Deferring

The plan had been to take a friend and her horse with us for a ride in Thetford Forest today. Unfortunately she wasn’t feeling very well, so we deferred our outing in favour of a hack at home instead.

We were out for nearly 2 hours all told. It was fab. She’d even made lunch for us to take. So we when we got back, we had a picnic in the tack room. I did offer to unlock the lorry so we could sit in there. Lunch in the lorry has a lovely ring to it.

Sometimes plans work out. Sometimes you just make a new plan. This one worked out well after all. Happy Sunday everyone.

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?!

Ashes to ashes

We scattered my Mum’s ashes today. Her last wish was to be scattered in Golders Green Crematorium. Alongside her Dad, Mum, Brother and Son.

It’s a beautiful place. So peaceful given it’s in London. It was my first visit as I wasn’t there when the others were scattered.

I feel like I had the chance to say my final goodbyes to those already there. As well as to my Mum.

Afterwards, we headed to Sunny Hill to have some lunch and give Bert a runaround. It was aptly named that’s for sure! He loved meeting his Grandad and his cousins.

On the way back, I stopped at Thetford Forest so Bert could have a leg stretch. I must admit I needed one too after a lot of driving. It’s been a long, lovely day…

Educational

Today has been a very educational one for Buddy, Bert and me. We headed over to Forest Edge for a BHS Clinic being run there. I haven’t been there for a while, it felt so good to be back. It was Bert’s first trip. He loved having zoomies in the forest.

Buddy thankfully didn’t have any zoomies in the arena. Lots of lightbulb moments in our two lessons. Bert slept in the Buddymobile while I was riding. He’s really getting the hang of it all. Good job too as it’s 6 weeks till camp.

Buddy was on top form too. He’s come back from his injury so much softer. It was lovely to catch up with everyone. It’s such a happy place for me.

Forest dwellers

Well it’s been a long time come. Buddy and I are back at Forest Edge for the last training camp of 2024.

I set it as a stretch goal for his rehab. A lovely synchronicity in that it was at the first training camp in April that his injury was really noticed.

We’re doing one lesson per day rather than two. And I will be keeping an eye on him. In fact I’m pretty sure there will be lots of eyes on him. So many people have been on this journey with us. There are lots of Buddy fans here too.

He’s tucked up in his stable. I’m tucked up in my lorry. I bet he doesn’t have a leak though. I’m currently experiencing Chinese water torture with a drip behind my head. Another job for the list…

I will be OK. It can’t take the smile off my face right now. We’ve made it to camp. Big tick for us both.

I know I’ve been to a few without him. But it really is wonderful to have him here…

Cressida

I headed over to Great Hockham today to meet up with a friend for a ride in the forest. I was rather honoured to be offered the chance to ride her mare, Cressida.

Now I’m much more of a gelding girl. Mares and I haven’t always seen eye to eye.

She’s also a chestnut. And chestnut mares have a bit of a reputation for being rather fiesty. Dragon riding has been mentioned in the past.

I love the film ‘How to train your dragon’. I’ve watched it many times. So was hoping that would put me in good stead. I didn’t need any of it. Cressida was on her best behaviour. She was very lovely to ride indeed.

The irony is that it was also a Cressida who wrote the book the film is based on. Must have been a good omen.

Forest dweller

The Buddymobile had its first outing of 2024. Buddy and I headed over to Thetford Forest to meet up with Vicky Harris and her gorgeous baby boy, Roo.

Buddy can be quite the calming influence. Roo definitely seemed very chilled in his company. I think a new bromance has been formed.

It was lovely to take Buddy somewhere new too. I could have ridden round for hours. So lucky to be able to get out and about. And it was relatively dry under hoof! Though it seems Buddy brought a lot of mud with him as I failed to groom my horse properly. Epic groom fail there! Buddy was very happy to embrace his bog monster breeding.

Vicky brought some soup for lunch as well. Now I love anyone who feeds me. So Broccoli and Stilton soup went down a treat when we got back.

All in all a wonderful day.

Photo fail

I thought I’d try and take an arty photo of our boys in the forest. Ended up perfectly framing Katie between Buddy’s ears.

Couldn’t help smile. Well smile even more. It felt good to be back in the forest ready for another training camp.

Of course I might regret that statement after sweating my backside off tomorrow. I packed so many extra clothes. Unlike last time, it’ll be for sweating rather than shivering.

Ease in gently

We’ve arrived at Forest Edge for the first camp of 2023. I’m a little giddy about it. Buddy was more understated.

Boys all settled ready for our first lessons tomorrow. We took them for a lovely hack round the forest to ease them in gently. I asked a walker if she’d take our photo. I didn’t realise she was on the phone. Made us giggle as she told whoever she was talking to that she was taking a photo for some ladies on horses. I guess for many people, it’s not an every day occurrence.

Now snuggled up in the Buddymobile, full of pizza and looking forward to tomorrow.