Highlands

This is my favourite jump on the Scone Palace International Horse Trials course. I spotted it on Wednesday, but today I got closer as we walked the course. How cool and adorable is it?! Not sure it’ll fit in the caravan though.

Flynn did his dressage test this morning. Think I was holding my breath for most of it. They scored 33 and are in 7th place overnight. Amazing!

I must admit I was a bit giggy with it all. And then I met Ian Stark!! What a lovely man he is?! 71 and still competing. He’s in the 2*L. Murphy Himself was a legend of a horse. I’ve always had a soft spot for a grey. Then I got a grey called Murphy.

I also got to watch London 52 do his dressage test in the 4*S. I’ve watched some great tests in the past two days.

Tomorrow is the start of the XC and for Flynn too. My step count is high, my heart rate will be as well. Bert is settling into eventing life. I still can’t quite believe I’m here…

5 star

Back home after a fab day out at Burghley Horse Trails. A mere 10 miles walked round the course today. And what a course. It was very testing. But then you come to expect that. It’s not a 5* for nothing.

There seemed to be a few bogey fences out there. It was quite an achievement getting round. Saw some amazing riding. Some incredible partnerships.

I’ve been to two 5*s this year. Badminton and Burghley. They’re so different. I love them both. Glad I managed to get to both. Even if it was just for cross country day.

Clocked up some more miles on the Comedy Car and my step count is high. My feet and legs are aching. I’m tired, but a good tired. It’s so worth it for the memories made.

Badminton

Well Badminton 2024 didn’t disappoint. It was a challenging XC course that really shook the pack. Not sure I could have called the top 3 before they started. SJ tomorrow will be exciting!

I’m so glad I made the trip. I often wonder if other people do the slightly bonkers things that I do. I only decided to go on Tuesday.

After yesterday’s mammoth journey, the thought of another one wasn’t as appealing as you’d think. Especially after the Comedy Car started making a weird noise. My lovely Dad lent me his car today. I felt very spoilt in such luxury – AC and a very smooth ride.

The M25 had another sting in the tail. It was closed! I kid you not. Two junctions worth in both direction. Cue several detours there and back. Still made it in good time this morning. And good time back to my parents. Staying here again tonight before heading home. Fingers crossed the M25 is kind going home.

I walked nearly 8 miles today. Not a clue how many miles I’ll have done by the time I get home. Let’s just go with a lot…

Ground support

Popped over to Blackwater today to be ground crew for the Carleton RC clinic being held there. It’s been a while since I’ve been over there. In fact, this could be the first time I’ve been back there this year. It hasn’t been a conscious thing. Just for one reason and another I haven’t got there.

It was lovely to be back there. Walked the 80cm course. Interesting to see the changes there. Lovely catching up with people and watching them ride. As soon as we can, I’m going to take Buddy back out XC. It’s time to get back to running and jumping. I miss eventing…

Memories

This photo came up on my memories today. It’s one of my favourite pictures of us. We were having a play at Blackwater two years ago. I love the way it captures the determination from both of us.

Spookily I was back there today. But without Buddy. I headed back to the PC Champs to pick up my bag. It was Eventing today. Yesterday was Dressage and Show Jumping.

I stopped to watch some of the XC. It was lovely seeing so many smiling faces coming through the finish line.

Astroturf

I’ve seen a lot of XC courses with astroturf jumps on them. So I pimped one of my jumps today. Doesn’t it look great?

I put it in the arena along with a mix of SJ and XC style jumps and popped Buddy round them.

He did jumped the astroturf jump but I could tell he wasn’t reading it right. We had a couple of stops at it. And a glorious stag leap. So I made a few adjustments and put some poles across it to help him.

Think I might need some white battons on it. Still really pleased with my DIY jumps. Anyone else look at objects and think what kind of jump they’d make..?!

Michelin star

Another fab day at camp. This morning it was a play on the XC field. Many moons ago, Buddy and I had an issue with tyre jumps. So I’ve done the classic ‘let’s not do them’.

Today I faced that particular demon and not only that, we jumped the big tyres for good measure. Buddy was loving it! And I had the biggest smile.

Oh and the best bit?! I’ve got another cracking photo for the collection. I can feel a camp montage coming on.

On the mic

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.

Poppies

Spotted these beautiful poppies across from the lorry this morning. What a glorious sight to bring start the day.

Two brilliant lessons today. First up a play on the XC course. Buddy was full of beans but jumped everything I asked of him. Really pleased with him.

After lunch, it was course jumping. Again, Buddy was up for it. He felt so balanced. We even got complemented on the quality of our canter. Something that rarely happens.

Buddy can be a bit of a mixed bag. When it’s good, my goodness it’s good. Today was very, very good.

Back at Badders

It’s been wonderful being back at Badders today. The house looked at spectacular as I remembered it.

Up early to get there in plenty of time, the sat sav said we were due to arrive at 8:45am. We actually got into the car park at 10:45am having sat in traffic for 2 hours to go the final 5 miles.

I was gutted to miss the Lucinda Green XC Academy meet up. I’d been looking forward to meeting people I’ve been speaking to for over 2 years. But it wasn’t meant to be today.

The ground was heavy and very muddy. It was definitely a work out walking the course. I walked 7.1 miles over the undulating ground. The XC course was proving to be a very testing track indeed. The scoreboard made interesting reading at the end.

Now on the way home. Feeling tired, aching but very, very inspired!

Next year I’m determined to be there for the duration. Bring it on…