More ears

Today has been a lovely horsey day. Made even more lovely by the fact the sun shone!

I started the day judging the show jumping for John Lake Riding Club. It was lovely to see so many competitors having fun in the sun. They start at x-poles. So lots of classes to judge.

We know I love the commentary bit, but I’ve found I love the judging bit too. So I’ve applied to do the BS Judge Training. As much as I love jumping. And can’t see myself stopping anytime soon. There will come a day when I can’t or don’t want to. So paying it forward if that makes sense. Horses are my thing. I want to still be involved if I can.

Once back home, I was lucky to ride two horses. Took Buddy out for his 15 mins of walk. Then took Ernie out for a longer ride. At this point, I could make a joke about the fastest milkman. But I really would be showing my age…

Iris

How pretty is this iris? It bloomed overnight and greeted me this morning when I went to get the bins in. Oh the glamour.

I was due to have a ‘walk & talk’ this morning. That turned into a ‘sit in sunshine & talk’. Afterwards, I took a moment to look around my garden. So much has bloomed in the sunshine. It seems my garden is solar powered too.

Favourite spot

Hugo is loving the warmer weather. He’s also loving the fact the garden furniture comes out. He staked his claim to the garden chair today. He was most upset when I turfed him off it so I could eat my lunch. He was back on it before I’d made it back to the conservatory.

He was still there when I got back from the yard. Nearly 4 hours later!!

I’m with him on the warmer weather. Things seem so much better when the sun is shining. Buddy got a bubble bath today. Though he was more interested in the grazing afterwards to dry off. Typically he kept wanting to eat the bits in the shade. He was very appreciative of the cow parsley and cleavers. It really is the simple things in life.

Horses inside out

What a fab demo at Easton College this evening from Gillian Higgins of Horses Inside Out. She paints the anatomy on the horses so you can really see the movements. Learnt a lot. And came away with some more pole exercises to do with Buddy.

Reminded me of many years ago when I went to another demo with her. And got to paint Murphy. It was so insightful seeing how he moved.

Lovely seeing so many people too. I do love a horsey outing. In fact it’s been a bit of a horsey day. This afternoon, I was an Emotional Support Person for a friend who was taking her horse to the vets. While we waited, we went for a walk through the bluebells and chatted in the sunshine.

I’m definitely horsey inside and out.

Ivy

There was a strange object in the sky this morning. I wasn’t sure whether to alert the Authorities. I left my house dressed for Winter, but shed several layers by the time I got to the yard.

Buddy was far too busy eating to notice what a beautiful day it was. He’s fully embracing his sick leave, that’s for sure.

I decided to take advantage of the good weather to clear yet more Ivy from my house. I noticed it had climbed up my chimney. Fear not, I wasn’t clambering up there. I went for an alternative tactic and embraced my inner Lara Croft and ventured into the undergrowth.

The wet weather has definitely encouraged my garden to grow. In order to get to the Ivy, I had to clear lots of stinging nettles. So yes, you guessed it, I’m feeling rather prickly now. Still, it looks a lot better now it’s clearer.

Barefoot

What a lovely day at Burnham Market Horse Trails. Caught up with so many people and watched some incredible combinations. Came away feeling very inspired, if a little wind burnt!

Burnham is one of my favourite events. Sadly we’ve lost so many events from the region. Thankfully this one is still in the eventing calendar. Long may that continue…

Barefoot

What a lovely day at Burnham Market Horse Trails. Caught up with so many people and watched some incredible combinations. Came away feeling very inspired, if a little wind burnt!

Burnham is one of my favourite events. Sadly we’ve lost so many events from the region. Thankfully this one is still in the eventing calendar. Long may that continue…

Naked pony

They say things come in threes, but today mine were all good.

First, I got laundry on the line. With the sunshine and high winds, it was dry rather quickly.

Second, Buddy had a naked day in the field. He was very pleased to see me

And finally, the Buddymobile is fixed. More on that tomorrow.

All in all a good day.

Manic Monday

Today has been a very odd day. One of those days where I’ve got a lot done and at the same time gone round in circles.

Literally as I got stuck in a loop with social services over a question about my Mum. After being passed around, I eventually found the right person to speak to. Everyone was really helpful. Just couldn’t answer the question. Rather frustrating.

Hopefully I’ll get an answer tomorrow. At least I got to top up my vitamin D with coffee and kitten cuddles in the sunshine.

Well when they weren’t tearing round the garden like loons! They were both rather manic too! They do make me laugh with their antics.

Complaint

Pretty stunning huh?! A beautiful calm sunny day you say? Not for my jumping lesson. I had high winds, rain and hail.

You know the type of weather where you have to laugh as you’re question your life choices. Where you’re coming into a jump eyes closed in the rain praying one of you can see it.

Thankfully Buddy was on great form. He locked onto every jump. Lewis brought a couple of his jumps over for us to have a play with. Buddy ate them up.

He had us working on straightness and curving lines. It wasn’t long ago that Buddy would have had a meltdown at such technical tracks. Now he’s taking me into the jumps. It’s a wonderful feeling.

Typically the wind dropped and the sun came out after we finished. I did put in a complaint that I got the more challenging weather. I guess it was typical eventing weather. Time to break out the body protector and get back to it.

Super pleased with my little boy today.