Keeping it real and catching up with friends in A&E...

   New years resolutions made, January competitions booked, Regionals Championships entered....

January was off to a good start... then the frost came... unfortunately this led to an interrupted training programme. We managed to keep all the horses ticking over with increased afternoon hacks and riding in half the menage.

My riding and training unfortunately came to a grinding halt on Saturday when I came off a horse whilst getting on. 

The NHS was amazing and I was seen to very quickly and prompt X Rays were taken. Whilst waiting for the results I bumped into a friend whose daughter (whom I was riding with half an hour before) had just been rushed to hospital following a fall! Luckily she has no major brakes either!

The doctors said they had four other horse riders in A&E that morning and were wondering what was going on...

Its important to remember how much our horsey friends are effected by the weather... And no matter how many goals and plans you make you always have to be able to adjust and make a plan B, or C.

Thank you to those who are helping me whilst i'm one armed...

I am using the Arc Equine to aid my healing process (read about the Arc here) and  Diane Daynes has helped me along with some Kenesio tape (Visit Diane's facebook page here)

In good news... there are some perks to having a sling.... carrying the 14 week old Puppy Penny in it!

We made it!

Although the lead up to the Regionals 2017 has been a bit bumpy I'm pleased to say that we made it to Wellington EC to contest the Novice and Novice  Freestyle.
Cooter started the day in Novice 37 Gold.

He was first to go and did a good test. He was lovely to warm up and was not at all bothered by the spooky arenas even though he has never been to Wellington. He did a relaxed and rhythmical test but unfortunately had some green moments in the counter canter. He has only done a handful of novice tests but he finds most of it quite easy and shows plenty of promise for the future.

Tilly was entered in the Novice Gold Freestyle later the same afternoon. Tilly hasn't been out since October last year (though we did have pre regional outings planned!) but she travelled and came off the lorry like a pro.

Tilly felt good in the test... we were on the music for our mediums and she felt really rideable. Unfortunately very close to the end of the test we had a little explosion which affected our submission marks a lot (they are x2). It was a real pity as the test was going really well but i'm still really pleased with Tilly's performance, just a pity our 71% wasn't enough to qualify with even with an explosion 😉 .

One more regional to go :)

Its over...

Well... my hand modelling career is probably over before it even began.
Due to the unfortunate incident that occurred at the end of January I have been struggling with a hand injury.
It's making a speedy recovery with help from physios and the Arc Equine which means competing at the Regional Championships is back on!
Nothing like last minute!!

I have had some very exciting news from British Dressage...
Merri and I have been invited to compete in the Inter I freestyle at the Winter Nationals...
This is something I have watched for many years and so thrilled to be asked to compete in this prestigious event!