Highlands

This is my favourite jump on the Scone Palace International Horse Trials course. I spotted it on Wednesday, but today I got closer as we walked the course. How cool and adorable is it?! Not sure it’ll fit in the caravan though.

Flynn did his dressage test this morning. Think I was holding my breath for most of it. They scored 33 and are in 7th place overnight. Amazing!

I must admit I was a bit giggy with it all. And then I met Ian Stark!! What a lovely man he is?! 71 and still competing. He’s in the 2*L. Murphy Himself was a legend of a horse. I’ve always had a soft spot for a grey. Then I got a grey called Murphy.

I also got to watch London 52 do his dressage test in the 4*S. I’ve watched some great tests in the past two days.

Tomorrow is the start of the XC and for Flynn too. My step count is high, my heart rate will be as well. Bert is settling into eventing life. I still can’t quite believe I’m here…

Shrunk

My spare bed has shrunk. Intentionally of course. I had a king-sized bed in there but it really was too big. So when I was offered a smaller version I jumped at the chance.

It was the Great Bed Swap Around today. My old big bed is now living across the close. My new little bed was put together. I’m still no nearer sorting out a replacement mattress for me though. But that seems to be a bit of a trend right now. It’ll get sorted I’m sure.

Grateful for the smaller bed. The room looks huge now! Forgive the amount of cushions, they’re still on restriction from Bert. He’s rather partial to running around with one in his mouth. Hence the fact they’re out of bounds. Not that there is anything wrong with a cushion or two. I have several to go in my new lorry.

Smaller bed means new bedding. I love new bedding. I need some for the new lorry too. So if you insist…

Little D

Another day, another horsey venue ticked off for Bert. He’s getting quite the pro now! This time it was a trip to Little Downham to catch up with some friends. And watch one of my friend’s horse Flynn in the OI.

Bert got to meet Jeff the dog too. Who was rather amorous. Let’s just say there was a lot of humping. Given Jeff is at least half the size of Bert, it made for comical viewing. Bert’s legs were getting a lot of action. Not that he seemed bothered.

We did get to see lots of horses in action too. Between the chatting, laughing and catching up. It’s been a while.

Today was very good for the spirits. It reminded me how wonderful friendships can be when you pick right up where you left off.

The Thai meal we had afterwards was very good for the stomach. Well we needed to celebrate Flynn’s win! Winner, winner, Pad Thai Dinner.

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.

Planning ahead

Today I did something that makes me smile every year. I paid for my first camp. It’s at the end April, so fingers crossed it warms up a bit.

If you’ve known me for any length of time, you know how much I love a camp. What’s not to love? Spending time away with Buddy. Learning from great instructors. Catching up with wonderful people. Making new friends. And this time I get to take Bert with me. Let’s hope he likes camps as much as Buddy and I do.

He’s making his debut at Forest Edge next week. We’re booked onto a day clinic. So this will be a good test of his ‘Lorry Dog’ status. Buddy will be so happy to be back there too. After his injury last year, it’ll be good to be back there and actually do the riding bit. I’ll always be a supporter.

Back again

After a very long time, today saw our return to Blickling. Honestly, it’s been months since we were last there. It was also Bert’s first visit! It was so good to catch up with Katie and Archie too. We talked the whole way round.

It was glorious weather too. This photo made me laugh, it looks like Archie and Buddy have had words.

Having ridden for nearly 1.5 hours, I took Bert for a run around. We had our first recall fail when Bert decided that another spaniel was far more fun than Mummy. Thankfully, said spaniel was very happy to play and the owners were incredibly understanding. They said they remembered those moments well.

There were lots of positives though. Bert waited in the lorry while I rode. He ignored several other dogs. And he did come back after he’d played. He clearly has the same love of Blickling that I have…

Settle

Bert has his first trip to the roses place today. I met up with a couple of friends for a late lunch. I hadn’t realised that dogs were allowed. Guess I hadn’t needed to before.

They had dog rules. One of which was that all 4 paws had to be on the floor. Bert broke that one by jumping on my chair while I went to order. Whoops!

He’s becoming quite the pro at ‘settle’. I brought a ‘body part’ with me. That helped. He happily chomped away on it while we chatted.

Pub pup

Bert went to the pub for lunch today. Yes, I know he’s underage at a mere 12 weeks. So we kept him away from the hard stuff. He was rather well behaved for his first outing. He didn’t start any fights – even with a rather large pointer shouting at him. He didn’t pee or throw up. Better than some I’ve seen in the pub. He also got lots of fuss and attention.

We had a lovely relaxed lunch. After a lovely long ride out. Then back to the yard for my friends to pop some jumps. While Bert slept off his pub lunch…

Jester

Bert met Jester today. He’s by far the biggest dog that he’s met so far. And for the first time, I saw an overwhelmed Bert.

It didn’t last. Once Bert realised that as big as Jester is, he just wanted to play too, he was fair game. Jester was so gentle with him. Even when Bert was bouncing all over him. Though Bert was submissive too.

It was so cute. Definitely the start of a beautiful friendship…

Animal planet

When your puppy gets invited round to meet your friend’s dog and it turns into an episode of Animal Planet!

Now Frankie has a bit of a reputation as a humper. He frequently goes to town on my leg. Tonight, he was having a whale of a time humping Bert’s head and my arm at the same time.

Bert gave as good as he got and was trying to hump Frankie in return. There was lots of playing going on too. Safe to say that Frankie and Bert are going to be firm friends.

Camps could be interesting if the humping continues. There’s a joke in there about lorries rocking….