I feel really pleased to report that things are finally
getting a little more back to normal now. My leg has healed very well and
although I'm still doing lots of physio and its very weak, I feel well on the
road back to competition ready for the summer season. I have to admit that all
this recent glorious sunshine does really kick ones bottom into action for
getting outside and getting in the saddle.
I have made three competitive appearances this month, I
kicked off gently with British dressage on the super gorgeous Gott You J and my
Barbie pony Fleur T, both were making their first outings in this sphere. I have to admit at the time seemed a pretty big deal to me as although they are
normally sensible babies, atmosphere can do funny things to horses brains. Gott
You J did feel the hype in the collecting ring but after burning off the excess
energy he performed foot perfect, both were highly placed with plenty to work
on for future appearances. Dayton also performed well winning one of his tests
but a cheeky moment in the second cost us. Overall we had a lovely day, I did
feel rather stiff afterwards as this had been my biggest test since my fall but
I was pleased to be back out and no pain, no gain!
The only thing left to try was jumping...
So luckily for me Rachael was going on holiday and I got
to steal the amazing Scylla D'Ouilly. After a tricky moment figuring how to use
jumping stirrups again and a quick practice at home we headed off to Port Royal. Once we knew I was confident enough, it was off to Vale View mid-week. Ruby took
exceptional care of me while I worked out what to do again and we won both our
classes. Although I felt my leg isnt 100% back to full strength, I was just so thrilled that I could still ride correctly and I still have
my confidence. I don't feel it affects me in anyway which had been a nagging
worry, now it's just a case of working hard and strengthening up.
While I've been out of competitions I've been seriously
in demand as a coach and I've been doing weekly clinics at Thornthorpe Equestrian as well as numerous other private yard coaching around Yorkshire. I was thrilled to be
invited by Jane Walker to coach at the Active Rider camp at Somerford Park, It was a real fun weekend meeting lost of new people and it was really pleasing to
see so many people gain so much confidence. The
camps are a brilliant idea and I hope I will be invited back in the future.
With the sun shining and things are finally looking up and I'm really enjoying being out on the yard again. We have a couple of new faces
that I'm very excited about and plans are in full swing to get the team fit
again and back on the road.
 |
| My stable lad! |
Its hard to believe that this time last year I was the
size of a baby elephant and ready to burst. Charlie is one at the end of this
month and it doesn't seem two minutes since I was waddling around. Now it's him
waddling around after me, he loves coming and helping at the yard, but his
absolute favourite thing is watching the machines and tractors with Neil. I'm
crossing everything that he wants one of those and not a pony!!
We are just getting ready to head out the door again to
go and get two ready for tomorrow's dressage at Parklands, I'll let you know
how we get on next time....
Sam
