Tag: horse

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.

Gorge

Well it’s not every day that you get a 50kg bale of haylage in your car?! The Comedy Car did good again. There was a bit of creaking on the way home.

Buddy will be a very happy boy when he sees this! I may need to ration it though so he doesn’t gorge himself on it. The camp countdown has begun. Off tomorrow and can’t wait!

Let’s hope this is enough haylage to get through 3 nights camp and a night at the Champs. It’s going to be a very busy week…

Secret weapon

So I made a thing happen. One of my favourite podcasts, Buckoff Banter has a running joke about ‘stay on’. It came from an experience one of them had at a show on a rather fresh horse. And someone outside the ring helpfully shouted it at her.

So I wrote to them after I nearly fell off in a lesson until the words ‘stay on’ came out of my mouth. After reading out my email, it was suggested that we need it on a t-shirt. And I made it happen!!

I happened to speak to a friend of mine who designs equestrian clothing and she designed it. I am now the proud owner of the first one! And it’s live on her website. How cool is that?!

This is my new secret weapon. I bloody love it!!

Splish-splash

I took Buddy out for a hack today. There were so many big puddles on our route. It’s always fun to go through them. Buddy was very happy to splish-splash too.

It’s a far cry from the Lake at Badminton. But we had fun. And it was good to be back behind my favourite ears again.

Back at Badders

It’s been wonderful being back at Badders today. The house looked at spectacular as I remembered it.

Up early to get there in plenty of time, the sat sav said we were due to arrive at 8:45am. We actually got into the car park at 10:45am having sat in traffic for 2 hours to go the final 5 miles.

I was gutted to miss the Lucinda Green XC Academy meet up. I’d been looking forward to meeting people I’ve been speaking to for over 2 years. But it wasn’t meant to be today.

The ground was heavy and very muddy. It was definitely a work out walking the course. I walked 7.1 miles over the undulating ground. The XC course was proving to be a very testing track indeed. The scoreboard made interesting reading at the end.

Now on the way home. Feeling tired, aching but very, very inspired!

Next year I’m determined to be there for the duration. Bring it on…

Stunning vista

I don’t think I could ever tire of this view. It makes my heart swell and it’s even better when I’m enjoying it with Buddy.

This is part of our hacking. We’re allowed to ride round the edges of the fields and there are a number footpaths too. It’s wonderful to have this on the yard’s doorstep. And it’s only about a 20 minute walk from my house.

It really is a special place for me. Sometimes when I’m hacking with Buddy, I forget to look around. But today, I did just that. I soaked in the view. It really was a wonderful way to end a rather busy day.

Connections

I met up this morning with a lady I’d connected with from the Lucinda Green XC Academy. There are members on there from all over the world. And she lived just down the road from me. Small world huh?! We chatted all things horses for over 1.5 hours.

This afternoon, I had a lesson with Simon Grieve over at Willow Farm. She asked if she could come and watch. And very kindly took some videos of us in action. Buddy was on top form. I love my lessons with Simon. He makes me feel like I can achieve anything with Buddy.

Tight ship

This was my office for the day. Stewarding the SJ at Blackwater Farm’s ODE.

I was in heaven! Not only did I have a clipboard, I had a radio too! I didn’t get a hi-viz as apparently I wasn’t a hazard. Clearly they don’t know me well enough….

I got nearly 120 competitors into the ring for their rounds. And ran a very tight ship (the SJ Judge’s words not mine). She was thrilled with how smoothly it ran. It was lovely watching everyone in action.

Obviously I’d prefer to be competing. But without volunteers, these events can’t run. So if you fancy a fun day out, go and volunteer at one. You don’t need to be horsey. All you need is a willingness to learn, a good sense of humour and a strong bladder helps. Oh and you get fed! Winner!!

I’ve been fortunate to compete regularly. So this was my mesh of giving back and ‘paying it forward’.

9-5

I decided to change things around today. I normally tend to ride in the afternoons, but today I felt drawn to go this morning instead.

So glad I did as I had an incredibly productive afternoon. Over my career, I’ve worked out when I am at my most productive. Of course, I can be productive all day. And have frequently worked long hours. But my ‘sweet spot’ seems to be between 4-7pm.

I’m thankful that I have a business where I can set my own hours. And clients who don’t set when I need to do the work.

Going out with Buddy this morning definitely set me up for a good day. I came back with a smile on my face. Wonder if I can claim him back as a business expense?! He definitely helps with my wellbeing…