Day camper

Buddy, Bert and I locked and loaded early doors today to head over to Forest Edge for two lessons. There’s a camp running there, so we went as day campers.

When we arrived, Buddy headed to his stable (no. 3 for the third time this year) and Bert headed to the forest for a runabout.

As the weightbridge was there, I thought I’d pop Buddy on it. He walked straight on and stood patiently. He was so eager, the poor lady wasn’t ready. He was also rather eager for his treat. He knows the deal. He stands to be weighted and he gets rewarded. He also got a rosette for having a perfect body score. He’s now 643kg.

In our jumping lesson, we ended up being demo riders for the other campers to watch and learn. We flew round the course that was laid out. There were lots of new campers so they hadn’t seen us in action before. Several came over afterwards to compliment me on my jumping position, our partnership and how at one we were. That has not always been the case I can assure you.

I do feel that we’re getting better and better. Now we need to recreate it in competitions. Maybe we can start getting some perfect round rosettes too. Who doesn’t love a red one?!

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.

Spaniel mode

Bert had a puppy play date with another spaniel today. She’s a working cocker like his Dad. She’s soooo pretty and an exceptionally well trained gundog.

We went for a walk round the fields and let them go ‘truffle hunting’ in a local copse. Bert had so much fun. Spaniel mode was definitely activated.

Not sure I should be trusted with two spaniels. I got lots of spangle tips.

Antenna

OK so I might have to admit that my symptoms might be more than emotional stuff. I woke up at 4am shivering and sweating in equal measures. Sure sign I am with cold! By 7am I had to admit defeat, cancelled my morning plans and very slowly crawled through the day.

I had a very gentle walk with Bert. Thankfully he got up have a runaround to burn off the energy. Mucking out seemed to be a slow process. I had to stop for a breather getting the straw down. Whatever this is, I am with snot and phlegm. Delightful.

As I finished up, I notice this single bit of straw standing tall. It looked a bit like an antenna. Or a lightning bolt. Even with snot, I still have an active imagination.

Normal service will be resumed shortly no doubt.

Ashes to ashes

We scattered my Mum’s ashes today. Her last wish was to be scattered in Golders Green Crematorium. Alongside her Dad, Mum, Brother and Son.

It’s a beautiful place. So peaceful given it’s in London. It was my first visit as I wasn’t there when the others were scattered.

I feel like I had the chance to say my final goodbyes to those already there. As well as to my Mum.

Afterwards, we headed to Sunny Hill to have some lunch and give Bert a runaround. It was aptly named that’s for sure! He loved meeting his Grandad and his cousins.

On the way back, I stopped at Thetford Forest so Bert could have a leg stretch. I must admit I needed one too after a lot of driving. It’s been a long, lovely day…

Cocker

Bert is a sprocker. So has working cocker in his breeding. But today he added a different type of cocker to his repertoire. He cocked his leg for the first time today on our walk this morning.

This afternoon, we popped into the vets today for his wormer and flea treatment. He now weighs in at 11.7kg. He got lots of cuddles and fuss there too. He really goes love going to the vets.

On the way back, I took him to the Brundall Countryside Park so he could have a runabout. It was his first time there. I have no doubt that it won’t be his last…

Gallop strip

I was peopling again today, so I promised Bert a good run when we were finished. So I took him out on the gallop strip for the first time. We walked down it and came back on the outside. I say we walked. I walked in a straight line down and up. Bert did the classic Spaniel zig zag. Flitting here and there, back and forth. He definitely did more steps than me.

They’d freshly ploughed one of the fields. He thought that was the best thing ever. Happily running along the margins. Zig zagging away.

Thankfully when I take Buddy on the gallop strip, it’s less zig zag and more speed demon. Though he has been known to zig and zag too!

Back again

After a very long time, today saw our return to Blickling. Honestly, it’s been months since we were last there. It was also Bert’s first visit! It was so good to catch up with Katie and Archie too. We talked the whole way round.

It was glorious weather too. This photo made me laugh, it looks like Archie and Buddy have had words.

Having ridden for nearly 1.5 hours, I took Bert for a run around. We had our first recall fail when Bert decided that another spaniel was far more fun than Mummy. Thankfully, said spaniel was very happy to play and the owners were incredibly understanding. They said they remembered those moments well.

There were lots of positives though. Bert waited in the lorry while I rode. He ignored several other dogs. And he did come back after he’d played. He clearly has the same love of Blickling that I have…

Tousled

I hadn’t realised quite how windy it was today until Buddy and I got out on the tracks. It took my breath away!

Buddy was rocking the tousled look. It was really mild too.

But of a head wind as we went up the gallop strip. Not enough to slow Buddy down. Though it did make seeing where we were going a bit of a challenge. Thankfully it’s a straight run. The perfect way to end the week…

When Buddy met Bert

You’ve heard of ‘When Harry met Sally’, well today it was ‘When Buddy met Bert’.

It was a big day for Bert. First he got to run round the garden without the lead. I finished puppy-proofing the garden this morning for him. He was very happy to be ‘free’. Took the opportunity to start working on recall too.

Then this afternoon, he came to the yard with me for the first time. He stayed in the car while I mucked out and poo picked. He was such a good boy. Finally it was time to come out and meet his rather big brother.

Buddy was so gentle with him. Bert was his usual bold self and gave Buddy a good sniff. He wasn’t the least bit phased by the horses. He was so squirmy, I could barely hold him.

There are new members of the Bert Fan Club as everyone was cooing over him. He’s such a cutie!