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!
I’ve seen a lot of XC courses with astroturf jumps on them. So I pimped one of my jumps today. Doesn’t it look great?
I put it in the arena along with a mix of SJ and XC style jumps and popped Buddy round them.
He did jumped the astroturf jump but I could tell he wasn’t reading it right. We had a couple of stops at it. And a glorious stag leap. So I made a few adjustments and put some poles across it to help him.
Think I might need some white battons on it. Still really pleased with my DIY jumps. Anyone else look at objects and think what kind of jump they’d make..?!
We did it! It wasn’t pretty and we had 4 poles but we completed our first round of show jumping at Hickstead. I’m rather emotional to be honest. I’ve wanted to do that since I was a 5-year old horse mad little girl!
Then I didn’t have a horse, a pony or any idea who I would make it happen. But when you have a dream…
One of the fences I had down was the Hickstead planks. The one fence I wanted a photo over. Thankfully fence 1 also contained a plank so I’ve got my photo. Buddy was such a good boy. It was a very buzzy ring with so much to look at. He held it all together and stormed round. A little too fast at times – hence the poles.
I am one very happy, tired, slightly overly emotional Pip. Dreams really do come true.
Buddy and I headed over to the Showground for a spot of showjumping today. I left the yard and it didn’t feel too hot. I was wrong. It was baking by the time we arrived.
Tacked Buddy up and headed to walk the 70cm course. Thankfully someone was able to hold him for me. It walked well so headed to the warm up. It was a bit of a different set up. There was a very small warm up next to the ring. They were only letting 4 horses at a time in there, so we used the bigger warm up away from the ring.
Buddy managed to trip a few times on the uneven ground so I kept the jumping to a minimum. Soon it was our turn the go to the proper warm up and Buddy was feeling good.
Slight blip when a woman decided to walk her inhand pony and two children through the warm up. Madness! Buddy was not happy about that either. It was such a small area and people jumping – it was downright dangerous.
The warm up ring can be like going into battle at the best of times.
I brushed it off and entered the ring. It was single phase and we went double clear in a really fast time. Took a few ‘eventer’ lines and Buddy was on it! He ate up the ground.
He was so sweaty by the time we’d finished, I thought I’d take him back to the lorry and wash him off while I waited for the next class. I’m so lucky that Buddy is so easy when we go out.
Wandering back to the ring, I arrived as the last rider was finishing. Imagine my surprise when they announced we’d come second! So happy.
Walked the 80cm and went back to tack Buddy up again. I nearly blinded myself as I had so much sweat running in my eyes. My god, sweat stings! I was a dribbly mess by the time I was done. I couldn’t get my gloves on as my hands were so wet. Classy huh?!
By the time we got back to the warm up, Buddy was feeling as hot and bothered as I was. Neither of us was at our best in the 80cm round. I messed up some of the line and it was a very twisty course. Final result was 16 faults.
I was disappointed as I know we could do so much better. But we started together, finished together and sweated even more together!
Today Buddy and I headed off to Geldeston for the BRC SJ Qualifiers.
After making the Champs last year by turning up (when the rest of the team were amazing), I was determined to do better this year. We’ve been working so hard on our jumping and are definitely seeing improvements.
On arrival, I heard the ground was hard, slippery and causing some issues. Walked the course and it felt firm but there was still a bit of spring in it. It seemed a really nice course. This team competition is run over two rounds. The first round was 80cm. The second one at 85cm and had 4 more jumps. I was feeling confident as we warmed up.
My confidence was well founded. Buddy stormed round the course for a super clear. I brought him back to trot for the bit that seemed the most slippy. Came out with a huge smile.
Then the day took a sad turn when one of my team mates had a nasty fall. The competitions were suspended while we waited for first an ambulance, then the air ambulance.
With Buddy safely back at the Buddymobile and munching away, I went back to check on her. I sat with her for over an hours stroking her hair and doing my best to keep her calm. She was in a lot of pain.
Thankfully when the air ambulance arrived, they gave her serious sedation so she could be transported. We did feel that it was a bit ironic when as a riding club we are raising money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. This is why!
