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!
Well today’s show jumping was definitely a tale of two halves. We headed to Easton for Carlton Riding Club’s show. It was more like an eventer trail today and quite a testing track. Buddy seemed up for it in the warm up so I thought we were in for a good round. I’d entered the 70 and 80 as he’s been jumping so well recently.
He was flying till we reached number 8. When suddenly I was flying solo. Landed on the wing and got myself a bit tangled in the poles.
It’s never good when you have to walk out of the arena. But still we were both OK. It’s also never good when the photographer tells you she got a great sequence of my fall. 🤦🏻♀️
Quick regroup in the warm up where he felt OK. Decided to drop the 80 and ask if I could go round the 70 again HC instead.
After some pointers from Lewis, we entered the ring again. And this time made it round with 8 faults (4 of which were definitely my fault). 👏🏻
He jumped everything. Including a triple, a house and lots of XC style jumps.
Overall, I’m looking at the positives. I guess I just need to think HC every time. I know I get a bit competitive sometimes.
Bruises and grazes heal. One day I know it will all come together again. Till then, we’ll just have to keep trying.
Well it’s been a while since Buddy was sweatier after a lesson than me! First trip for Buddy over to Neric Equestrian for a jumping lesson with Lewis.
Bit of a dodgy start after Buddy took exception to the ponies behind the trees. Once we’d worked through that (and burnt off the excess energy someone had), we worked really nicely and jumped everything asked.
Jumping really is my favourite thing to do.
Good job Buddy’s next clip is booked in. It’s still so mild. It’s November, right?!
Today we headed to Easton College for Carlton Riding Club’s Pink Show for Big C. For lots of reasons, we haven’t been out competing recently and it showed. We were a bit rusty.
Still we successfully competed in 70cm (with 12 faults) and 80cm (with 8 faults). No placings today but lots to be pleased with.
I know the faults came from poor lines on my part. Definitely something to work on. Guess we’ll just have to get out more over the winter.
Day 1 of camp down and lots to report. Two brilliant lessons (poles this morning and course jumping this afternoon). One new saddle pad (it was on sale!!). And zero falls. Now that’s what I call a very good day.
Weather-wise it was a game of two halves. This morning was awful with heavy showers. This afternoon saw glorious sunshine.
Round 2 of Newmarket Salt therapy was good too. Buddy spent more time by the nozzle this time. He seems so chilled out with life today.
Fingers crossed he stays like that tomorrow when we head out to XC.
Strap in, this could be a long one. Today we headed to Blackwater for our latest ODE. It was a scorcher for sure! Not our day as we were thwarted a lot today.
Decided to step up to the 80cm. We’ve been jumping them well in practise so thought it would be OK.
Now the advantage to doing the bigger class is that you don’t have to be up at the crack of dawn. Or plait the night before. Well this totally threw me. Woke up and didn’t know what to do with myself.
Probably the worst plaiting job I’ve ever done as I was a bit thrown by it all. Still off we headed. Secretly I was hoping for clouds and a stiff breeze by the time we arrived.
Parked up and was promptly told that the space was reserved. So I had to move. Finally found a space but on the wrong side to where I usually parked. So that threw me and I lost the lorry several times during the day.
Undeterred I tacked up and headed to dressage to warm up. Checked in with the steward and was told my ring. As I was walking into the warm up (trust me I was a lot hotter than warm already), I spotted the rider behind me had the same number. Seems mine had changed and I didn’t know.
That meant my times had changed too. So did my ring. Then it got changed back again. Slightly off putting. Not the best warm up I ever done.
But an OK test. I thought we’d done a decent job. Buddy was calm and so was I.
The judge didn’t agree though and gave us our worst ever score 47%. I’m really disappointment with that given the hard work I’ve been putting in with our flatwork. I guess she can only judge what she sees.
