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!
This is the face of someone who’s just let her horse gallop flat out up the gallop strip.
First time this year. And very much needed.
Not as much control as I would have liked over the speed as someone wanted to run!! He was definitely embracing his TB breeding today.
But he came back as soon as I asked and that’s the main thing. 🐎😍 Good job we both love going fast.
First ODE of the year. But as a groom to these gorgeous boys at Poplar Park.
I got up at 4:44am and left my friend’s yard at 4:44pm. Spooky! Fuelled by caffeine, good company and horse slober, the day flew by.
I am pooped now. Aching from walking over 5 miles (and they say the horse does all the work). Yet beaming from ear to ear!
I love a horsey outing.
Buddy made a new friend today. In fact, I’d say they were pretty enamoured with each other. He kept looking at her and she kept looking back. 😊
Lovely hack out with Rachel and her beautiful Midge. It may have been windy, but at least we missed the rain.
Two pony play dates in one week Buddy Boy! Such a lucky boy.
Today Buddy and I headed over to High Ash to meet up with Sam and Halo for a pony play date. We lucked out with the weather as it was glorious sunshine. Mind you a rather fresh wind so I was glad of my layers.
We covered over 5 miles round the tracks. It’s such a fantastic place to go. We didn’t stop chatting the whole way round. After a few tough weeks, it was the perfect tonic.
I’ve lost a bit of my riding mojo lately. It’s kinda understandable given the past few years and the number of plates I’m spinning. 2019 was the best year Buddy and I had together. We ticked so many things off my horsey bucket list and achieved so much together.
Sure I set my goals for 2022. But I felt downhearted and like we were going backwards. Things I’d normally look forward to or find easy suddenly seemed daunting.
Today I tackled it head on. First a dressage lesson with a new instructor at a new venue. Two things that could have concerned me in the past. But I felt confident, learnt a lot and really enjoyed my lesson. She was really insightful and explained so much of what’s going on with us. And gave me homework. We both got a good workout!
Then a coaching call with an equestrian coach to talk through my rider mindset. Another really insightful lady. She gave me some brilliant strategies and really helped sort my spaghetti brain. Oh and more homework.
We can struggle with any aspect of our lives. I’m grateful to have some amazing people in my tribe who I can reach out to. 😘
What a beautiful day it’s been. Norfolk is a stunning as Suffolk was. East Anglia really is special. Fortunate to be able to explore two counties in one day.
This was the perfect way to end a rather lovely weekend.
What a difference a week makes (and a few good nights sleep). Last week we were confined to barracks due to the storms. Today it was beautiful sunshine.
Think Buddy was as happy as I was to be back out hacking. It’s amazing how the weather can affect your mood. And a lack of good quality sleep. Self-care comes in many guises. This is definitely part of mine.
Right, this is getting ridiculous. How many frigging storms does one week needs?! Four is a bit much in anyone’s book (and apparently it’s now in the history books too).
It’s at time like this, I’m very grateful that we have an indoor school at the yard. But if I’m honest, I’m fed up with getting soaked, nearly blown off and frozen through.
And apparently we have more storms to come. 🤦🏻♀️
At least I can guarantee that Buddy will make me smile.
Took Buddy for a jumping clinic over at WHW. It was with a new instructor, Simon Grieve. I get nervous with new instructors. I’ve learnt that if I tell the instructor, it helps me. I needn’t have worried. He put me at ease and couldn’t have been more supportive.
Lots of different lines and jumps today. Buddy was a superstar. Bit forward at times, but once we agreed on the appropriate pace, he flew everything.
So proud of my little boy. When it’s good, it’s really, really good.
It was rather breezy out on our hack today. There were a number of moments when it felt like we just stopped.
I’m kinda glad I did some desensitising with Buddy as there was a lot of flapping going on today. And that was just us! My coat and Buddy’s bum cover were in full flap-mode.
If there were any cobwebs left after my walk this morning, they’d definitely gone by the time I got back. 💨😝
Tales, Tails and Talus 