After she was safely on her way to the N&N, the competition recommenced. I wanted to do the second round. I felt I had to. So warmed Buddy up again. There had been a number of withdrawals so didn’t have too much time to think about it before it was our turn.
It wasn’t the best round we’ve ever done. Halfway round, the previous 1.5 hours hit me. Buddy had switched off a bit in the break too and I know I didn’t ride very well. I burst into tears as I left the Arena.
Christ knows how but, we ended up with 6th place individually.
We all know the risk we take when we ride a horse. The love, enjoyment and partnership built outweighs that risk. But days like today remind me how it can go. So I’m focusing on the wonderful clear round we had, the camaraderie shown and the amazing support from our emergency services.
After yesterday’s impromptu hack, today I took advantage of a withdrawal for a spot of impromptu show jumping at Carleton Riding Club’s show.
I was wondering if it would be too much for Buddy after camp. And with the very muggy weather today. But he handled the heat better than I did that’s for sure.
I made sure he was well watered. Me, not so much. I was too busy rushing around. Arrived early to help out the jumps out. Ended up stewarding for the first two classes before heading back to the lorry to get Buddy ready for our class.
I’d got him in the 70cm and 80cm. He’d jumped so well at camp, I wanted to test it in a competition environment.
My first challenge was getting my competition gear on. I was dripping from the humidity so had to peel my jeans off and my riding tights were sticking to me. Then my hair decided that it wasn’t going to go in a bun and kept escaping. So I scrapped the hairnet.
As it was hot, I decided to forgo Buddy’s SJ boots and ears. Mr Nappy Pants made a couple of appearances, but was dealt with quickly. For the most part, he flew round the 70cm. We had a fence at the beginning of the timed section, so I pushed him on for a fast 4-faults.
It was a good strategy, as we got the fastest 4-faults. So picked up 3rd place.
After a bucket of water for Buddy and a new course for me to walk and learn, it was time for the 80cm. Oh and I put on his ears and SJ boots for good measure. Not our best round as we had two down but another good time.
Overall, I was really happy with Buddy today. They were both twisty courses and he proved again he can handle the turns. And even though he had his little wobbles, he jumped everything I asked him to. Just need to work on keeping them all up now.
Buddy is so easy to take out. He stands on the lorry patiently waiting for his turn. He plays nicely with others in the warm up. There’s a lot to be said for that. He also acted like a brat waiting for his recovery mash and threw the bucket across the car park when it was empty.
Spotted these beautiful poppies across from the lorry this morning. What a glorious sight to bring start the day.
Two brilliant lessons today. First up a play on the XC course. Buddy was full of beans but jumped everything I asked of him. Really pleased with him.
After lunch, it was course jumping. Again, Buddy was up for it. He felt so balanced. We even got complemented on the quality of our canter. Something that rarely happens.
Buddy can be a bit of a mixed bag. When it’s good, my goodness it’s good. Today was very, very good.
Took Buddy down to the Hall today for their clear round SJ. I put him in the 80cm and 90cm as he’s been jumping so well lately. It was his first 90cm course in a competition-like setting, so thought I’d see what he made of it.
Once he’d gotten over his dislike of the bright pink pig fillers, he ate up the jumps. Frustrating cause it’s not like he doesn’t jump pig fillers we have at home. But they are a different shade of pink, so guessing I need to up the pink-factor.
No clears, but I went with the aim of having fun and using it as an educational round. Big ticks there! He made 90cm feel small. He’s getting stronger and stronger (in a good way).
Just need to recreate it in competitions now. Buddy loves his post wash down roll too. Thankfully he was more elegant jumping the jumps.
This was my office for the day. Stewarding the SJ at Blackwater Farm’s ODE.
I was in heaven! Not only did I have a clipboard, I had a radio too! I didn’t get a hi-viz as apparently I wasn’t a hazard. Clearly they don’t know me well enough….
I got nearly 120 competitors into the ring for their rounds. And ran a very tight ship (the SJ Judge’s words not mine). She was thrilled with how smoothly it ran. It was lovely watching everyone in action.
