aaaaaaaaand breathe

It’s been a while since I posted and it’s been a while since I’ve not felt stressed or agitated. 

A lot has happened, good and bad, that has left me drained. 

Two and a half weeks a go I had a jumping clinic with Richard Barton on my mare, Millie. All was going well, but this time of the year she can just change in an instant. She threw in a flying buck but I was so tense already I come straight over her head but lucky landing clean on my feet. I don’t know how but it felt incredible, I should have really made a “V” in the air with my arms like a gymnast. I got back on and we  continued with the canter poles. In the mood, Millie can be near on unstoppable. And I’m only 5ft2″ which isn’t enough to stop spring Millie. Long story short, she put me THROUGH the fence. And I don’t mean a jumping fence, I mean the double panneled perimeter fence around the arena. Looking back I am so lucky the fence was knotted so that it gave way instead of my bones. I’m lucky to just have cuts and bruises but I am so heart broken. 

In the summer, autumn and winter Millie and I make the most amazing team. We’ve had her since she was six, SO from just after she was backed so we knew we were so have a few teething problems but not like this. She’s dangerous, but only in the spring. We’ve made so much progress but now we have to start again, meaning we will be out for half of the competing season. I can’t give up on her. 

As we speak she is five hours away with Richard at “boot camp”. There he can suss her out and work out how to deal with her while his wife, Janet, can check her back and see if she is in any pain. Because everything about this screams “OVARIES” 

But enough of her for now before I get emotional, I will be sure to keep you all updated.

Now for the fun stuff. Just because Millie is out of the picture for shows doesn’t mean I have to be! My mum offered me her handsome but dopey Andalusian, Norman, to try out some dressage this weekend. It was my first time ever in the show ring so we just rode an intro test. We came out with a second place rossette, but just an ok percentage in the low fifties. 

Around four days prior to the show weekend I was told my favourite full livery, Zimmocha, was free for the show date and my boss really threw me in at the deep end entered me into a preliminary test. I was terrified. I had to canter with people watching in the same arena Millie tried to demolish. All I wanted to do was conquer my demons and it paid off. In the form of a blue ribbon and over 60% on my score sheet. Here’s me looking incredibly chuffed just after leaving the ring. -in a free walk on a long rein where appropriate of course – 

Although I am so proud of myself, Norman and Zimmy I am still so gutted I wasn’t doing this with my best friend Millie. Although, outlines and dressage aren’t her thing I’ve always loved the idea of the discipline to keep her brain engaged every once in a while. But I must admit the weekend has made me into quite the dressage diva. 

Sorry this has been a long one, but you did have a lot to catch up on. 

Catch you laters, 

Eloise💕