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!
This is what happens when you try to take a photo of your horse standing next to Santa. Buddy knocked him over.
We had a lot of fun at the yard today with a spot of ‘pony club games / Le Trec’. Buddy aced the obstacles. He’s a pro at it now. He even acted as ‘emotional support pony’ for some of the newer liveries who haven’t experienced our yard games before.
Anything to make winter a little bit more fun..
Yesterday I got an SOS. So today I went to the Lincoln Showground and back. As you do. Or rather as I do.
One of my friends was competing at the BRC Championships today and needed company / support. We all know I love a horsey roadtrip. Even better when I’m fed, caffeinated and get two lorry dogs to cuddle.
It also meant I got to surprise the other Carleton RC competitors. I have very fond memories of competing at the Champs in 2022. It wasn’t our crowning glory. But we did it. I have some lovely photos and a rosette. I was rather jealous of the stable plaques. They didn’t have those my year, but I did get a medal.
We will be back one day I’m sure. For now, I was happy to be groom / cheerleader / emotional support Pip.
After mucking out 3 horses this morning (and sweating about 3 gallons), I headed over to Forest Edge to catch up with the campers there. And a lot more sweating for good measure.
There were road closures so I ended up on a magical mystery tour of Swaffham. I saw bits I have no idea were there!
Finally arrived, very hot and bothered, so it was lovely to see so many friendly faces. Lots asked how Buddy was doing. It was sweet to hear that we’ve been missed.
It was sweltering over there, so part of me was glad I wasn’t riding. Of course, the much bigger part wished I was.
As I drove home, I reflected on how lost I would be without the horsey people in my life. I’ve made so many friends as a result. Friends that have become family. Friends that I can’t imagine life without.
Very grateful indeed to my horsey family. Buddy and I will be there for the final camp of the year. So watch out campers, we’ll be back!
I went to a pole clinic today. Without Buddy. To support a friend. And pick up some tips for when Buddy is allowed to do poles again.
He’s not the best when it comes to poles. He has a tendency to clatter through them. I remember an instructor telling me she loved silent ponies. I didn’t get what she meant, till Buddy and I clonked our way through the poles. We don’t do them enough I know. We both prefer them when they are on off the ground on wings.
We can start with one on the ground soon. Oh the excitement!! Who knows by the end of his rehab, we might have a pole dancer…
Another long day at the Showground. Another BRC Qualifier being run by Carleton Riding Club. This time Combined Training. Another day of stewarding – not only the dressage, but the showjumping too!
Thankfully the weather was kinder than yesterday. Good job too as my boots were still wet this morning. That wasn’t particularly pleasant. A bit like putting on a wet swimming costume. Only a few showers to contend with today.
We cracked through the dressage and even faster through the showjumping. Finishing early!!
This made me giggle when I’d finished. We talk about nature’s power, well this looked like the electric was coming from the tree. Got to witness nature’s true power when I got home as there was an almighty thunderstorm! So grateful that didn’t hit while I was standing in a big field!!
I ache from standing for two days, my face aches from smiling at everyone, but I’ve had a fantastic weekend. Volunteering, supporting and being part of equestrian events really does make me feel good about myself. I love helping. I love riding more, so fingers crossed we’ll be back to that too. And I’m sure my boots will dry out at some stage…
Buddy has his special shoe put on today. Just call him Cinderella! It’s called a spider plate apparently. My fab farrier made it for him after having a chat with the vet. Honestly, I’m not kidding when I say Buddy has a crack support squad!
To make sure he’s not wonky, he made a slightly different version for his other front hoof. Everything crossed it helps his recovery.
I love the green putty. Green is definitely Buddy’s colour. Well he is an Irish boy after all.
I’m grateful for my crack support squad today too. There have been lots of tears today. Things have been building up for a while. I know I’ve been drifting into the rumble strip of life. So today I let the tears flow. And took my oversized Labrador and his Cinderella shoes out for his constitutional. It helped.
One day we will go to the Ball Buddy Boy. Till then, walking it is. Let’s face it, he’s definitely my Prince Charming.
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.
Had to improvise today as the indoor school was being harrowed when I went to lunge Buddy. So I took him out to his field. In the squally wind. That was interesting!
A couple of ‘wind up the tail’ moments. But for the most part he was his usual wonderful self.
I like to lunge him as it gives me a different view of him and his way of going. He’s looking really well at the moment. Good job too with his crack support team!
One of whom I met for breakfast. It was really good to chat without a horse in the way. Though there were rather large sausage baps involved. I’ll let you insert your own jokes there.
I saw this and it resonated. Today has been a bit of a reflective day. Once more I’ve been touched by people’s compassion and support. It really is the little things that can make a big difference.
A message to check in, an invite for dinner, a smile, a hug, a kind word. They all count. And make me feel seen.
Well that’s it, we did our last clinic of 2023. And it was a really good one! I wasn’t sure if we were going to make it when I woke up feeling pretty rotten.
Dosed myself up, downed a few medicinal lucozades and headed off feeling more human. Thankfully Buddy was feeling rather fine.
We haven’t been to Anvil for a while and the pigs were back by the Arena. Buddy does make me laugh. He’s scared of a pigeon, but give him a field of large loud pigs and he’s like ‘got it Mother’. He even ended up being an emotional support pony for the 5 year old mare who we were sharing the lesson with. She wasn’t happy about the pigs. But Buddy soon reassured her.
It’s been a while since we had a lesson with Simon too. We finished the session popping over some meaty metre jumps. A fabulous way to end our 2023 training. We’ve come such a long way. I’m excited about what 2024 will bring.
Tales, Tails and Talus 