Sound

Today I had some great news, Buddy is sound. Looks like he tweaked something in the field judging by where he was tight. Auntie Sam came and gave him the once over. He was VERY tight and VERY reactive. He left us in no doubt where the issues were.

I’ve been trying so hard not to worry or panic about it all. It’s really tough. I know it’s horses. They are even more accident prone than I am (and that’s saying something). When I got back from Burnham yesterday, I realised I’ve been flirting from anxious to sad. More tears followed.

Horses are such an important part of my life. Buddy gets the best I can afford. I got without at times. Going away to training camps, competitions and having adventures are really important.

Last night, I played the ‘what if’ game. I didn’t get the best night as my brain was whirling (don’t worry, I also included ‘what if he’s fine’). This morning, I sat and journalled. A lot came out. There isn’t an area of my life that doesn’t need some sort of attention.

So much of it is outside my control. Knowing that Buddy is OK really does make me feel better in myself. The rest, well I’m doing my best. That’s all I can do. At least I can put a few things down today.

Barefoot

What a lovely day at Burnham Market Horse Trails. Caught up with so many people and watched some incredible combinations. Came away feeling very inspired, if a little wind burnt!

Burnham is one of my favourite events. Sadly we’ve lost so many events from the region. Thankfully this one is still in the eventing calendar. Long may that continue…

Keep learning

Just cause we didn’t get to be demo riders today, didn’t mean that I missed out on the learning. Headed over to Forest Edge to watch everyone in action.

It was a really interesting and insightful day. Came away with lots of tips, exercises and things to play with when Buddy is back in action.

It was lovely to catch up with everyone too. It’s been a long winter. Not long till our first camp. More healing vibes for Buddy please people.

Off games

We were meant to be having a night away. Buddy in a lovely stable. Me in the Buddymobile. Tomorrow we were meant to be demo riders at another CPD Day. Flatwork this time. But someone is off games.

I know flatwork isn’t your favourite, but going lame is a little extreme Buddy. My fab farrier was due today so perfect timing. No obvious signs of an abscess, so hoping a few days rest and a treatment from Auntie Sam will do the trick and we will be back to it.

Honestly, I’m not joking when I say I feel thwarted. I literally get the Buddymobile fixed and now Buddy’s out of action. You couldn’t make it up.

Still Buddy is happy in himself. He’s not hopping lame, but definitely uncomfortable. Hoping he’s just tweaked something dicking about in the field. On the other hand, I’ve had my toddler tantrum and stamped my foot ( I’ll probably be lame tomorrow too).

Sometimes it’s just not your week. All healing vibes gratefully received.

Naked pony

They say things come in threes, but today mine were all good.

First, I got laundry on the line. With the sunshine and high winds, it was dry rather quickly.

Second, Buddy had a naked day in the field. He was very pleased to see me

And finally, the Buddymobile is fixed. More on that tomorrow.

All in all a good day.

Panda Power

Back home after a fab horsey adventure. Emma and I talked non-stop. I’m so glad I decided to be spontaneous and go with her to the Champs this weekend.

We thought we were lucky when we arrived yesterday to be parked right next to the stables. Not so lucky when we had a horse calling and crashing during the night. Neither of us got the best night. At one point, I was debating getting up to check it wasn’t cast or collicking.

Bit of an early start to do the Arena Walk. As Emma and Panda were the first in their class, there wasn’t much point going back to the lorry.

It was so windy today. But really warm. It would have been a glorious day if the wind had dropped.

Everyone had the same issue though. And everyone did really well in rather challenging circumstances.

It was lovely watching people. One of my observations was how diverse the horses and riders were. From leggy warmbloods to hench highlands, and everything in between. The riders were all shapes, sizes and ages too.

Wonderful to see people enjoying being away with their horses. I enjoyed it too. I was very well fed and watered. Came home feeling inspired to get Buddy to another Championships.

Stowaway

Greetings from Arena UK, Grantham. Last night at the Carleton RC Committee meeting, I found out that one of the members was heading to a Champs the next day solo. So I offered to stowaway in her lorry and come with her.

Ended up volunteering for a few hours. It’s been ages since I was away for a horsey adventure. It’s good to be back out. Even if I’m not here with Buddy.

Sat in the lorry, cider in one hand, waiting for a posh fish finger sandwich. Living the dream. Sometimes you just have to say yes to things.

Improvise

Had to improvise today as the indoor school was being harrowed when I went to lunge Buddy. So I took him out to his field. In the squally wind. That was interesting!

A couple of ‘wind up the tail’ moments. But for the most part he was his usual wonderful self.

I like to lunge him as it gives me a different view of him and his way of going. He’s looking really well at the moment. Good job too with his crack support team!

One of whom I met for breakfast. It was really good to chat without a horse in the way. Though there were rather large sausage baps involved. I’ll let you insert your own jokes there.

Thwarted

Today was the first ODE at Blackwater. I didn’t enter and I’m OK with that decision. My preparation hasn’t been right and I don’t like winging it when it comes to eventing.

I’ve felt rather thwarted recently. I understand it. The first quarter of 2024 has been challenging. First the back and forward to my parents, then getting floored by the flu, my saddle being reflocked, working long hours and finally the Buddymobile being off the road.

I’m not making excuses, I’m reflecting. Today I noticed I’d picked my BRC Combined Challenge hoodie. Last year I represented my Riding Club on many occasions. And even with similar challenges, we still achieved an awful lot.

So while the first quarter we haven’t done much, there are still three more quarters to go. I’m happy for people who are out there having fun with their horses. It makes me so happy to see people overcoming hurdles and achieving things.

It’s been us so many times. And I will be us again. But for now, I’ll just have to be content to cheer from the sidelines.

The Buddymobile will be fixed- hopefully quickly and cheaply (I’m running out of body parts to sell). Bring on Q2…

Complaint

Pretty stunning huh?! A beautiful calm sunny day you say? Not for my jumping lesson. I had high winds, rain and hail.

You know the type of weather where you have to laugh as you’re question your life choices. Where you’re coming into a jump eyes closed in the rain praying one of you can see it.

Thankfully Buddy was on great form. He locked onto every jump. Lewis brought a couple of his jumps over for us to have a play with. Buddy ate them up.

He had us working on straightness and curving lines. It wasn’t long ago that Buddy would have had a meltdown at such technical tracks. Now he’s taking me into the jumps. It’s a wonderful feeling.

Typically the wind dropped and the sun came out after we finished. I did put in a complaint that I got the more challenging weather. I guess it was typical eventing weather. Time to break out the body protector and get back to it.

Super pleased with my little boy today.