Equilibrium

I bought Buddy a present at Hickstead. Not sure he totally deserved it after our poor showing, but it’s been on the list for a while now. They had a show offer on, so I saved nearly 25% on it. So technically it was a bargain. Horse girl maths at full play there!

He is such a pampered pony. Totally worth it though. Anything to help him feel at his best. He will still have his regular treatments. This is to keep him loose in between. After Hickstead, I was tempted to wrap it round me too. Definitely feeling all those steps back and forth. It’s a huge site!

Buddy seemed to be enjoying it. He was drifting off at times. I wish I could do that when I’m having a massage. I clearly talk too much…

Co-pilot

We’re at Hickstead! A few firsts for me. First time driving a lorry on the M25. First time driving a lorry over the Dartford Bridge. First time driving Buddy to Hickstead. Longest journey in the new Buddymobile. Toby did good!

Now it’s a journey I have done hundreds of times before. I could find my way here blindfolded. I didn’t of course.

My co-pilot slept most of the way. As soon as we arrived, he jumped into the drivers seat. He’s been for a walk round the Showground.

Buddy, on the other hand, was a little full of himself. I thought he’d be tired after the journey. He clearly thought we’d been going so long he’d arrived at the Spanish Riding School! Still, he popped a few jumps and is now tucked up in bed ready for tomorrow.

I’m loving my new lorry. I’m getting used to the size of it. Working out how things work. I’m tucked up in the Luton. It’s so comfortable. Hoping we all get a good night before tomorrow’s competition

Good omens

This made me smile today. I do love it when you get a lovely reminder. I posted this when I was seriously miserable without a horse. Six months later, Murphy would arrive in my life and my adventures with horses would recommence.

Fast forward 16 years and I’m all packed ready take Buddy again to Hickstead tomorrow. We’re competing on Sunday in the BRC Team of 3.

Pip from back then would never believe that I would get to jump at Hickstead once, let alone twice. When I first did back in 2023, it was a lifelong dream come true… {yes I am still going on about it}.

Sunday I hope to do better than our last effort. Regardless of what happens, I’m incredibly proud of the horsey journey I’ve been on. The three horses I’ve had in the last 15 years have brought me so many memories – good and bad.

I’m taking this as a good omen. Of course this was watching the King George V Cup. Our round will be a lot smaller, but just as important. Well to me anyway.

Post

It was an exciting post day today. And a bittersweet one. The wristbands and lorry passes arrived for the BRC ‘Team of 3’ Carleton Riding Club have entered at the Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead.

I’m excited for those who are competing there for the first time. I’m excited for those returning. I’m excited that our Riding Club gets to be there again this year. I’m sad that Buddy and I won’t be a part of it. Achieving that dream was so last year. I can’t remember if I mentioned it?!?!

I am the Team Manager for the four teams we have entered. So I have played a tiny part in it. I’m hoping to be there as well to cheer them all on. Hickstead will always be a special place for me. It’s a wonderful place and RI is a wonderful show.

Notch

It had to be done! I now have a ‘Royal International Horse Show 2023’ notch on my Notch – Passion For Life bracelet.

I was given the bracelet as a present a few years ago. But it’s only this year that I’ve added to it. I was given one for my birthday to celebrate our trips to the Combined Challenge Championship this year and the Five Star Championship last year. Seemed appropriate to add one for Hickstead.

It’s a great concept. You add achievements. And let’s face it, I love an achievement. I’m already plotting and planning our next ones.

Ambitions

So this happened today. I can now say that I’ve ridden a horse at Hickstead. And jumped. It was only a practise fence this evening. But it still counts.

Growing up down the road, it’s been a life-long ambition to bring a horse here. Today I did just that. Tomorrow Buddy and I will be representing Carleton Riding Club here.

Regardless of what happens tomorrow, I’ve ticked something off my horsey bucket list.

It’s felt so good coming back to Royal International. It’s such an amazing experience.