Tag: photo

Poster boy

Bert is fast becoming a huge hit at Black Barn Farm. He was there twice on Friday and we were back again today. When we arrived, they brought out a water bowl and treats for him. The owner came to say hello. As did a few of the stall holders. And most of the staff.

They all said they’d seen him on Friday and wanted to say how handsome he is. And how well behaved he is. The lady who runs the Quirky Art stall asked if she could take photos of him before we left. She wanted to draw him and add him to her card collection. What an honour!

When we left there, we popped into the vets to get him weighted and pick up his wormer. He practically dragged me in! We saw the vet nurse who got to know him when he was attending the Puppy Pre-School. She definitely has a soft spot for him. She asked if she could borrow him and took him round to meet all the other staff.

I said he needed to be the poster boy for their Pre-School. Bert loves going to the vets, out for coffee and lunch. He such a social butterfly.

Watched

It’s been rather weird being in my parents house today. I’ve spent many days here on my own. After all, we moved here when I was 4 years old. Today it felt different. Understandably.

But I was being watched. Literally. This photo of my Mum sits on top of the display cabinet. It was a professional photo she’d had taken when she was 21 and had just had her VERY long hair cut short. It’s always been favourite photo for me. Today it brought me comfort.

As did the photos around the house. She looked so vibrant and full of life. The past 5 years have been very tough. Many of you have been on the ‘Parental Rollercoaster’ with me over that time. They’ve both had more than their fair share of medical issues. I’ve seen the inside of far too many hospital wards. I used to joke with my Mum that she didn’t get a prize for ticking them all off! Or frequent NHS flyer point. She definitely wracked up a few! They both have.

Hopefully, I’ve seen the last ward for a while as my Dad was discharged and is now back home…

Prizes

I entered a photo of Buddy into a competition last year. It won! It was of Buddy doing his best ‘Pat Butcher’ impression.

Today the prizes arrived. A new saddle pad for Buddy and a snood for me. I’m sure Buddy will be thrilled. I know I will be when I wear my snood. I’m a big fan of a snood.

In fact, I’m a big fan of the word snood. It’s so descriptive and vague all at the same time. Makes you wonder where it came from.

Burgers

When you’re both having a rubbish time, burgers are good medicine. And chatting non-stop too. Anni and I headed to Zak’s tonight for a birthday / Christmas / long overdue meal.

That and they were doing 2 for 1 on burgers. Who doesn’t love a bargain burger?!

As we left, we were going to do a selfie by the Christmas tree. A lady smoker offered to take one for us. Very kind of her. Though on this occasion, it was a little bit when the kindness of strangers goes wrong. The spotlight behind her meant her shadow was projected onto us like some hidden monster. Made us both laugh when we saw it.

Another funny memory to add to the collection. And right now we both need a good laugh. Job well done lady smoker.

Photo fail

I thought I’d try and take an arty photo of our boys in the forest. Ended up perfectly framing Katie between Buddy’s ears.

Couldn’t help smile. Well smile even more. It felt good to be back in the forest ready for another training camp.

Of course I might regret that statement after sweating my backside off tomorrow. I packed so many extra clothes. Unlike last time, it’ll be for sweating rather than shivering.

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?!

Snapshot

I’m a big fan of a cracking photo. Especially one of Buddy in full flight. I’ve bought one or two (hundred) over the years. There’s a reason.

I don’t have many photos of my first horse Mac. In fact I only have a handful. And no footage. I had him in a time where we didn’t record every minutia of our lives. Some may say it was a simpler life. We lived with the jeopardy of sending a roll of film away to be developed. You could get a masterpiece. More likely you’d get a packet of blurry images. We were busy making memories to think about recording it.

So when I bought Murphy, I said I was going to document our journey together. I’m grateful to have professional photos of my horses. And videos too.

When I’m feeling down, I sit and relive the memories we’ve made together. When I’m struggling to see my achievement, I look at the Wall of Fame and I remember I can achieve anything I put my mind to.

So I had to buy this photo from Sunday’s clinic. I really need to work on my jumping face…

Photo proof

I was a bit wrung out today after yesterday’s event. Spent the morning cleaning out the lorry, doing the washing (mostly his) and getting ready to head off to a training camp tomorrow. Found his XC boots, so they are now back where they live.

I’ve had a chance to process the goings on yesterday. Let’s face it there was a lot to process. I’m getting my head round it now. I’ve seen that most people in my section had dressage scores in the 40s. So I don’t feel quite as bad about it. Still don’t feel it was a fair score for our test, but can’t change it now.

The rest I can work on. I know where we can improve. There were improvements on last time. We stepped up a level. It’s not going to go right straightaway.

And I did get a lovely photo. Always a bonus. Another one for the wall of fame. To remind me we can still achieve things, even in the face of adversity, the deck stacked against us and the blistering heat.

Think Buddy is good with the height. Just needs to pick his feet up. 😂 Is it me or does 80cm look tiny?!