Terminator

We’re back home after another epic training camp. Epic in so many ways. Bert’s first camp and to be honest, he totally aced it! He waited patiently while I went for my lessons. He made himself comfortable in the Buddymobile. He slept through every night. He had zoomies in the forest and played nicely with the other dogs.

Every time I left him, I told him ‘I’ll be back’. I’m no Arnie, but it did make me giggle. Just call me Terminator.

Buddy aced camp too. Six lessons, massive lightbulbs and huge leaps forward in our training. He feels stronger, straighter and much more rideable since his injury.

The only ‘downside’ was the heat! Talk about from the sublime to the ridiculous. Last year, I didn’t take enough layers. It chucked it down and was freezing. This year, it was like someone had left the oven on…

Very draining for us all. We coped with a heady mix of fluids and electrolytes. I am very tired now. We shall all sleep well tonight.

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.

Poos & poles

First day of camp done. I was on poos and poles duty. So lovely watching everyone progress throughout the day. Seeing confidence boosted by great instructors.

I did have a couple of moments where I wished it had been us. Especially when the jumps went up. It will be before I know it.

I did get to put my bum in a saddle as I took Archie for a little hack to cool him off after his lesson. He’s such a dude!

Cuppage

Cuppage was the word of the day. Bear with, I’ll explain. Two brilliant lessons today. And we stayed dry for the most part.

Flatwork this morning. Working on encouraging Buddy to go rounder. Lots of leg yielding and straightness.

This afternoon, it was jumping. Building on what we’d done in our first lesson.

Really like Emily’s style of teaching. She explained things in a way I could get. Learnt a lot in a short space of time.

Back to cuppage. Emily put a number of jump cups and blocks around the arena to help us to get the right line in and out. When one of us missed it, cuppage was shouted across the arena. Made us all giggle.

We finished off the day with a swim, more food and lots more giggles. There was even more cuppage in the pool. But what happens at camp, stays at camp…

Very happy camper

Back home after another brilliant training camp. 3 nights away, 6 brilliant lessons, 2 great instructors, many wonderful friends, countless laughs and 2 very tired campers.

Well I definitely am. You’d like to think Buddy was too.

Today we finished off our lessons with more course jumping with jumps on angles. And a flat work lesson with no stirrups and counter-canter. It’s a wonder I could drive home!!

It was also a camp tinged with sadness as it could be the last camp for some wonderful horses and inspirational people.

This was my motto of the camp. And by Jove, I did just that! I couldn’t have asked more from
Buddy. He tried his heart out for me. Even with my inept moments.

Thank you to everyone who made it such a special few days.

Less than a month till we’re back there for BIG camp. Eeek!! Best get the washing on….

Frozen

I know I sound like a broken record, but my goodness it was cold today. I had to scrape ice off the inside of my car last night when I left the party. That was interesting sitting in the car park waiting till I could see enough to safely drive.

Today I headed back to WHW Snetterton to watch day 2 of lessons. The fields were frozen but the ponies were very happy munching on the hay.

It was lovely catching up with everyone. It was the same jump floor plan as Buddy and I did yesterday. It was really interesting to see how it rode from the ground.

The downside to being on the ground is that I got very cold (even with multiple layer).

It may have taken a while for my feet to thaw out but it was fun watching everyone.

Burning calories

Back home after another fab BHS Clinic at Forest Edge. One night in the lorry, two lessons with Jo Winfield and lots of lightbulb moments.

It was blissfully quiet and relaxed. I’m so glad we decided to stay last night. Buddy had a very good night judging by the amount of shavings on his rug. I had a cozy night too. I love sleeping in my little lorry.

We both worked hard in our lessons today. Buddy had to work even harder in our jumping lesson with some bending lines. We were also working on the quality of his canter between jumps. He was ravenous afterwards. He burnt a lot of calories it seems.

Be still

Second day of lessons and it’s getting better and better.

Flat this morning and poles this afternoon. The theme of today was very much about being less busy with my aids.

Some really interesting techniques to try and while it blew my brain to start off with, it had incredible results. The word transformational was used!! And we got some fantastic feedback about the progress we’ve made in the past two years.

I brought the chair massage pad with me. Boy was that good! And much needed after 4 intense lessons.

Hungry stuff

Day 2 of camp. Or Day 1 of lessons. It’s been brilliant. Course jumping this morning and XC this afternoon.

Buddy was definitely up for it! Lots of comments on how well he’s looking and how fit he is. Bit too fit as we flew around XC a tad fast at times.

Still we started together and finished together.

He also got weighed today. He’s now 651kg. The lady from Spillers wanted to take him home with her. 😊

It’s hungry stuff this camp lark. Buddy is loving the clover up the hill.

Keep moving

When you’re dancing around the garden and you accidentally take a photo. 🤦🏻‍♀️

After a dressage lesson last night, a show jumping lesson this morning and a few hours in the garden, it’s a bit of a surprise I’ve got the energy to dance around. Music really does get me moving though. It’s been ages since I had a good dance.

Takes me back to my clubbing days…