Overcooked

Well Bert was a very tired puppy today. I think he overcooked it yesterday round the XC course. Last night he was asleep by the time I got into my bed. And slept through. Today he was less enthusiastic about things.

He got lots of spaniel love today. So many people wanted cuddles, which he was very happy to provide. He had many spaniel fans cooing at how well behaved he is.

Considering he’s only 7 months, it’s a lot for him to deal with. The shops were much busier today. I made sure he had time out so he didn’t get completely overwhelmed. He got lots of treats from a number of stands. That helped too.

He’s clearly a fan of Henry James as he decided to fall sleep on their stand. The lady there said I could have one of everything in exchange for him!

I also managed to completely embarrass myself in Stubben. When asked if I needed any help, I replied ‘I love your bits’. To a rather attractive chap. Thankfully he saw the funny side of it, as did his colleagues. Apparently I made his day. While I was wishing the floor would open… Trust me to take something innocent and make it sound smutty. It’s a talent.

Crammed

Well it’s a good job that I have a bigger car now! Not sure I would have gotten this much in the Comedy Car.

Bert and I are all packed ready for our next adventure to Badminton Horse Trails. We head off tomorrow and are there till Sunday. I’m very excited about staying for the whole duration.

I feel like I’m taking a lot of stuff. I’m packed for many weather options. Let’s see which one I get! After last week’s camp and soaring temperatures, it’s much cooler this week. So I have t-shirts and hoodies. And a few bits in between.

Luckily, there will be one or two shops there. So if all else fails… I have a short list for me, a little list for Buddy and Bert. I don’t need much. Good job I don’t have a weight limit coming home.

Brown cow

‘How now brown cow’ was the mantra for today’s walk. They’ve moved the cows back onto the fields round the back of my close. Normally I have no issue walking through them. But this was the first time Bert had come across so many. And a rather large bull. So we used it as a training session instead.

I walked Bert up to the cows and away. He barked a few times, so kept it all low key. The cows weren’t the least bit bothered by him. He was very interested in them. I think he thouhght they were big dogs. Though some of the calves were tiny.

The cows soon got bored and moved away after a while. Bert sat patiently and watched them go.

I love the fact I live so close to these cows. It reminds me of listening to the cows lowing at night when I was a kid. I grew up near a cattle market so it was a weekly sound. Such a soothing sound…

Chores

Today has been a day of chores. Well I guess that’s what you do on a Bank Holiday weekend. I’ve still got a ton to do, but I’ve ticked off loads.

As the weather was good, I got the washing pile down considerably. I know I say it after every camp, but my god there’s a lot of washing afterwards. And cleaning too. My tack is filthy. The Buddymobile is filthy. They can wait for another day.

When I finally sat down to take stock, Bert clearly felt he needed some attention too. Either that or he decided that I needed to stop for the day. I’m not complaining, he’s a good cuddler.

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.

Sloppy

I think I might have put too much water in Buddy’s breakfast. It was a bit sloppy. Needless to say I declined post-breakfast kisses.

We all had a very good night. And a very good day today. Apart from a few whimpers when he first went in his crate, Bert slept through. Buddy had a good sleep too judging from the amount of shavings in his tail.

Today we had two lessons – flat & jumping. I’d bought a ‘Soft Tissue Release and Trigger Point Work, with optional kinesiology taping’ session. I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was great. She assessed my position in the saddle. Took lots of videos. Spoke to the instructor. Then released my tight areas. I’ve got tape on my shoulders to help put me in a better position. Be interesting to see how it all affects my riding tomorrow.

Given that this time last year, Buddy was clearly not right and off games, there are so many positives to take from today. And there’s still two more days!

Two kids

Well I’ve made it to our first training camp of 2025. Hurrah! This is the first time I’ve been away with two kids, Buddy and Bert. My god, they need a lot!

The Buddymobile felt a bit cramped with it all. I also needed three lists! And I still forgot the poo bags and toilet roll. It’s much better now Buddy is tucked up in his stable and Bert is tucked up in his crate in the horse area.

I’m tucked up in the living. As much as I love the Buddymobile, it’s definitely time for a bigger lorry! Bert’s arrival means I need more living. Well that’s my excuse! I want a toilet and a fridge too.

So far both kids are behaving very well. Coming to Forest Edge is such a happy place for me. I know Buddy loves it here. And it seems Bert might too after zoomies in the forest. Buddy, on the other hand, had a leisurely walk before the lessons start tomorrow. Bring on the learning…

Can’t handle it

It’s been a while since we had a ‘Pip injured herself’ post. Can’t take full responsibility for his one. My Baby Sprocker had a part to play in it too.

A friend took me to the local pub for lunch. She wanted to say thank you for the support I’d given her recently. Very kind of her. As it was such a beautiful day, we thought we’d eat in the beer garden. Unfortunately, the door opened outwards, so Bert dived out and I caught my hand on the door handle. Right between my fingers. Ouch!

One for me to work on as he does have a habit of diving through doors. This is the second time I’ve caught my hand. But the worst one as it’s blew up immediately.

Sure I’ll live. And didn’t stop me scoffing scampi and chips. Yum! Best break out the arnica…

Resurrection

Well it wasn’t just Christ who was resurrected today. My show jumping ‘career’ with Buddy was too. For the first time since December 2023, we entered a show jumping competition.

It wasn’t pretty. We are VERY rusty (bit of an understatement). Given he had the majority of last year off games, I’m over the moon!

I kept it low by entering the 60cm & 70cm. It wasn’t the triumphant return it could have been. I went with low expectations. I just wanted to see how Buddy reacted.

Sure we had two poles in each round. Sure I couldn’t see a stride for toffee. Sure I rode like a muppet. But we did it and that’s what counts. I know my eye will come in the more we jump. I also know I’ve been a bit lack in our training.

My Baby Sprocker has been winning in those stakes. That is paying off. He came to his first competition. He even jumped a little fence. He got LOTS of fuss. He slept in the lorry while I took Buddy off to compete. Afterwards, he got to watch some of the action. It was all rather exciting to start off with, he soon settled though.

All in all a very good outing…

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.