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!
What a lovely day at Burnham Market Horse Trails. Caught up with so many people and watched some incredible combinations. Came away feeling very inspired, if a little wind burnt!
Burnham is one of my favourite events. Sadly we’ve lost so many events from the region. Thankfully this one is still in the eventing calendar. Long may that continue…
Today was the first ODE at Blackwater. I didn’t enter and I’m OK with that decision. My preparation hasn’t been right and I don’t like winging it when it comes to eventing.
I’ve felt rather thwarted recently. I understand it. The first quarter of 2024 has been challenging. First the back and forward to my parents, then getting floored by the flu, my saddle being reflocked, working long hours and finally the Buddymobile being off the road.
I’m not making excuses, I’m reflecting. Today I noticed I’d picked my BRC Combined Challenge hoodie. Last year I represented my Riding Club on many occasions. And even with similar challenges, we still achieved an awful lot.
So while the first quarter we haven’t done much, there are still three more quarters to go. I’m happy for people who are out there having fun with their horses. It makes me so happy to see people overcoming hurdles and achieving things.
It’s been us so many times. And I will be us again. But for now, I’ll just have to be content to cheer from the sidelines.
The Buddymobile will be fixed- hopefully quickly and cheaply (I’m running out of body parts to sell). Bring on Q2…
That’s Burghley done for another year. Another fantastic experience and more memories made. Lovely company. Lovely weather. And lots of lovely horses. What more could you want.
My legs are aching and my feet are very sore. I think I’ve probably done a full week’s worth of steps this weekend and some.
Given the number of people who attend each year, I’m always amazed at how many people I bump into. So lovely to see so many familiar faces.
The only blip on a wonderful weekend, was losing my notch bracelet. Still no sign of it, but hopefully it’ll turn up.
I’ve come home inspired. Bye bye Burghley. Till next year…
I love this tree. Every time I visit Burghley on XC day, I try and find it. It’s very healthy and happy. But the middle is like a little hobbit house.
It was lovely and cool in there too as the temperature certainly climbed today. So did we! You forget how undulating the course is. Having walked round it twice now, my legs are feeling it. There will be some very tired horse legs too. The course was definitely taking no prisoners today.
Burghley is such a wonderful event. The house looks resplendent in the afternoon sunshine.
Having walked the course, we retired to the shade to watch the final horses on the big screen. Jeff was very happy about this. He was so tired towards the end, he needed Auntie Pip to carry him. Well he’s only got very little legs. I think we’ll all be feeling it tomorrow. The trot up is going to be very interesting indeed.
Great first day at Burghley Horse Trials saw my first course walk with the legend that is Lucinda Green. Gosh she is so knowledgeable. It was fascinating hearing her views on the course. It’s a testing track indeed. Lots of choices for the riders. Very excited to see how it rides tomorrow.
As I’m part of her XC Academy, I got a gift today. Such a lovely touch.
I completely underestimated how long the course walk would be. 3.5 hours we were out on the course. So I’ve clocked up a few steps already. We saw lots of the riders walking the course too.
Back tomorrow for the main event. Fingers crossed for lots of thrills and not too many spills.
Another fab horsey day out for me. Stewarding the SJ at Blackwater Farm’s ODE. It was a glorious day. Unfortunately my suncream application skills are far inferior to my ability to get every rider through the SJ phase. Let’s just say Aloe Vera is my friend right now.
A lovely Brucey Bonus today was meeting this incredible human being. Many of you might follow her. She’s the person behind Muddy Mayhem. And part of my favourite podcast Buck Off Banter.
She’d dusted off her eventing boots after a hiatus and smashed it out of the park! Got me thinking that maybe it’s time to dust off mine. I do miss it. So time to refresh my goals and kick on. Better warn Buddy he needs to crack out his brave pants!
Might need to wait till I stop glowing though. Not sure I could any kind of boots on right now. The backs of my legs are on fire! Bit like Karla.
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.
I got to hold an Advanced Event horse today. That’s the eventing equivalent to ‘I carried a watermelon’ from Dirty Dancing. Closest I will ever get to that level.
This is Flynn, my friend’s horse. He was doing his first Advanced at Little Downham. So I went over to support her. Gosh he’s a bit lush!
It was wonderful watching him in action having heard so much about him. Another horsey day to finish off my birthday week. I have the feeling I will be seeing Flynn in action again…
Another full on day stewarding the SJ today at Blackwater Farm’s ODE. The power of the clipboard was in full force again.
So many lovely people who were grateful for my efforts. It’s so nice when people say thank you. Without volunteers, these events couldn’t run.
A couple of grumpy ones, but that’s life. I may have suggested that they volunteer next time to see how difficult a job it actually is.
I did the best I could to get everyone through as quickly as possible. Challenging when we had delays from the dressage. And then another hold up when a loose horse decided to come and join the party.
As a ‘professional organiser’ I was in my element. The fact I was over-sugared probably helped. Still for the most part, everyone had a good day. And that’s what matters.
Next time, I’m aiming to be a competitor so will definitely say thank you to the volunteers.
Fab day at Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials. Bumped into so many people, it was lovely catching up with everyone.
Made some new friends too. One of those random moments where you get chatting to someone at a fence. Next thing you know you’ve spent several hours chatting. Then they pop home and bring a bottle of wine to share with everyone.
The eventing at inspiring too. So many top riders to geek over. And top horses to dribble over. I came away rather rosey cheeked (sunburn not the wine), very inspired and with a new show jacket. We will definitely look the part if nothing else.
Today has been a very good day.
Tales, Tails and Talus 