Runneth over

Well my cup runneth over this weekend. My Riding Club family have given me such a boost. So did Buddy.

It’s been a fab weekend. I’m still beaming from yesterday’s clinic. Being able to get back out jumping definitely filled me with joy.

Last night, I had a lovely dinner with Nicola Wilson, Simon Grieve and most of the Carleton Committee. It was great to catch up with them. So many laughs over great food. Very much needed.

Today, I was driver and support crew, heading to Wakefield Stud for Nicola’s second clinic of the weekend.

There are times when organising clinics like this seem a very daunting and thankless task. Seeing the smiling faces over this weekend, makes it worth it. Very proud to have played a tiny part in it all.

I know that this week is going to be tough as I head back down South for my Mum’s funeral. This weekend brought tears to my eyes, a smile to my face and more memories for the archives.

Olympian

Well it’s not every day you can say you had a lesson with an Olympian! But there were so many other reasons to celebrate today. Rather early start as we needed to be at Easton for 8am. Poor Buddy has just gone out when I got him back in and on the lorry. We left the yard bang on 7:30am.

We were booked into a clinic with Nicola Wilson. Nicola was an international event rider and part of Team GB, winning a Silver medal in London 2012. She was also European Individual Champion 2021 – 2023. Amongst other medals and achievements.

She had a career-ending fall at Badminton in 2022 and sustained multiple spinal fractures that has resulted in the loss of sensation and movement in her extremities. I’ve followed her journey from accident to now. Talk about inspirational. She has determination I can only dream of!

She is also the most lovely person. So I was excited to have a lesson with her. It was the first time back jumping at Easton since Buddy’s injury. The little worry doubts were in my head. Well Buddy soon quashed those. He was having a wonderful time. He jumped everything. Even with my dodgy lines. Honestly, I need to work on straightness.

It was the first proper course we’ve jumped since April so again, a big tick on his rehab. He feels softer, freer and very adjustable.

This photo made me smile, he looks like he’s taking a bow! He was such a dude today. I can’t stop smiling. And let’s face it, I need lots of those right now.

Tsunami

I’ve often referred to grief as being like the ocean – it comes in waves.

After taking Buddy out this morning, I felt like things were right in my world again. Then this afternoon I was hit by a tsunami of emotions. Not sure what triggered it. But they took my breath away and made me cry at my desk. So I let the tears flow.

I guess it was going to happen. There are so many emotions to process when you lose someone. Dying is a process. Grief is one too. How you grieve is very personal. No right or wrong way, just what works for you…

Poles & puppies

Today has been about poles and puppies. Started the day taking Buddy to a pole clinic. He was exceptional. Well for Buddy and Poles! Think we were both a bit excited at being back out doing stuff.

And I suspect he was waiting for the poles to turn into jumps. Sadly he was out of luck there. Still lots of positives to take away.

This afternoon I headed down to Simon & Harry’s for a long overdue catch up. It’s been far too long since I visited them. Definitely got a very warm welcome.

I got to have cuddles with their puppies too. Oh my day, talk about scrumminess!! I’ve known almost all their dogs since they were puppies. So fitting that I got to meet these squigglings. They all have lovely homes lined up. Some people are going to be very lucky indeed.

Buzz cut

Buddy finally had his first clip today. I’ve had to put it back twice as he didn’t have much to clip! It’s been so mild that he’s been getting a bit sweaty. So glad he’s done.

Clipping with Buddy has been quite the journey. He’s gone from histrionics to mild indifference. We were reminiscing about some of his antics. He’s rather ticklish so he’s still expressive. He still doesn’t like his ears or face doing. But for the most part, he was a really good boy for Beki.

Doesn’t he look smart?

Abode

I’m back home after a very long and emotional week. Driving back gave me time to reflect on things. My Mum has been very poorly for over 5 years. It’s been a lot. I guess I’ve had plenty of time to think about her passing. Rehearse it in many ways. Don’t get me wrong, there’s much sadness. There are also a lifetime of memories to look back at too.

I listened to a podcast on the way back that compared life to a roadtrip. The irony of me listening to it on the M25 wasn’t lost believe me. When you drive, you spend more time looking at the road ahead than you do looking in your rear view mirror. I guess that’s why the windscreen is bigger than the rear window.

It was an interesting analogy. And got me thinking about where I’m heading. Not literally of course. My first stop was to see Buddy, well after getting home and seeing the kittens. The kittens were very pleased to see me. Buddy was more interested in his hay. He did give me a couple of smooches. I’ll take that. And an evening of kitten cuddles on the sofa.

I know I will need to head back to my Dad’s again soon. But for now, I’m happy to be home.

Prancy one

This photo came up on my memories today. 10 years ago, Murphy and I were out dancing. We got a 9 for our final halt. The one and only time I’ve got a 9 in a dressage test. For basically standing still!! Kinda sums up my relationship with dressage.

I’d love to say that I’ve improved since then. Buddy is very different to Murphy. Let’s just go with I’ve tried really hard to improve since then. When he’s not spooking at the markers and I’m not riding like a muppet.

I’ve had a lot of time to think about my horsey goals this year. With Buddy being off games for a big chunk of it, it’s given me time to reflect on stuff. I know my biggest issue with dressage is that I don’t feel I’m good enough. So I’ve been looking at why. Not got to the bottom of it. Yet.

As equestrians, we literally pay someone to judge us! In my book, that takes guts and confidence. Maybe it’s time to stop thinking and just start dancing…

Wakehurst

I needed to get outdoors today, so I headed over to Wakehurst Place this afternoon. Being outdoors and in nature are good healers for me. With all the emotions and stress of the past few days, I’d usually go for a long ride on Buddy. That’s not an option at the moment. So this was the next best thing.

Wakehurst Place is part of Kew Gardens and the National Trust. My Mum was a lifetime National Trust member, so I borrowed her card. We used to go there together. But I haven’t been for many years.

I walked round the gardens. Then found a bench to sit and reflect. The bench was dedicated with a line from a Wordsworth poem ‘To stay the wanderer’s steps and soothe his thoughts.’ Seemed rather fitting.

I had a chat with a magpie as you do. Before walking up to the highest point. As I sat looking out across the treetops, I couldn’t stop the tears from coming. Luckily there was no-one around.

On my way out, I noticed a plant I recognised. It was a Veronica. My Mum’s favourite. Can’t imagine why?! Guess I’ll be getting one for the garden.

Catwalk

Decided to take Buddy in the school for some pole dancing. Just as the heavens opened. So Buddy was less than impressed. I wasn’t thrilled either.

We had to share the arena with a rather fetching cat. He/she was sashaying about the place. In fact, Buddy was so busy spooking at said cat, he totally forgot about the poles and nearly ended up on his face.

As you can imagine, the cat was totally nonplussed about Buddy.

Many hands

This phrase always makes me think of my Nanna. She was a firm believer in rolling up your sleeves and getting it done. This evening, I did just that as I made a visit to Gingerbreadland. I haven’t been there for a while. And my god, the smell is still heady!

They’d got a big order so I offered to lend a hand. Well two in fact. 4.5 hours later…

I got to help with the Buddy biscuits. Fear not people, I was packing only! They’re not that trusting of my culinary skills. Even I can mess up packing.

Still makes me smile knowing the visitors at Redwings can buy gingerbread biscuit based on Buddy’s head. So cool.