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 been craving salt recently. I’m guessing it’s cause of the humidity and a bit of sweating. I usually have electrolytes but I’ve run out (yes they’re on the shopping list). I mentioned this to the chiropractor and she checked me. Totally agreed that I need more salt. Let’s face it, I have to be different.
So on my way back, I stopped for some salty snacks. Can’t beat salted peanuts or salty popcorn. It was only when I got home that I realised I’d accidently picked up sweet popcorn. Doh!
At least a packet of peanuts hit the salty craving.
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!
Met up with Katie and Archie for a saunter round Blickling this morning.
It felt cooler when I got up, so I opted for long sleeves. I was regretting this choice by the time I got to the yard as it was warmer than I thought. Let’s just say I was a tad warm…
They say horses sweat and women glow, well I was definitely a horse today. Pity I didn’t get to spend the afternoon in a field eating. I let Buddy have that one while I cleaned out the lorry and tidied his bedroom.
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!
I thought I’d try and take an arty photo of our boys in the forest. Ended up perfectly framing Katie between Buddy’s ears.
Couldn’t help smile. Well smile even more. It felt good to be back in the forest ready for another training camp.
Of course I might regret that statement after sweating my backside off tomorrow. I packed so many extra clothes. Unlike last time, it’ll be for sweating rather than shivering.
For the second Tuesday running I was ‘super sub’ at Carrow Road. And it appears my jinx had well and truly been lifted as it was the second home win with a score of 3-1.
There was a blast from the past too as John Ruddy was in goal. I used to have many a chat with him before the match. I have so many happy memories from behind the scenes. Very lucky indeed. Of course I did have to sweat a lot for them.
Today we headed back to Forest Edge Arena for a BHS Clinic with Caroline Meads. Safe to say Buddy and I had a workout. We had a group flat lesson this morning. We worked on keeping a consistent contact. I’ve been very down on myself lately with our flat work. I felt like we haven’t been progressing. After 6 years together, we still can’t maintain a decent outline. Naturally, I look to me first. So was good to hear that it’s not all me. And get more tools for the toolkit.
Then this afternoon we had a private jumping lesson. How lucky was that?! Of course, I was soon questioning this when we were put through our paces again. In the jumping lesson we worked on the quality of Buddy’s canter.
Let’s just say we were both dripping by the end of it. Buddy needs clipping again. He was only clipped a month ago, but you’d never know. His coat has come through so quickly.
You can’t see the steam coming off him. And you definitely didn’t need to see a very sweaty me!
Tales, Tails and Talus 