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!
Carleton RC are holding a beach camp up at Wells this weekend. As I was in Dereham having my hair cut, I thought I’d pop up and say hi. Well I was kinda halfway there.
It was lovely to catch up with people. I got fed (which is always a bonus). Then helped set a course of jumps for them.
It’s a beautiful setting for a camp. North Norfolk really is stunning. Not the best photo as you can’t actually see the beach. But it is there. They’ve been heading out for beach rides. Sounds like they’ve been having lots of fun!
It’s rather different to the camps I usually go to. Maybe next year I’ll take Buddy for a splashing time.
I headed over to catch up with Natalie this afternoon. She’d kindly offered me the chance to ride one of her horses. I met Blue. He’s 17HH so bigger than Buddy. Just as cheeky though. He definitely made me smile.
I’m grateful that people have offered me their horses to ride while Buddy is off games. It’s very flattering that they consider me good enough.
But riding other horses reminds me that I am a good rider. Sure I’m no professional. I class myself as an enthusiastic amateur (with the emphasis on enthusiastic).
The same could be said of Blue as he jogged along. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride! I definitely wasn’t blue by the end. Though my foot might be after he stood on it. Guess you can’t win them all.
Well I’ve made it to the ripe old age of 54! Happy birthday me! And I got an extra special present today. I got back on Budy for the first time in a month. Oh I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed these ears. He’s still got a long way to go with his rehab. But the first constitutional under saddle is a milestone.
My birthday is usually a big deal in my world. This year it kinda snuck up on me. I hadn’t planned anything. And this morning when I woke up, I really wasn’t feeling it. After all, it’s only another trip round the sun. Things with Buddy, my parents and life in general has all overshadowed it this year.
Thankfully people in my life decided that it should be marked. I’m overwhelmed with the number of messages I’ve had.
I’ve had some incredibly wonderful and thoughtful presents too. Tonight I was taken out for dinner. And have had cake. Lots of cake.
Next year will be a big one for me. I didn’t get to celebrate my 50th the way I’d planned because of Covid. So I’ve decided to celebrate my 55th in style!
Headed to the Suffolk Show bright and early today with Vic and Ernie. Well maybe not bright but definitely early. We were just about to leave when I realised I was wearing jeans. Not appropriate groom’s wear. See, not so bright. Not sure where my head was this morning. Too busy trying making sure I remembered my hat. Grateful I live so close to the yard as I was able to whizz home to pick up some more appropriate trousers.
A broken down bus meant a detour round the country lanes. We met a Good Samaritan who came to our rescue and told us to follow her. Which we duly did. Poor Ernie was bouncing around in the trailer down some rather narrow tracks.
Still we arrived in good time. Just as the heaven’s opened. Luckily it was a passing shower. Before we knew it, it was show time! It was all going on! It was rammed by the ring. Not seen that many people at the show for many a year. There was a motorbike display going on in the main ring. That was really loud. The ring was buzzing with music, people, children, dogs and a tannoy going on. Quite the challenge.
Still Vic and Ernie held it together and came away with second place. Very proud of my charges today.
Once we got back, I took Buddy for his constitutional. Before walking home. Cause I hadn’t walked enough today. My step count will be high today! Think we will all sleep well tonight.
After mucking out, I popped up to check Buddy’s leg. He had a moment yesterday during his constitutional when faced with two steam engines. He held it together rather well all things considered. They are really noisy. Lots of rattling and clanking. But he did have a little dance as they passed by.
On my way up the field, I spotted this rather tall tower of poop. It made me giggle as it looked like some sort of modern art. Do you think I could sell it to the Tate Modern?!
Head over to Easton College for Carleton’s May Show. I was there to steward the show jumping. Wasn’t expecting to herd everyone into the arena to shelter from a thunderstorm. The rain was biblical at times and the thunder echoed round the arena.
Thankfully it passed quickly and we could get back on with the jumping. It was lovely seeing everyone in action. Of course, I did wish I was jumping. We’ll be back to it when Buddy is all better again.
At least I get to spend time watching the action, supporting others and catching up with my horsey family.
Buddy Boy turned 14 today. Sadly it wasn’t the best weather for him. Rather damp as we headed out for our walk.
Usually we’d go for a long ride together. This year it’s a bit different. I wonder if Buddy minded. I definitely missed it. I didn’t miss Buddy acting like a 3 year old when he heard the steam rally. Cause he’s never heard that before!
Probably not my best plan. We didn’t go that close. And assumed that as he’s experienced it 7 years now, he’s be OK. That was my first mistake. Never assume with horses. Or it could have been the boy racer car backfiring. We had it all today. And we were only out 15 mins.
I did get back in the saddle today though as a friend let me ride her horse. Maybe that was Buddy’s birthday treat too? He looked quite surprised when spotted me.
Happy Birthday Buddy Boy. You really are My Absolute Diamond.
Buddy has his special shoe put on today. Just call him Cinderella! It’s called a spider plate apparently. My fab farrier made it for him after having a chat with the vet. Honestly, I’m not kidding when I say Buddy has a crack support squad!
To make sure he’s not wonky, he made a slightly different version for his other front hoof. Everything crossed it helps his recovery.
I love the green putty. Green is definitely Buddy’s colour. Well he is an Irish boy after all.
I’m grateful for my crack support squad today too. There have been lots of tears today. Things have been building up for a while. I know I’ve been drifting into the rumble strip of life. So today I let the tears flow. And took my oversized Labrador and his Cinderella shoes out for his constitutional. It helped.
One day we will go to the Ball Buddy Boy. Till then, walking it is. Let’s face it, he’s definitely my Prince Charming.
Another successful stint of commentating today. This time back at the Area 14 & 8 RC ODE at Poplar Park. The weather was perfect as was the going. The same can’t be said for my pronunciation of all of the horse and riders. I did my best as always.
Helen and I have a fab partnership now. Even thought we only do this together once a year, it’s like no time has passed. She even created her own version of the horse tracker to make sure things ran as smoothly as possible. It worked. Not a clue how many combinations we got round today. I know for sure that there were no fallers on XC today.
It was as inspiring as ever seeing so many happy faces come through the finish line – horses and riders. Till next year…
Tales, Tails and Talus 