Tempting Fate.

That’s right. That’s the message here.
What did I say, oh yes ... "it's so good to be riding again."

Well, unfortunately, I'm not riding, I'm back to sitting around on my backside, feeling completely useless.

Here's a nice piccy of me and Anky taken last week.

I really was happy to be riding, even though I don't look it!!.

Head in the sand?

Doing a good ostrich impression, I'm going to ignore my last post and continue as before. We'll see how it goes.

I had a lovely day out on Sunday with my friend, she overlooked my moaning and self indulgence and she helped straighten my head out a little. I've not been at my best the last 3 or 4 weeks, but I'm starting to feel a little stronger now.
Yesterday I rode Anky in the school, she was very good, we did our usual work at walk and I felt quite well balanced.

The only good thing about being tired is that I don't have the energy to be worried or frustrated by anything. This helped me today as I took Anky out on a hack. It felt like the right thing, I was really calm and I wanted to ride her out. She is the most jumpy horse I've ever ridden, so alert to everything, but despite this I felt safe today, she was trying to be a good girl, and actually she succeeded because we went halfway round my usual short ride with a few spooks and jumps but very willingly. When she's jumpy, she has a tendency to suck back at me, her head high, but at times today she stretched out into my hand and relaxed a little and it felt quite good.
My right side is still weak and I have no strength at all in my leg (I've discovered I can ride with my leg brace), but I was aware today how tuned-in my seat and body felt........

Realistic Goals-Sensible Decisions?

I've spent the last 2 days thinking about this.The thought has been lurking in my head for a while, unchallenged.
The last 3 weeks have dumped me on my arse (physically and emotionally) and perhaps it's time to take stock.
We have 4 horses here, including 2 youngsters (2 and 3yr old) and a tricky young mare.
I think my riding is good enough to train these horses, but I'm not sure it's realistic or that I'm up to the extra complications that come with young horses. I love them all, especially Remy who is my "boy", but I don't think I can do it. I want to, but don't think I can.
I tell myself I can buy a lovely schoolmaster, something totally reliable, with some talent that I can enjoy, perhaps that's the answer.
So many people have said that it would be very easy to get a buyer for Remy, but it's never been an issue before.
At what age does one have to start making sensible decisions? Perhaps the answer is- at my age.

Pot of Gold

I didn't ride today, too tired. My Dad sent me some pics from their visit so I thought I'd share.
Mothers Meeting.

Friends and Family.

Memories, this is where I used to live.

This one is mine from today, I should have gone searching.....

Anky

Today was a beautiful sunny day and I couldn't wait any longer, I just had to ride Anky. She doesn't have that reassuringly solid and reliable feel that Corky has and I felt a little unbalanced and one-sided.
We worked at walk in the school and she was fairly settled and calm. Unfortunately there wasn't a lot of structure to the schooling, I was just so glad to be back riding her. We practiced a few halts, slowing down the walk with my seat, some leg yield on a circle and one or two attempts at shoulder-in. So not great on content, but fantastic on feel-good factor.

A relaxing hack.

It's nearly 3 weeks since I've ridden, so today I took Corky out on a hack. She is such a good girl, she hasn't been ridden in a long time, she's fat, getting on a bit and a little stiff, but everytime I ride her it reminds me why we have her.

She was so well behaved and we had a lovely relaxing hack. She was soft in my hand, responsive to very light leg aids and we got some nice leg yield and shoulder- in. I took her through the wood and she sometimes get's a little worried and wanting to rush ( I know, hard to believe with Corky!) so I practiced some halts by using my seat and closing my fingers. She responded really well, but then just sat on my hands a little so I asked for halt and then rein-back which lightened her to the hand. She is so tolerant, she does put up with "Mum messing"! I can hear her tutting as I take the tack into the stable, she keeps insisting that she's retired!!

Badminton 3 Day Event

I love 3 day eventing. I think the horses are fantastic, they have to be so versatile and very brave. I've spent a very lazy day watching the Badminton 3 day event and really enjoyed it. I've always been a supporter of Mary King who's had a very unlucky year and she got round, a few hair raising moments, but nevertheless....

Karin Donckers usually rides a very good dressage test and this year was no exception, she has a beautiful mare, Gazelle de la Brasserie. As a partnership they show how 3 day eventing should be done.

Thanks, Trudi.

Tia

This is Tia, Corkys daughter. I sold her before we came to France.

I've just heard from her new owner,(who sends me updates and pics from time to time)that she has been picked to apply for the para olympics 2012 with Tia! She had hinted at it before, but now it is certain. I am so proud of them both.
This is a pic of Tia with Tara.

Bonbon - my funny little 2yr old.

Well I'm still deprived of my horses and reduced to getting my horse fix by reading, watching dvd's and trawling the internet. I came across this vid (not brilliant quality I'm afraid) of Bonbons dad Keystone Valentino , taken at the Week of the Stallions Show Zwolle, 2007.


As for Bonbon, she's not little , but she is funny.

My horses have become field ornaments!