training camp. Epic in so many ways. Bert’s first camp and to be honest, he totally aced it! He waited patiently while I went for my lessons. He made himself comfortable in the Buddymobile. He slept through every night. He had zoomies in the forest and played nicely with the other dogs.

Every time I left him, I told him ‘I’ll be back’. I’m no Arnie, but it did make me giggle. Just call me Terminator.

Buddy aced camp too. Six lessons, massive lightbulbs and huge leaps forward in our training. He feels stronger, straighter and much more rideable since his injury.

The only ‘downside’ was the heat! Talk about from the sublime to the ridiculous. Last year, I didn’t take enough layers. It chucked it down and was freezing. This year, it was like someone had left the oven on…

Very draining for us all. We coped with a heady mix of fluids and electrolytes. I am very tired now. We shall all sleep well tonight.

40 winks

Someone is very tired after another full on day at camp. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that both of my kids are very tired. I am too. The sudden heat is rather sapping. Still we’ve all had another good day.

In our flat work lesson this morning, I felt so much straighter in my body after yesterday’s treatment and taping. It’s really puts you in the right position that’s for sure. I noticed a change in Buddy too. He had to work differently to adjust for my new posture. I could really feel the difference. He was much straighter too.

The battery seemed to drain though and he felt like he was getting a little stiff. After last year and his injury, I was a bit concerned. He worked really hard yesterday and I foolishly forgot to give him his electrolytes. That wouldn’t help.

I walked him off in the forest and he felt good. So he got a lunch with lots of electrolytes in it to see if that would help.

He popped on the weight bridge after our lesson. I had 630kg in my head. He was 631kg! And a perfect body score. The nutritionist said he had really good muscle tone too. We got a rosette for being perfect! What a lovely touch.

After taking Bert in the forest for a run. And some lunch for me. It was time for our second lesson – jumping related distances. We built on the quality of canter lesson we had yesterday. I’d mentally prepared myself to stop if Buddy wasn’t feeling it. Well he was well up for it! My new position massively helped as did my softer hands (another learning from yesterday). So happy with him!

I know Buddy is a seasoned pro at camps. Bert has taken to it like a duck to water.

Last day tomorrow. Always bittersweet.

Two kids

Well I’ve made it to our first training camp of 2025. Hurrah! This is the first time I’ve been away with two kids, Buddy and Bert. My god, they need a lot!

The Buddymobile felt a bit cramped with it all. I also needed three lists! And I still forgot the poo bags and toilet roll. It’s much better now Buddy is tucked up in his stable and Bert is tucked up in his crate in the horse area.

I’m tucked up in the living. As much as I love the Buddymobile, it’s definitely time for a bigger lorry! Bert’s arrival means I need more living. Well that’s my excuse! I want a toilet and a fridge too.

So far both kids are behaving very well. Coming to Forest Edge is such a happy place for me. I know Buddy loves it here. And it seems Bert might too after zoomies in the forest. Buddy, on the other hand, had a leisurely walk before the lessons start tomorrow. Bring on the learning…

Planning ahead

Today I did something that makes me smile every year. I paid for my first camp. It’s at the end April, so fingers crossed it warms up a bit.

If you’ve known me for any length of time, you know how much I love a camp. What’s not to love? Spending time away with Buddy. Learning from great instructors. Catching up with wonderful people. Making new friends. And this time I get to take Bert with me. Let’s hope he likes camps as much as Buddy and I do.

He’s making his debut at Forest Edge next week. We’re booked onto a day clinic. So this will be a good test of his ‘Lorry Dog’ status. Buddy will be so happy to be back there too. After his injury last year, it’ll be good to be back there and actually do the riding bit. I’ll always be a supporter.

Animal planet

When your puppy gets invited round to meet your friend’s dog and it turns into an episode of Animal Planet!

Now Frankie has a bit of a reputation as a humper. He frequently goes to town on my leg. Tonight, he was having a whale of a time humping Bert’s head and my arm at the same time.

Bert gave as good as he got and was trying to hump Frankie in return. There was lots of playing going on too. Safe to say that Frankie and Bert are going to be firm friends.

Camps could be interesting if the humping continues. There’s a joke in there about lorries rocking….

A little cold

Well it seems that I have brought an extra gift back from camp. I am with snot. Last night, I felt the start of a cold coming on. You know the kind where your head starts pounding and you feel like you’ve been punched repeatedly in the sinuses.

This morning, I felt decidedly crappy. So admitted defeat, stayed in bed and got more sleep. The kittens approved the duvet on the sofa look. They are both snoring. I fear I will be tonight too. I’ve been told I have a cute snore. Tonight I think I might be more warthog than woodland creature.

On the fence

The now traditional camp clean up was the order of the day. 5 loads of washing done. Managed to get some almost dry on the line. Even managed to rescue it all before the rain hit. Winner!!

The kittens are very happy to have me home. Dodo spent most of the morning on my lap. And Hugo wasn’t too far away either. He made me laugh when I went to get the washing in. He was definitely ‘on the fence’ about whether to come in or not. How on earth can it be comfortable sitting on something so thin?!

I brought the Buddymobile home last night to decamp. So that got a good clean too. It’s amazing how messy it gets being away. Sad that it was the last camp of the year. They really are my happy place.

He’s back

Final day of camp and we saved the best till last. Buddy and I jumped our first course since his injury. And boy did he jump!

Buddy didn’t seem to have gotten the memo that we were meant to be jumping little jumps. He was mister chill till he realised we were jumping. Then he was like an bloody Exocet missile!!

He was tanking round the jumps. Taking me (well rather dragging me) towards them. He’s back that’s for sure!!

I burst into tears after our first round. I know his injury was minor. I know the vet told me that he’d be fine. But I honestly didn’t know if he was going to be happy jumping again.

Judging by how much fun he was having, I’d say I can put any doubts to one side. Now I need to work on both of our fitness and getting the discipline back. He was a bit of a maniac today! So I can foresee a Winter of training ahead. Today he had his fun. We both did. Even with the tears, we both massive smiles on our faces.