Prancy one

This photo came up on my memories today. 10 years ago, Murphy and I were out dancing. We got a 9 for our final halt. The one and only time I’ve got a 9 in a dressage test. For basically standing still!! Kinda sums up my relationship with dressage.

I’d love to say that I’ve improved since then. Buddy is very different to Murphy. Let’s just go with I’ve tried really hard to improve since then. When he’s not spooking at the markers and I’m not riding like a muppet.

I’ve had a lot of time to think about my horsey goals this year. With Buddy being off games for a big chunk of it, it’s given me time to reflect on stuff. I know my biggest issue with dressage is that I don’t feel I’m good enough. So I’ve been looking at why. Not got to the bottom of it. Yet.

As equestrians, we literally pay someone to judge us! In my book, that takes guts and confidence. Maybe it’s time to stop thinking and just start dancing…

Raving

Well I have had a VERY productive day. Ticked soooo many things off my list. I won’t bore you with everything. It involved a lot of housework and gardening.

I charged up my iPod (shows my age right there). It’s got so many bangers on it. I was raving in the garden while I battled with the mower. Bopping while I was planting some veg. And wiggling while hanging out the laundry. So many tunes I haven’t heard for a long time.

Not sure I needed to burn extra calories dancing, but when you hear a tune, you just can’t help moving. Music is so uplifting.

At least tomorrow I won’t have a hangover, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be feeling it. Good job I won’t be doing much walking tomorrow, oh wait I’m off to Burnham Market to watch the eventing.

Dancing in the rain

We headed down to Halesworth this afternoon for a lesson with Jo Winfield. She’s one of my favourite instructors. I love my lessons with her at BHS camp. She’s so insightful, knowledgeable and an amazing coach.

So I jumped at the chance to have a private lesson with her. I may have been slightly regretting my sense of adventure when the sat nav took me down some rather narrow roads. But The Buddymobile got us there safely.

I was slightly regretting my decision as well after leaving the yard in beautiful sunshine, to arrive at the venue in rain. Reminded me of that quote about learning to dance in the rain. Well Buddy definitely had his dancing shoes on today!!

Jo was incredibly complementary about our progress. She said she could see that we’ve been working hard on our flat work since she last saw us. And thought Buddy looked very fit and well.

Helps that I’ve finally found a snaffle bit that Buddy seems to like. Long may that continue.

Didn’t care that I got soaked. I came away beaming.

Keep moving

When you’re dancing around the garden and you accidentally take a photo. 🤦🏻‍♀️

After a dressage lesson last night, a show jumping lesson this morning and a few hours in the garden, it’s a bit of a surprise I’ve got the energy to dance around. Music really does get me moving though. It’s been ages since I had a good dance.

Takes me back to my clubbing days…