Bit of a wait till SJ meant I had time to correct my number and find out what my times should be. As I was on my own, I thought I’d get everything ready for my XC change over. Only to find that I’d left his XC boots at home. The advantage of a lorry is that you can leave everything onboard. That only works when you actually put them back after cleaning them. Managed to borrow some backs. And used my SJ fronts.
That sorted, it was time to tack up again. Buddy was flying in the SJ warm up. So I felt really good going into the ring. Buddy had other ideas and entered in feral mode. While we jumped them all, he sent a lot of them flying. Not even sure how many we had down.
Still at least we jumped them at the first attempt.
Quick turnaround for XC. Got halfway up to the warm up and realised I hadn’t put my body protector on. Seriously?! My brain had fried in the heat I think!!
Again we warmed up beautifully. Buddy locked on to all of the jumps. Headed to the start feeling good again. Then there was a hold on the course and the ambulance went heading off. Thankfully horse and rider were OK.
Once we got the green light again, we got moving again. Timed it a few seconds too quick so nearly headed off on 2. Managed to hold long enough for the go.
Buddy headed out of the start box brilliantly and stormed 1 & 2. He was eyes on stalks most of the way round so more interesting lines and another silly stop (I really need to learn to kick).
It was bloody hard work keeping it all together. It was ridiculously hot. So I could have done without being told off by one the the jump judges for swearing. Didn’t know there was a rule about that?! It wasn’t like I was swearing at her or beating my horse!
But we made it round.
Another cricket score to add to the collection.
I’m frustrated and disappointed by today. I know it’s horses. I know Eventing is bloody hard work. It’s really difficult to get everything right. I’m not ashamed to say I cried most of the way home.
I try so hard and put in the hard work. When it doesn’t go your way, it’s really hard to take in that moment.
II’m overtired, over hot and over emotional. I’ll bounce back. I always do.
Today we started together, finished together and did some stuff in between.
Not our best day. But far from our worst. 35.25 for dressage. Which is our best score at an ODE.
Buddy was super relaxed and so was I. Got 7 x 7’s and nothing less than a 6. So really happy with that!
SJ I wasn’t sure how he was going to be but he was up for it. Flew round clear! There were 2 doubles so absolutely thrilled.
Then on to XC. He was like Tigger on acid in the warm up. Jogging everywhere and not listening. Took him to the start box and he turned into Eeyore. 🤦🏻♀️
Run out at no 2 and a few interesting lines. Then another stop on the smallest fence on the course. Still we completed. We came home with a cricket score but I don’t care.
It’s been a long time since we did an ODE. I’m chuffed with us today.
Well it’s been a while since I did this! October 2019 to be precise. First SJ competition since then. And it did it show. We were definitely rusty.
Still lots of positives to take away from today. First SJ competition at Anvil Park Stud. First competition since breaking my ankle. First competition this year. First 85cm competitively for Buddy.
It wasn’t pretty (in fact it was a bit of a car crash) but I don’t care. We did it!!
Was running a bit late having been held up getting petrol. Seemed everyone else had the same idea. Luckily Anvil were running late too so had time to get everything sorted and walk the course.
I’d entered the 75cm as our warm up round. Good job too. Buddy flew the practice jumps and feel like he had wings.
Took him into the ring and Mr Nappy Pants tried to make an appearance. I’m wise to him now so he got short shrift and off we went. It was going OK till we got to the double. We haven’t done one in a while and Buddy ducked out at the second part. Turned a circle and jumped it second time. Only to be eliminated so not jumping part A as well. 🤦🏻♀️
Shook it off and came out fighting in the 85cm. It wasn’t pretty and we ended up with 16 fault, including another runout at part B (guess who’s going to be working on doubles again!).
I must have sounded slightly deranged as I was talking to him the whole way round. I don’t care. It felt so good to be out and about again. I’ve missed competing so much. Huge smile at the end and so proud of Buddy.
It will get better! We may never reach the heady heights of some, but my little boy ticked a lot of boxes today. He’s such a pleasure to take out. He really is My Absolute Diamond.
Tales, Tails and Talus 