Day camper

Buddy, Bert and I locked and loaded early doors today to head over to Forest Edge for two lessons. There’s a camp running there, so we went as day campers.

When we arrived, Buddy headed to his stable (no. 3 for the third time this year) and Bert headed to the forest for a runabout.

As the weightbridge was there, I thought I’d pop Buddy on it. He walked straight on and stood patiently. He was so eager, the poor lady wasn’t ready. He was also rather eager for his treat. He knows the deal. He stands to be weighted and he gets rewarded. He also got a rosette for having a perfect body score. He’s now 643kg.

In our jumping lesson, we ended up being demo riders for the other campers to watch and learn. We flew round the course that was laid out. There were lots of new campers so they hadn’t seen us in action before. Several came over afterwards to compliment me on my jumping position, our partnership and how at one we were. That has not always been the case I can assure you.

I do feel that we’re getting better and better. Now we need to recreate it in competitions. Maybe we can start getting some perfect round rosettes too. Who doesn’t love a red one?!

40 winks

Someone is very tired after another full on day at camp. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that both of my kids are very tired. I am too. The sudden heat is rather sapping. Still we’ve all had another good day.

In our flat work lesson this morning, I felt so much straighter in my body after yesterday’s treatment and taping. It’s really puts you in the right position that’s for sure. I noticed a change in Buddy too. He had to work differently to adjust for my new posture. I could really feel the difference. He was much straighter too.

The battery seemed to drain though and he felt like he was getting a little stiff. After last year and his injury, I was a bit concerned. He worked really hard yesterday and I foolishly forgot to give him his electrolytes. That wouldn’t help.

I walked him off in the forest and he felt good. So he got a lunch with lots of electrolytes in it to see if that would help.

He popped on the weight bridge after our lesson. I had 630kg in my head. He was 631kg! And a perfect body score. The nutritionist said he had really good muscle tone too. We got a rosette for being perfect! What a lovely touch.

After taking Bert in the forest for a run. And some lunch for me. It was time for our second lesson – jumping related distances. We built on the quality of canter lesson we had yesterday. I’d mentally prepared myself to stop if Buddy wasn’t feeling it. Well he was well up for it! My new position massively helped as did my softer hands (another learning from yesterday). So happy with him!

I know Buddy is a seasoned pro at camps. Bert has taken to it like a duck to water.

Last day tomorrow. Always bittersweet.

Very Good Friday

Well today has been a very Good Friday. Bert and Buddy both got baths. Bert’s was much needed after he discovered a mini-swamp. Talk about pungent!

Buddy’s was also much needed after he did the wall of death round his field when he saw me putting his tack on the lorry. He was a bit of a sweaty Betty when I got him in, so needed a wash down. Then we headed over to Clarkes Farm for a clinic with the ever wonderful Caroline Meads.

Buddy was on top form. She’s laid out a really fun set of exercises. All working on the quality of the canter. Something I’ve been working really hard to keeping consistent.

As if I hadn’t burned enough calories, I decided to mow the back lawn. It was Bert’s first experience of the lawnmower. He wasn’t sure and there was a lot of ‘shouting’ at it. But he soon got bored and found one of his toys instead.

He’s snoring on the sofa now… Bert’s first Easter has started well. That’s for sure.

Keep learning

Today has been all about learning. First up, Bert graduated from Puppy School. He’s grown so much in those 6 weeks. He’s learned so much too. He got a certificate and rosette. Admittedly, he tried to eat the rosette.

His education will continue next Saturday. As I’ve enrolled him in Puppy College. He really does enjoy it. He drags me in each week.

Then it was Buddy’s turn as we headed over to Mousehold Farm for a lesson with Simon Grieve. It was our first lesson of 2025. Buddy was almost as energetic as Bert had been in his session. Even in the cold conditions. Who ordered snow?! Buddy felt amazing to jump. Seems the time out last year, really has helped him. He feels stronger than ever.

Bert came to his first clinic too. He slept in the cab while I had my lesson. Can’t say I blame him. Though he did get lots of cuddles. He was quite the hit.

It was a very educational day all round…

Bouncy

Buddy and I tackled this exercise today. A bounce to a one stride upright for those who are wondering. A good gymnastic exercise get him back into jumping-mode properly.

He bounced through it like Tigger! Couldn’t fault him. Me on the other hand… a few dodgy lines. My focus for 2025 has to be straightness. I have a naughty habit of cutting the corner.

I kept it nice and small ashes had a bit of time away from these sorts of exercises. Still I’d say it was a very successful session.

Best get us entered for some competitions.

Centre Paws

Bert and I headed over to Centre Paws today for coffee and cake with Michaela. First we went for a little walk. Bert got to meet lots of new dogs as they have a huge dog field. He also had his first ‘pupochino’. One of the other dogs didn’t like it. Bert definitely did!

Then I headed back to pop Buddy over a few jumps. All in all a good last day of 2024.

He’s back

Final day of camp and we saved the best till last. Buddy and I jumped our first course since his injury. And boy did he jump!

Buddy didn’t seem to have gotten the memo that we were meant to be jumping little jumps. He was mister chill till he realised we were jumping. Then he was like an bloody Exocet missile!!

He was tanking round the jumps. Taking me (well rather dragging me) towards them. He’s back that’s for sure!!

I burst into tears after our first round. I know his injury was minor. I know the vet told me that he’d be fine. But I honestly didn’t know if he was going to be happy jumping again.

Judging by how much fun he was having, I’d say I can put any doubts to one side. Now I need to work on both of our fitness and getting the discipline back. He was a bit of a maniac today! So I can foresee a Winter of training ahead. Today he had his fun. We both did. Even with the tears, we both massive smiles on our faces.

Irish

I had the honour of jumping Irish today. Oh my goodness, what a dude. I’ve known him a few years and have always wanted to ride him. So when I got the chance, I eagerly agreed.

He’s an ISH like Buddy. But very different. We had a couple of steering issues. Mostly me forgetting that he’s not Buddy, so doesn’t turn on a sixpence.

Boy did it feel good to be jumping again. It’s true what they say that you don’t realise how much you miss something till you do it again.

Buddy and I will be back to it soon enough. In the meantime, I’m so grateful that people trust me with their horses. Thank you Kim, it means so much.

As if that wasn’t enough horsey excitement, this afternoon I headed over to have foal cuddles with Poppy. She’s a proper sassy pants. Absolutely stunning in the flesh. I’d seen photos of her, but they don’t do her justice. She is going to be a star in the show ring.

What a lovely horsey day indeed! I need a lie down after all the excitement. Oh wait, I’m about to watch England.

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.

Posh mayo

I am a big fan of mayonnaise. I am a big fan of truffle. Put them together and I’m a dribbling mess. My dinner just got a lot posher.

And I certainly earned my dinner tonight. So did Buddy. First lesson of 2024, saw us head over to World Horse Welfare. Simon Grieve had set up some simulated XC exercises. An offset double, jumping on the angle and jumping serpentines. So much fun!

It just goes to show how far we’ve come. Buddy ate up each of the exercises and lines.

I think Simon was a little stunned at how well we jumped. At one point, we got a ‘bloody marvellous’. Me being me, I had to check that his comment was about us – and not the fact the lights had been turned on. Indeed it was at us!

Although we kept the heights low, it felt so great to be back jumping. Guess I better start thinking about competitions for 2024. Maybe we can make our jumping posh too with some clear rounds.