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!
Tonight saw the return of BatBuddy. He’s thrilled as you can see. After a long hack, the bath / plait epic started. Boy am I out of practise. So they’re not my best efforts. Buddy got rather bored too. Even with food. Still it’s done now. Fingers crossed they stay in overnight.
I managed to lose 2 hours somewhere along the way. Usual faffing around or ‘yard time’. Checking and double checking that everything is on the lorry. It’s been a long time since we did an ODE so feeling slightly underprepared. We’re going to have fun. And we’ll see what tomorrow brings…
What a fabulous day it’s been. Took Buddy over to Easton for a spot of show jumping. After doing so well at the last show, I stepped him up to 70cm and 80cm. Boy did he deliver!!
We only went and won the 70cm!!! It was a lovely flowing course so I knew we could cover the ground in the timed section. I let him run to the last and he came back when I asked to fly it.
It was a huge class too so had a long wait to get the result. I kept thinking that someone would get a faster time. But not today! It’s not often we bag a red one. So savouring it.
Then onto the 80cm. Still on a high, I didn’t care what happened. But Buddy was up for it. Punched a skinny out early in the course so decided to go for a fast 4 faults.
Once more, my little boy flew round. And we came away with 6th place and the second fastest 4 faults.
I’m still beaming!!
We’ve been training so hard and it’s a wonderful feeling when it all comes together. Back to Eventing soon me thinks. For now, I’m celebrating cause we did good!!
First competition of 2022 done! A spot of show jumping at Easton College. The last time I was here, I had a rather interesting time. And a flying lesson from Buddy.
To say I was a little apprehensive would be an understatement. But I honestly couldn’t fault Buddy today. He warmed up beautifully for the 60cm class. He felt switched on and ready to go. I haven’t felt so calm before a competition for a long time. Few sticky moments in the ring, but he listened and responded when I asked. Thrilled with a clear round and 3rd place.
Then onto the 70cm. Again, he felt up for it and flew round the course in a much better rhythm. Just the last down but still bagged 6th place as it was a decent time. Totally my fault as I knew I’d got the turn wrong so it was an awful line. But he tried his best for me.
To come back with two placings was beyond my dreams. I was aiming for understated and to enjoy myself. I’m trusting him more. I’m trusting me more. And more than anything I’m trusting our training.
Not our best day. But far from our worst. 35.25 for dressage. Which is our best score at an ODE.
Buddy was super relaxed and so was I. Got 7 x 7’s and nothing less than a 6. So really happy with that!
SJ I wasn’t sure how he was going to be but he was up for it. Flew round clear! There were 2 doubles so absolutely thrilled.
Then on to XC. He was like Tigger on acid in the warm up. Jogging everywhere and not listening. Took him to the start box and he turned into Eeyore. 🤦🏻♀️
Run out at no 2 and a few interesting lines. Then another stop on the smallest fence on the course. Still we completed. We came home with a cricket score but I don’t care.
It’s been a long time since we did an ODE. I’m chuffed with us today.
Well it’s been a while since I did this! October 2019 to be precise. First SJ competition since then. And it did it show. We were definitely rusty.
Still lots of positives to take away from today. First SJ competition at Anvil Park Stud. First competition since breaking my ankle. First competition this year. First 85cm competitively for Buddy.
It wasn’t pretty (in fact it was a bit of a car crash) but I don’t care. We did it!!
Was running a bit late having been held up getting petrol. Seemed everyone else had the same idea. Luckily Anvil were running late too so had time to get everything sorted and walk the course.
I’d entered the 75cm as our warm up round. Good job too. Buddy flew the practice jumps and feel like he had wings.
Took him into the ring and Mr Nappy Pants tried to make an appearance. I’m wise to him now so he got short shrift and off we went. It was going OK till we got to the double. We haven’t done one in a while and Buddy ducked out at the second part. Turned a circle and jumped it second time. Only to be eliminated so not jumping part A as well. 🤦🏻♀️
Shook it off and came out fighting in the 85cm. It wasn’t pretty and we ended up with 16 fault, including another runout at part B (guess who’s going to be working on doubles again!).
I must have sounded slightly deranged as I was talking to him the whole way round. I don’t care. It felt so good to be out and about again. I’ve missed competing so much. Huge smile at the end and so proud of Buddy.
It will get better! We may never reach the heady heights of some, but my little boy ticked a lot of boxes today. He’s such a pleasure to take out. He really is My Absolute Diamond.
Tales, Tails and Talus 