Day camper

Buddy, Bert and I locked and loaded early doors today to head over to Forest Edge for two lessons. There’s a camp running there, so we went as day campers.

When we arrived, Buddy headed to his stable (no. 3 for the third time this year) and Bert headed to the forest for a runabout.

As the weightbridge was there, I thought I’d pop Buddy on it. He walked straight on and stood patiently. He was so eager, the poor lady wasn’t ready. He was also rather eager for his treat. He knows the deal. He stands to be weighted and he gets rewarded. He also got a rosette for having a perfect body score. He’s now 643kg.

In our jumping lesson, we ended up being demo riders for the other campers to watch and learn. We flew round the course that was laid out. There were lots of new campers so they hadn’t seen us in action before. Several came over afterwards to compliment me on my jumping position, our partnership and how at one we were. That has not always been the case I can assure you.

I do feel that we’re getting better and better. Now we need to recreate it in competitions. Maybe we can start getting some perfect round rosettes too. Who doesn’t love a red one?!

Horses inside out

What a fab demo at Easton College this evening from Gillian Higgins of Horses Inside Out. She paints the anatomy on the horses so you can really see the movements. Learnt a lot. And came away with some more pole exercises to do with Buddy.

Reminded me of many years ago when I went to another demo with her. And got to paint Murphy. It was so insightful seeing how he moved.

Lovely seeing so many people too. I do love a horsey outing. In fact it’s been a bit of a horsey day. This afternoon, I was an Emotional Support Person for a friend who was taking her horse to the vets. While we waited, we went for a walk through the bluebells and chatted in the sunshine.

I’m definitely horsey inside and out.

Keep learning

Just cause we didn’t get to be demo riders today, didn’t mean that I missed out on the learning. Headed over to Forest Edge to watch everyone in action.

It was a really interesting and insightful day. Came away with lots of tips, exercises and things to play with when Buddy is back in action.

It was lovely to catch up with everyone too. It’s been a long winter. Not long till our first camp. More healing vibes for Buddy please people.

Off games

We were meant to be having a night away. Buddy in a lovely stable. Me in the Buddymobile. Tomorrow we were meant to be demo riders at another CPD Day. Flatwork this time. But someone is off games.

I know flatwork isn’t your favourite, but going lame is a little extreme Buddy. My fab farrier was due today so perfect timing. No obvious signs of an abscess, so hoping a few days rest and a treatment from Auntie Sam will do the trick and we will be back to it.

Honestly, I’m not joking when I say I feel thwarted. I literally get the Buddymobile fixed and now Buddy’s out of action. You couldn’t make it up.

Still Buddy is happy in himself. He’s not hopping lame, but definitely uncomfortable. Hoping he’s just tweaked something dicking about in the field. On the other hand, I’ve had my toddler tantrum and stamped my foot ( I’ll probably be lame tomorrow too).

Sometimes it’s just not your week. All healing vibes gratefully received.

Demo rider

What a blooming brilliant day! We got to do something new today. We were demo riders for a BHS CPD day. We had to ride in front of 14 coaches / instructors.

There were five of us riding today. Four in a group lesson and one in a private. Yesterday, Jo Winfield chose us to have the private lesson. What an honour. She was complimentary about my riding ability, Buddy’s capability and our partnership. As were a number of the coaches afterwards.

Obviously I didn’t hear everything she was saying about us as that’s not the idea. She’s coaching the coaches as well as me.

Today was all about Arena Eventing. Something we’ve done before. But not like this. Buddy jumped everything I asked. He gave me such a great feeling. Got to open him up for the XC style jumps.

Still lots to work on. We had so much fun though! Just what I needed. I smiled all the way home. I came away with homework. And am learning to us my body to slow him down.

We will both sleep well tonight.

Sleepover

It was an early start for us as Buddy and I have headed over to Forest Edge for a BHS clinic with Jo Winfield. Our first lesson was at 9am. Buddy was a little surprised when I arrived at the yard before 7am. He was even more surprised when rather than go out in his field, he headed towards the lorry.

Thankfully the traffic was kind and we sailed along, making good time.

Buddy is such a pro at B&B now. After our first lesson, he settled into his stable for the night. We’re having a sleepover as we’re demo riders for a CPD day on Arena Eventing.

After lunch, it was on to a jumping lesson. I say after lunch. As we were on at 1pm, I decide to eat afterwards. We haven’t done much jumping recently, so it was really good have the chance to work more on me. In fact that was the theme for both lessons – how my position influences him. Very interesting.

It’s been howling here all day so the Buddymobile could be rocking tonight. Think Buddy and I will both be snoring. Fingers crossed we’re on good form for tomorrow’s demo.