Welcome to blog! I started it in 2020 to chart my recovery from breaking my ankle (hence the name). I guess no-one saw a global pandemic coming. It's turned into a place where I can talk about the things happening in my life, my horse and my cats. Enjoy!
It was our riding club AGM tonight. My first time as a Committee member.
I had the honour of presenting the Martine Holden trophy. It was bought by her family to honour her. I managed to get through the presentation without crying.
The same couldn’t be said when I presented the Horse of the Year trophy to her mare Missy. The tears were flowing then. It’s been an emotional week!
Of course, Buddy is always my horse of the year. And he’s going to be very happy to see this bag of treats I was given.
Well we did it! Today’s show at Carleton Riding Club was in honour of this amazing woman – Martine Holden.
I’ve know Martine for a long time now. She’s one of the few people I actively seek out for advice with Buddy. She’s the reason I wanted to go to BHS camp. Now I’ve lost count of how many I’ve been to. She’s the reason I joined Carleton Riding Club. Now I’m on the committee.
So when we decide to do a fundraiser for the charity of her choice, I jumped at the chance to be play a part. Not sure I realised I would have to walk 6.5 miles though!
It’s been a fabulous day indeed. Seeing everyone in their hi-viz competing was just brilliant. People really embraced the cause and the chance to honour Martine.
There was a lot of love shown for her. I haven’t done the final count yet, but we’re heading towards £2,000 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Martine, you’ll never know how much you’ve done for me. So I will pay it forward and be more Martine…
Back home after a fantastic weekend representing Carleton Riding Club at the BRC Combined Championships.
We’d qualified in the 80cm Senior Team. Now you may remember, we had a bit of a mare at the Qualifiers and got there by default. So I was determined that we would hold our own at the Champs.
This was our second Champs. The first one wasn’t our finest hour. So again, I wanted to show we’re making progress at these big events.
So pleased to report we did! The Team came 10th overall. And we put a score on the board. OK so it was still the discard score but we did good.
Buddy was rather apprehensive and so was I wasn’t sure which Buddy I was going to get. When he had a spook on the way down as someone came out of a port-a-loo, I feared the worst. But after a good warm-up he soon settled and was flying the practise jumps.
Soon it was our turn to go. He was so busy shying at a fence, he took an ages to lock on to number 1. It was a tricky SJ course with 3 planks on a half circle and a bounce!! And lots of twist. I rode him forward with determination and trusted him to jump. And jump he did! We flew round in a fast time and a clear round.
Then it was off onto the XC element. He flew the first two, then had a nappy moment towards 3. I wasn’t having any of it!
We were clear till he slipped coming round the corner and lost impulsion. I know I didn’t ride it well so picked up 10 faults the refusal. Cleared it at the second attempt though. Knowing I’d had a stop, I took my foot off the gas. But he still came home with plenty in the tank!
Absolutely thrilled with my little boy today. It was a huge step up for us and he rose to the occasion. And yes, I burst into tears when we were done.
It’s taken blood, sweat and tears (not to mention the bumps and bruises) to get this result today. Not to mention the training and guidance I’ve received from some amazing trainers. Being away at camp definitely seemed to do the trick.
Now I know he can do it, there are no excuses.
Massive thanks to my wingwoman Sam for chauffeuring us, supporting us and listening to me bang on about how proud I was of Buddy. And to my team mates for making it such a fun weekend. Wonderful to feel so supported by a lovely club.
I know I’m not the best rider and Buddy isn’t the best horse, but today I felt like we were more than good enough to be there.
I’ve had a very horsey day. But not with Buddy. And not riding. It felt rather strange being at Forest Edge without Buddy. He’ll be there for training camps and competitions soon though.
It was lovely to catch up with so many camp friends though.
Today I was driver / groom instead. I still enjoyed myself and learnt lots from watching the lessons. You really do get a different perspective.
This clinic was organised by The British Horse Society. An organisation I’m a member and keen advocate of.
I’m also a member and committee member of Carleton Riding Club. Tonight was our monthly committee meeting. So more horse chat.
I love being part of horse collectives. I’ve met so many people through horses.
Now those of you who know me well, know I love a clipboard. So this afternoon I was in my element with an A3 one!!
