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!
They say trust the timing of your life. Well I’m having trust issues with mine today.
This morning, I went to sit on the sofa arm. Totally mistimed it and ended up on falling backwards onto the floor. Landed on my hand and jarred myself. Bert was most concerned.
Then we went out for our walk. Mistimed it so ended up getting caught in a shower. Was resigning myself to yet another soaking, when I remembered there is one of those emergency hoods on my coat.
Except it was too big for my head as it’s designed to go over a riding hat. So kept blowing off. Have you ever tried to pick up dog poo while holding a lead, stopping your hood blowing down and trying not to slide over in the mud. Thankfully I ended up laughing at my situation. And didn’t faceplant.
Then I headed to the yard, just as the heaven’s opened again. So got my timing wrong there.
Finally I forgot to put the timer on for my dinner so managed to burnt it.
I can always tell when I’m tired. I get even more accident prone. Even by my standards, I’ve excelled myself.
Today I’ve sprayed myself in the face with olive oil, tripped over the dogs on numerous occasions, nearly face planted after getting caught in a bramble, hit myself in the face with a cupboard door, hit my head on the stairs and parted company with Buddy. To name but a few.
I will be admitting defeat and heading to bed. The way my day’s going, I’ll probably fall out!
It must run in the family as my Dad was discharged from hospital today after taking a tumble on Saturday. Thankfully nothing broken. Of course it meant that Mum needed to be admitted too. She’s staying a bit longer so they can assess her further. It’s been a lot and many phone calls have been made. Again.
Today Buddy and I headed off to Geldeston for the BRC SJ Qualifiers.
After making the Champs last year by turning up (when the rest of the team were amazing), I was determined to do better this year. We’ve been working so hard on our jumping and are definitely seeing improvements.
On arrival, I heard the ground was hard, slippery and causing some issues. Walked the course and it felt firm but there was still a bit of spring in it. It seemed a really nice course. This team competition is run over two rounds. The first round was 80cm. The second one at 85cm and had 4 more jumps. I was feeling confident as we warmed up.
My confidence was well founded. Buddy stormed round the course for a super clear. I brought him back to trot for the bit that seemed the most slippy. Came out with a huge smile.
Then the day took a sad turn when one of my team mates had a nasty fall. The competitions were suspended while we waited for first an ambulance, then the air ambulance.
With Buddy safely back at the Buddymobile and munching away, I went back to check on her. I sat with her for over an hours stroking her hair and doing my best to keep her calm. She was in a lot of pain.
Thankfully when the air ambulance arrived, they gave her serious sedation so she could be transported. We did feel that it was a bit ironic when as a riding club we are raising money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. This is why!
After she was safely on her way to the N&N, the competition recommenced. I wanted to do the second round. I felt I had to. So warmed Buddy up again. There had been a number of withdrawals so didn’t have too much time to think about it before it was our turn.
It wasn’t the best round we’ve ever done. Halfway round, the previous 1.5 hours hit me. Buddy had switched off a bit in the break too and I know I didn’t ride very well. I burst into tears as I left the Arena.
Christ knows how but, we ended up with 6th place individually.
We all know the risk we take when we ride a horse. The love, enjoyment and partnership built outweighs that risk. But days like today remind me how it can go. So I’m focusing on the wonderful clear round we had, the camaraderie shown and the amazing support from our emergency services.
Not sure I’ve ever seen a vicar directing traffic before. But that’s what happened today!
I’m back in West Sussex for a flying visit to see my parents. I needed to go to Kent for a site visit so two birds and all that. Mum had a nasty fall on Friday (nothing broken but a large plant pot) so wanted to make sure she was OK.
Came the back way and the traffic lights were stuck on red. But the Rev was on hand to keep things moving. Well they say the Lord moves in mysterious ways… Talk about Community Spirit.
Well I said I wanted to road test my new body protector today. But I didn’t mean actually road test it! Seems Buddy took me literally when we went XC schooling today.
He also took the Tiger Trap literally too. He’s jumped it so many times in the past. But today it was terrifying. We parted company. Twice. Second time after jumping the bigger fence in an attempt to evade the fence I was asking him to jump. Horse logic huh?!
It’s been a while since we went XC schooling so I kinda get why he was a little unsure again.
It’s so frustrating. There are times when I feel like we’re going backwards. But we worked through it. And finished together smiling.
At least my new body protector is very comfortable. It definitely did a good job today. Oh and I am all good. Few more bruises to add to the collection.
I know I’ve been working really hard on our flat work and jumping. So guess I need to work on the XC a bit more before we tackle our first ODE. The road with horses is rarely linear.
So it appears I may have a mild concussion after my fall on Wednesday. Woke up feeling rather dizzy. Took me a while to get vertical without the world spinning. It was very reminiscent of when I had vertigo.
So I cut myself some slack and had chilled day. After doing my meetings and some work, I headed to the conservatory to join the kittens. It was gorgeous in the sunshine. Even though there had been another thick frost.
Yesterday when I got back, I put the ‘ski mask’ on the Comedy Car to help keep the frost out. Needed to pop out this afternoon and it appears that overnight the ski mask had blown off. So still had to scrape the car anyway. Best laid plans. And not great when you’re feeling off kilter.
Well today’s show jumping was definitely a tale of two halves. We headed to Easton for Carlton Riding Club’s show. It was more like an eventer trail today and quite a testing track. Buddy seemed up for it in the warm up so I thought we were in for a good round. I’d entered the 70 and 80 as he’s been jumping so well recently.
He was flying till we reached number 8. When suddenly I was flying solo. Landed on the wing and got myself a bit tangled in the poles.
It’s never good when you have to walk out of the arena. But still we were both OK. It’s also never good when the photographer tells you she got a great sequence of my fall. 🤦🏻♀️
Quick regroup in the warm up where he felt OK. Decided to drop the 80 and ask if I could go round the 70 again HC instead.
After some pointers from Lewis, we entered the ring again. And this time made it round with 8 faults (4 of which were definitely my fault). 👏🏻
He jumped everything. Including a triple, a house and lots of XC style jumps.
Overall, I’m looking at the positives. I guess I just need to think HC every time. I know I get a bit competitive sometimes.
Bruises and grazes heal. One day I know it will all come together again. Till then, we’ll just have to keep trying.
And just like that, we’re back at camp. This time with T&N Equestrian at Blackwater Farm.
Decided to do an extra night so I could take Buddy to Weston Equestrian Centre for a Newmarket Salt treatment. He wasn’t sure to start off with, but think he enjoyed it.
He was obviously feeling well as we’ve had our first camp fall. 🤦🏻♀️ Someone took exception to the pink portaloo. The same one he’s seem several times before. Oh well, camp doesn’t officially start till tomorrow so I’m not counting it. 🤪
Tales, Tails and Talus 