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!
Another successful stint of commentating today. This time back at the Area 14 & 8 RC ODE at Poplar Park. The weather was perfect as was the going. The same can’t be said for my pronunciation of all of the horse and riders. I did my best as always.
Helen and I have a fab partnership now. Even thought we only do this together once a year, it’s like no time has passed. She even created her own version of the horse tracker to make sure things ran as smoothly as possible. It worked. Not a clue how many combinations we got round today. I know for sure that there were no fallers on XC today.
It was as inspiring as ever seeing so many happy faces come through the finish line – horses and riders. Till next year…
Well that’s a wrap! 3 long days of commentating at the Petplan Area Festival at Forest Edge. Not a clue how many combinations I introduced over the 3 days. There were some very challenging names to get my tongue around. Only had to apologise a few times for the appalling pronunciation. If you ever have to write a bio for a show and you have a complex name (or your horse does), do a girl a favour and give some notes. It really helps!
There were some beautifully, heartfelt bios to read out too. It was so clear the amount of love and joy these horses bring.
Once more I was amazed at the feats these creatures can perform. The trust they have in their riders. And it was wonderful to see so many riders and horses smiling over the days. It was clear that so many of the partnerships on display loved dancing together.
Dressage training has been very much under the spotlight recently. And there are some abhorrent practises out there. Over the past 3 days, I’ve seen the result that effective, sympathetic and consistent training can deliver. Without fail, every rider patted their horse at the end of the test. Regardless of how the test had gone.
I came away feeling very enlightened. I now understand so much more behind the judge’s comments on my dressage sheets. I also came away rather inspired. So I’ve set myself a goal. To do a Novice dressage test in 2024. I might come last, but for me it’s definitely about the journey, pushing my comfort zone and making memories with Buddy Boy.
Well if he’s still speaking to me after not seeing him for a whole week!! Might need to wait a little bit before I tell him we’re in dressage training. He probably thinks he’s retired…
Back for Day 2 for the Petplan Area Festival at Forest Edge. A very long day today. A mere 11 hours of announcing combinations today.
One of the wonderful things about spending the day at Forest Edge, is the catering. It’s definitely plus point when I head there for camps. I never go hungry. It’s the only time I have a full English every day. Well one does tend to burn a few calories! I wasn’t burning that many calories today, but couldn’t resist a sausage bap to start the day.
I’m a simple creature really. I love anyone who feeds me.
This was my office today at Forest Edge Arena. I was commentating at the Petplan Area Festival. But Pip, I hear you cry, what do you know about dressage?! Fear not, I just had to announce the combinations as they entered the arena. Not actually comment on the performance. Good job too as today was Medium to Intermediate 1.
Not that my job wasn’t without its perils. Given I’ve been a tad poorly this week. It was touch and go if I’d make it. And if I did, if my voice would hold out. Thankfully it was all good.
The classes today needed 3 judges, so I shared the commentary box with one of them. I’ve been told in the past that it’s really interesting to write for a dressage judge as you learn a lot. I’ve always been worried that I’d mess it up. But today I got to watch the action and to hear the judge’s comments. It was fascinating. And I definitely learnt a lot.
Not that I will ever get to that level. I have the utmost respect for the riders and horses today. Not a clue how they remembered where they were going. Or performed the movements.
Got two more days of competitors to call. I may be hoarse by Sunday evening.
Back home after a very long day commentating at the Riding Club ODE at Poplar Park. It’s the fourth time I’ve been asked to commentate and run XC Control, so must be doing something right.
It’s great fun. Stressful at times. Today Helen Elizabeth Barnes and I saw most things. From a jump broken by the second rider on course, to a loose horse jumping the course in reverse and ending up back in the start box. Sadly we also had to hold the competition while we waited for the Air Ambulance to land and take off again. Thankfully the rider was released from hospital earlier.
This year, they’d introduce a 70cm class. This was a great addition so hope they keep it.
There weren’t as many combinations as in previous years. I wonder if the heat put a lot of people off. There was a lovely cooling breeze and the course was riding really well.
It’s very inspiring watching the competitors come through the finish line with big smiles on their faces.
I am now all talked out (a miracle I hear you cry). And ready for my bed. The past week has been very long days and lots of driving. I’m sure I’ll sleep well tonight.
This was my office today. Back home after a flipping marvellous day. I was commentating the XC for the Area 14 & 8 Riding Club ODE at Poplar Park.
The XC Control dream team was in full force. Not a clue how many combinations there were, but the first horse went off at 10:20am and the last one came back at 5:40pm.
We had to deal with pretty much everything you could deal with on a XC course. Falls, eliminations, loose horses, the removal of a fence mid-class, missed fences, jumping the wrong course to name a few. But we had it covered from start to finish.
We’ve been asked back next year. And I managed to pronounce almost all of the horses names! Bonus!!
Well that was a VERY long day! But an utterly brilliant one. A full day of commentating and XC control at the RC ODE at Poplar Park. First horse went off at 10:20am. The last came back at 6:20pm!
Thankfully I was able to pronounce most of the horse and rider’s names this time. Even got a few thumbs up from riders so must have gotten pretty near. Manage to keep everyone updated with progress throughout their day.
Got a lot of comments on how professional it sounded too. So if anyone knows of anymore opportunities…
As the saying goes ‘I counted them out and I counted them all back’. And there were no falls!!
Tales, Tails and Talus 