I was stewarding at Carleton Riding Club’s last show of 2022. We started behind, but soon caught up time. And even ended early! I feel that I ran a rather tight ship. Thankfully all of the competitors and horses were happy to be yelled at by me. It seems my voice carries across the warm up rather effectively.
Of course, I’d rather be competing. But this was the next best thing today. Well done everyone.
It was Carleton Riding Club’s AGM tonight. I’ve really enjoyed being part of the club this year. I’ve had some great training sessions with them, attended their shows and even represented them in teams and at the Championships.
Seems they have enjoyed having me around too. Tonight I was awarded the ‘Contribution to the Club’ trophy. For supporting, helping out and generally being a good egg.
Such a lovely surprise to be recognised for something I do willingly. I do love to help if I can.
There are many times when I question my life choices. A 4:30am alarm call on a Sunday morning is definitely one of them! Think Buddy was questioning them too when I turned up at stupid o’clock. He looked a little confused to be honest. Breakfast on the Buddymobile made it more appealing.
We were heading off to the Suffolk Equestrian Centre in Bury St Edmunds for RC Arena Eventing. Another new venue for us. And our first time doing Arena Eventing. But not our first time representing Carleton RC.
I wasn’t sure how today was going to go. We haven’t had the best build up if I’m honest. I’d dropped back to 70cm to give Buddy a really confident run. It proved to be the right decision.
After walking the course, I felt really positive about it. There wasn’t anything that I felt would be an issue. But this is Buddy. So anything was on the cards. And there were lots of questions. Including a water splash.
I had to stop watching the early rounds as there were so many eliminations and issues. So I told Buddy we were there to have fun!
He warmed up like a dream. Then when it was our turn, he wasn’t sure about the white barriers or standing in the rain by the ring. In the ring, everything came together! My little boy flew round! Even when he wasn’t sure, he trusted me and stormed round for a clear round, including the 80cm joker fence.
Flew a little bit too much as we were 8 second under the optimum time. Still good enough to take 5th place individually (out of 49) and to help the team take 4th place (out of 12).
To say I came out with tears in my eyes is an understatement. And the biggest smile you can imagine. Days like today are the reward for the hard work, bruises and disappointments.
When it comes together, it’s worth more than gold.
Well today has been one of more firsts. Buddy and I made our debut representing Carleton Riding Club. We were in two teams no less! And first time jumping at Geldeston.
First up was Style Show Jumping. I’m going to be honest here, I’d never heard of Style SJ before. Rarely has the word ‘style’ been used in a complimentary way about my jumping. Well apart from being told I’m an elegant faller… So I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.
To come away with 6th place was a huge surprise. Especially as it was a challenge getting round the course. Buddy wasn’t feeling jumping this morning. Still we jumped all the jumps (not necessarily first time) and we put a score on the board for the team. Thankfully the other members were much more stylish so the team ended up in 3rd place.
Then onto SJ and the 80cm team. I took a jumping whip with me this time and made sure that Buddy was moving off my leg in the warm up. He was a bit shocked when I gave him a little tap. But was soon flying the practise jumps.
A couple of feral moments in the ring with two run outs and a pole down. Disappointed with it but I know I overrode it. Still we started together and finished together, even when I lost a stirrup and had to jump the double without it.
Another regroup before going back into the second round. A bigger and longer track this time. Oh my goodness, Buddy was so much more confidence. I let it flow and we were clear to the last two. Sadly we had them both down. But I was thrilled to finish on a much better note.
So imagine my surprise when I heard our team won! Again, grateful that the other team members were much better riders and all had double clears. We were definitely making up the numbers today (as both our rounds were the discard score). But that’s OK. We did it!
Sadly I’m now sporting a black eye where I head butted a metal corner in the lorry. That’s definitely not a first for me.…
Today I was helping out at the Riding Club Combined Training. I was on the SJ gate. And joy of joys, they gave me a clipboard. 👏🏻
I love a clipboard. And woe betide anyone who underestimates the power of a clipboard. That simple item bring a gravitas and air of authority.
Needless to say, I was a happy bunny keeping track of everyone.
Got back and told Buddy all about it. He was thrilled as you can see. Freeschooled him and had a play session before cooling him off in the sunshine. I’ve warned him that we are off competing soon. 😊
Tales, Tails and Talus 