Grey hairs

Buddy needs to start using Grecian 2000! I spotted two grey hairs in his mane today. Or is this payback from the grey hairs he’s given me over the years?

It was a bit of a hairy one today as the wind was whipping around today. So we did a spot of indoor hacking instead.

I was feeling a little bit unsettled this morning. It wasn’t just the rain and the wind. While I was getting things ready for camp, it struck me that the last time I was away at a training camp was when I found out that Martine and my friend’s Dad had died. No wonder I was feeling a bit unsettled?! Big reframe needed there. Martine loved her camps too. So I’m going to ‘be more Martine’ next week.

Honestly the brain is a funny old thing. The weird and wonderful connections it makes. Good job I have the tools to handle it. Well most of the time.

Dancing shoes

Well that’s a wrap! 3 long days of commentating at the Petplan Area Festival at Forest Edge. Not a clue how many combinations I introduced over the 3 days. There were some very challenging names to get my tongue around. Only had to apologise a few times for the appalling pronunciation. If you ever have to write a bio for a show and you have a complex name (or your horse does), do a girl a favour and give some notes. It really helps!

There were some beautifully, heartfelt bios to read out too. It was so clear the amount of love and joy these horses bring.

Once more I was amazed at the feats these creatures can perform. The trust they have in their riders. And it was wonderful to see so many riders and horses smiling over the days. It was clear that so many of the partnerships on display loved dancing together.

Dressage training has been very much under the spotlight recently. And there are some abhorrent practises out there. Over the past 3 days, I’ve seen the result that effective, sympathetic and consistent training can deliver. Without fail, every rider patted their horse at the end of the test. Regardless of how the test had gone.

I came away feeling very enlightened. I now understand so much more behind the judge’s comments on my dressage sheets. I also came away rather inspired. So I’ve set myself a goal. To do a Novice dressage test in 2024. I might come last, but for me it’s definitely about the journey, pushing my comfort zone and making memories with Buddy Boy.

Well if he’s still speaking to me after not seeing him for a whole week!! Might need to wait a little bit before I tell him we’re in dressage training. He probably thinks he’s retired…

Breakfast of champs

Back for Day 2 for the Petplan Area Festival at Forest Edge. A very long day today. A mere 11 hours of announcing combinations today.

One of the wonderful things about spending the day at Forest Edge, is the catering. It’s definitely plus point when I head there for camps. I never go hungry. It’s the only time I have a full English every day. Well one does tend to burn a few calories! I wasn’t burning that many calories today, but couldn’t resist a sausage bap to start the day.

I’m a simple creature really. I love anyone who feeds me.

Love enduring

I saw this painting at the hospital today. It was called love enduring. It made me smile. But then horses have been making me smile for most of my life.

It was much needed. Mum has really gone downhill since I last saw her. All prayers and healing vibes gratefully received right now.

Marmite

Anyone else’s cat like marmite crisps?! The kittens go mad whenever I open a packet. I get mugged for them.

I’m a huge fan of all things marmite. I know it’s not everyone’s thing. But it’s very much mine. Nothing like marmite on toast to make the world feel a better place. And let’s face it, we can do with that right now.

It’s been a tough week with one thing and another. So I finished it with a bit of time with my best Buddy. He definitely makes my world better.

Forest dweller

The Buddymobile had its first outing of 2024. Buddy and I headed over to Thetford Forest to meet up with Vicky Harris and her gorgeous baby boy, Roo.

Buddy can be quite the calming influence. Roo definitely seemed very chilled in his company. I think a new bromance has been formed.

It was lovely to take Buddy somewhere new too. I could have ridden round for hours. So lucky to be able to get out and about. And it was relatively dry under hoof! Though it seems Buddy brought a lot of mud with him as I failed to groom my horse properly. Epic groom fail there! Buddy was very happy to embrace his bog monster breeding.

Vicky brought some soup for lunch as well. Now I love anyone who feeds me. So Broccoli and Stilton soup went down a treat when we got back.

All in all a wonderful day.

Baby Jesus

I got to spend a lot of time having cuddles with this rather cute baby today. Well Christmas is about baby Jesus. So kinda fitting.

Who am I kidding?! Christmas is about eating lots, presents and spending it with the people you love. I got to spend most of it with 11 dogs. Definitely got my puppy fix.

Merry Christmas one and all! I hope you’ve had a good one. I have a full belly and a full heart. And that’s not just the Christmas spirit talking.

Bee happy

I bought some new tea towels a while back but had used them yet. Today I got this one out. Isn’t it lovely?

I love bees. It’s wonderful watching them buzz around my garden. They’re so industrious. Always on a mission or so it seems.

Bit like me today. I definitely clocked up done laptop hours today. I’m a week out from the big conference I’m supporting. So lots and lots of admin to be done. Good job I love a spreadsheet. I think I had 8 open today at one point. Lot of briefing calls too.

I’ve been a busy bee today. And if it all goes to plan, my clients will bee very happy too.

KitKats

I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. But I do love a KitKat. They’re in my Top 3 chocolate bars (after Double Decker and Twirl). So imagine my joy when I went for a meeting with one of my clients and not only did we have KitKats with our coffee, she gave me these bad boys!

It’s a bit of an in-joke as we categorise issues in number of KitKats it will take to solve. I’m very tempted to recommend this system to the UN. Pretty sure it could take off.

Cover boy

Well that’s the first camp of 2023 done! And what a cracking camp it was. I’m shattered, but a really good shattered. Buddy still had energy to run round his field.

Maybe he had a sleep on the way back. It’s not like he didn’t do lots today. This morning it was course jumping. We got to practice dog legs too.

Sadly one of the ladies in our group had a fall, so we left the arena early. I’d untacked Buddy when I got a call telling me to go back in the arena to ride the entire course. I’d missed out as I was last to go, after the lady who fell.

Very quick tack up and back we headed. Buddy was a little confused. It’s a good job we’re used to competing. Quick warm up and off we went round the course.

After lunch, we had our final flat work lesson. This time it was no stirrups – in walk, trot and canter! Then canter serpentines with simple changes. Finally we had a go at flying changes. It’s amazing how far we’ve come with our flat work. Shows that hard work pays off.

All in all a very successful camp. I came way with more knowledge, exercises to try and a photo!

Now we know I love a photo. But I bloody LOVE this photo. Wonderful thing is that I didn’t know she was taking it. The photos from our shoot are just stunning.

But that’s for another day. As is the camp washing! Is it bed time?!