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 bound to happen. Today I missed my camp buddies, learning stuff and someone else cooking for me.
Luckily I have lots of camp memories coming up on my FB at the moment. This one still makes me smile. It’s from 2 years ago when I jumped this wall.
Sometimes it’s good to remind yourself of your highlights. My camp showreel is pretty good. Maybe I need to do a BHS Camp memory video… 🤔
Well that’s another BHS Camp over. This one was our 4th together and I have to say, our best to date. I couldn’t fault Buddy over the past few days. He was quite the pro!
It feels like a lot of things have clicked this week. Every lesson we learnt something new. Every lesson we improved. Every lesson we rocked it.
We came 4th in the dressage! I have to admit, that really surprised me as I was first to go and thought I wasn’t our best.
On to the jumping and unfortunately had the last down. My fault. I held when I should have pushed. But I did get told I got a 10 for my position and actually sitting on my bum! Something I’ve really been working on.
The biggest shock though was to get a Special Award from the instructors. They all felt our improvement needed to be recognised.
Yes, I cried. It means so much to get that validation. Especially from such incredible instructors.
I’m still on a high! I’m also shattered! We will both sleep well tonight.
Second day of lessons and it’s getting better and better.
Flat this morning and poles this afternoon. The theme of today was very much about being less busy with my aids.
Some really interesting techniques to try and while it blew my brain to start off with, it had incredible results. The word transformational was used!! And we got some fantastic feedback about the progress we’ve made in the past two years.
I brought the chair massage pad with me. Boy was that good! And much needed after 4 intense lessons.
Day 2 of camp. Or Day 1 of lessons. It’s been brilliant. Course jumping this morning and XC this afternoon.
Buddy was definitely up for it! Lots of comments on how well he’s looking and how fit he is. Bit too fit as we flew around XC a tad fast at times.
Still we started together and finished together.
He also got weighed today. He’s now 651kg. The lady from Spillers wanted to take him home with her. 😊
It’s hungry stuff this camp lark. Buddy is loving the clover up the hill.
What a wonderful way to start our latest camp. A hack round the forest with Maria and Sky followed by lunch and puppy cuddles.
Camp officially started this afternoon. I’m stuffed after the welcome BBQ. First lessons tomorrow. Excited to be back.
After our best day at camp, this wasn’t quite the way I planned to finish it. Sadly my little lorry broke down on the way back. Thankfully was able to limp to a garage and didn’t breakdown in the contraflow on the A47.
A wonderful friend came to rescue Buddy. My main concern was that he was OK. Bless him he was such a good boy walking off my lorry and onto hers in the middle of the busy forecourt.
I can’t fault NFU Mutual. They were brilliant. Kept me informed every step of the way and checked that we were both OK.
The BP staff were the same. Even giving me a free hot drink while I waited for the recovery lorry.
The same can’t be said a few of the next door McDonalds customers who made their feelings known about choice of parking spot. It wasn’t like I had much choice?!
Buddy and I are both home safely and that’s what matters. The lorry can be fixed. And we had a brilliant time away.
Day 2 of our training camp and happy to report with had a much better day, with no dramas. 😊 Well my little lorry has sprung a leak so woke up with a wet pillow. The rain was so loud last night. Least we didn’t have the thunderstorm that was forecast.
2 great lessons today and a ton of learnings. Thankfully it was cooler too. Even had to break out a hoodie!! Bizarre after being so hot yesterday.
Buddy and I still burned a few calories. He deserved some grazing time. And I definitely earned my veggie lasagne and garlic bread. 👏🏻
Pretty sure that’s meant to be on your foot Buddy?!
Day 1 of training camp has been interesting. One of us was hot to trot and one of us was just plain hot! I’ll let you decide which one was which. 😂
Thankfully Buddy lost his shoe at the end of our second lesson. Emergency farrier later, we’re back to 4 shoes ready for tomorrow’s lessons. He does like to keep me on my toes.
It’s been baking here today. Hoping for a cooler day tomorrow. She says as she can hear rain on the lorry roof….☔️
Arrived safe and sound in preparation for our 3 day training camp. Took much longer than expected due to roadworks and my rather foolish plan to try and circumnavigate them. Would have been quicker to have stayed in the queue. 🤦🏻♀️
Still we’re all settled in for the night. Buddy seems to love B&B. Not sure if that’s just cause he gets haylage?!
Looking forward to learning lots in our 6 lessons. Bring it on…
Back home after a brilliant training camp with T&N Equestrian at Blackwater. It was bloody brilliant!!
Even the weather couldn’t stop me smiling. Buddy was a superstar all weekend. Yesterday we both got soaked in our two lessons (poles and SJ course riding).
Today the sun shone on us for XC. Buddy was definitely up for it. Especially when I remembered to keep my leg on. 🤦🏻♀️ So I’ve now got a new mantra ‘look up, leg on’.
Sadly the rain returned for the last lesson (grids) but only at the end. And got a little wet packing up.
All in all I couldn’t fault Buddy. He definitely deserved a huge Gold Star!
We shall both sleep well tonight.
Tales, Tails and Talus 