Obviously I’d prefer to be competing. But without volunteers, these events can’t run. So if you fancy a fun day out, go and volunteer at one. You don’t need to be horsey. All you need is a willingness to learn, a good sense of humour and a strong bladder helps. Oh and you get fed! Winner!!
I’ve been fortunate to compete regularly. So this was my mesh of giving back and ‘paying it forward’.
Took Buddy to Carleton Riding Club’s first show of 2023. It was a beautiful morning as I sat having breakfast in the conservatory. Fast forward a few hours and it started to rain as I loaded Buddy. The closer I got to Easton, the heavier the rain got.
Tacked Buddy up and my thinking was do the course walk, then ride him in. They’d sensibly delayed the start of the class till after the emergency test thing. Went to check and once more, I’d missed the course walk.
Cracked on instead. Poor Buddy was soaked and so was I before we’d even jumped a fence!
Soon it was our turn. Entered the ring, only for the commentator to call out the wrong name. Quick trip to the box to sort it out and we were off. Super pleased with Buddy. He stormed round the 70cm. I’d seen a few fences causing issues in the 60cm so was mindful. Would have had a faster time too. We had a bit of a stag leap over the second to last fence. It meant I landed in a heap and had to get my knitting back before heading to the final jump. Still thrilled with a clear round and 4th place.
Then it was time for 80cm. Hallelujah, I walked the course this time!! It was a very twisty course, but looked easily doable. Popped Buddy over a couple of fences and he felt really good.
I got a big Gung-ho and pushed him out of his rhythm a few times. So even though we had a fast time, we had 3 down. Still I don’t care as he didn’t refuse and was definitely up for it today.
I’ve been playing around with my stirrup length and have found that just by putting them down one hole, it’s made a massive difference to the way I ride. I can now really get my leg on him before a fence.
I may have been rather moist and had to peel my riding tights off. But I’m a very happy girl today. Oh and my new show jacket is lush!!
Buckle up people, this could be a long one. Buddy and I headed over to Blackwater for a spot of SJ as it was Carousel’s show. I’d entered the 70cm and 80cm – all good training for the Champs.
It struck me as I was driving there. Buddy has only ever jumped in the grass ring as part of an ODE. So doing two rounds in that ring would be a new thing for him. My aim was to have fun and see how it went. It’s only our second jumping competition of the year.
Buddy warmed up slightly feral. His allergies are back so he was throwing his head around a bit and tanking off round the collecting ring. Still he was flying the practise jump and felt really good.
Not sure how, but I managed to miss the course walk again. I think I was tacking up. It’s definitely one for me to work on. It was another twisty turny course with some interesting lines. But seemed to be riding OK.
Soon it was our turn and we entered – me determined, Buddy anxious. Tried my best to stay calm and keep him the same. Positive Pip was in full force as I coached him the entire way round. Still I got a few more fans who commented on how wonderful it was to hear me chatting away to him in such a positive manner. Even when it didn’t go to plan.
We ended up on 16 faults. But to be honest, I was thrilled to make it round the whole course!!
Bit of a breather till the 80cm. Buddy was in heaven being able to munch on the lush grass.
Eventually we headed back for the next class. This time, I’d had a serious word with myself. And Bartholomew, my chimp who’d come out to play. He was firmly put back in his box. And it seemed that a bit of grass and Buddy was much more willing to listen to me. He warmed up nicely this time.
We popped one last practice jump before we headed into the ring. I didn’t realise someone had put it up to 90cm! So we were both a little surprised when we came round the corner.
In the ring, it was a much calmer and fluid affair. I brought Buddy back to trot when needed as I’d decided to go for a slow and steady round. Imagine my surprise when we finished with a clear round!
There were only two clear rounds in the class. And the other one was by a 5* eventer on a young horse. I’ll take that any day!!
Can’t tell you how chuffed I am. Buddy isn’t the easiest horse to ride. And I’m not the best rider. But today it came together in a wonderful way.
Tales, Tails and Talus 