Tag: Irish sports horse

Progression

Day 2 of camp and another brilliant day. In fact the whole camp was bloody brilliant! Yes, I’m a little overtired and emotional. Let’s just say we will both sleep well tonight.

Two brilliant lessons today. Out on the XC course this morning. Buddy was flying! He’s definitely got the hang of running and jumping. 👏🏻

We jumped 80s and 90s today. And a few we hadn’t jumped before. Got ‘save of the day’ too. I was not coming off. Especially in the water!!

This afternoon we finished with grids. I bloody love grids! So does Buddy it seems.

I’m over the moon with the progress we’ve made in the past few years. We’ve come a long way since our first camp.

It was also brilliant catching up with everyone. And meeting new people. Till the next time…

Numbers game

Day 1 of camp down and lots to report. Two brilliant lessons (poles this morning and course jumping this afternoon). One new saddle pad (it was on sale!!). And zero falls. Now that’s what I call a very good day.

Weather-wise it was a game of two halves. This morning was awful with heavy showers. This afternoon saw glorious sunshine.

Round 2 of Newmarket Salt therapy was good too. Buddy spent more time by the nozzle this time. He seems so chilled out with life today.

Fingers crossed he stays like that tomorrow when we head out to XC.

Shiny boy

Someone was looking super handsome after his bubble bath today. Admittedly he acted like I was drowning him during it. He does make me laugh. He hates having his face washed. Is that a gelding thing?! I’ve had several the same.

His mane looks so much better after a spot of Head & Shoulders. It really does the trick.

Beautifying

After being away last weekend and a busy week, I needed some Buddy time. Took him out for a long hack this afternoon. Being out in nature with my boy feeds my soul more than anything else. I know I’ve said it before, but I really do live in a beautiful part of the world.

I did my best to make my tiny bit of the world beautiful too. I spent most of the day in the garden. I mowed both lawns. They’d both gone a bit bonkers with all the rain. It was tough going, but always looks so much better when it’s done.

Among the fields of barley

Yes I did sing the song. It’s been a week since we last hacked out and so much has changed. The barley is golden brown and the maize has tripled in size. It’ll soon be taller than us (and full of monsters no doubt).

It was still really hot even though we didn’t head out till after 6pm. After a busy day, it was just what I needed. It’s hard not to smile. Stunning vistas made better through Buddy’s ears.

Success

Well that’s another BHS Camp over. This one was our 4th together and I have to say, our best to date. I couldn’t fault Buddy over the past few days. He was quite the pro!

It feels like a lot of things have clicked this week. Every lesson we learnt something new. Every lesson we improved. Every lesson we rocked it.

We came 4th in the dressage! I have to admit, that really surprised me as I was first to go and thought I wasn’t our best.

On to the jumping and unfortunately had the last down. My fault. I held when I should have pushed. But I did get told I got a 10 for my position and actually sitting on my bum! Something I’ve really been working on.

The biggest shock though was to get a Special Award from the instructors. They all felt our improvement needed to be recognised.

Yes, I cried. It means so much to get that validation. Especially from such incredible instructors.

I’m still on a high! I’m also shattered! We will both sleep well tonight.

Camp life again

What a wonderful way to start our latest camp. A hack round the forest with Maria and Sky followed by lunch and puppy cuddles.

Camp officially started this afternoon. I’m stuffed after the welcome BBQ. First lessons tomorrow. Excited to be back.

Evening sun

This evening I decided to lunge Buddy in his field. It was such a lovely evening. He was a little bit confused to start off with. Soon got the idea. He’s looking so well and shiny at the moment. It’s lovely to see.

Now on the sofa watching the England match.

Lucinda

For a very, very long time, I’ve had a dream to have a lesson with my eventing heroine, Lucinda Green. Today that dream came true!!!

It was utterly brilliant. I learnt so much. My god it was hard work! She doesn’t take any prisioners!!

After yesterday’s cool temperatures, today was roasting. Totally got my layering wrong. Buddy and I were both sweaty messes by the end of the 2 hours.

It was full on from start to finish. Some incredibly technical XC-style jumps in the gorgeous arena in Newmarket.

I may have overheated a little. Bit like my lorry on the way there. 🤦🏻‍♀️Grateful for a friendly lorry driver who came to our aid. Thank god for sign language as he didn’t speak English.

Still we got there and back in one piece.