Summer has arrived! Finally (She says touching every piece of wood in sight) We’ve had another mixed month…for a change…
Going to get the bad news out the way first. Bertie had a follow up physio appointment after still not being 100% and we decided it was time to get the vet for a check. We hoped it would be nothing major…but that wouldn’t continue my trend for drama! My amazing vet came and we found Bertie had a tear in the lower inner branch of one of his hind suspensory ligaments. Poo. The sesamoid bone had reacted but fortunately X-rays showed no damage. Phew. This all fits with the slip Bertie had in the field in April. We’re looking at the treatment options and fortunately Sarah and I have him insured. Could be worse! Sadly the injury requires a lengthy rehab and it will be 6 months before he’s back in proper work again. Scarily when you calculate it that means November. So basically the rest of this year is out. We are beyond gutted. This was his ‘step up to PSG’ year and everything was on track for the tailcoat to come out, he’s been going so well. Poor Bertie isn’t talking to me as I’ve clearly ‘retired’ him…let’s hope he’s a good patient and we can both be patient!
The only small positive you can draw from this is that it gives me more time for the other horses… I started this by taking my mum’s horse Truffles cross country schooling. It wasn’t actually the plan but I was teaching a XC lesson and decided – why walk when you can ride?! Truffles had never done XC ever before but we’d had some plays showjumping so thought it would be fun. Safe to say she was a superstar and had a blast. Not sure she gave the ditch enough space though…can you tell I was thrilled she popped over first time?!
While on the subject of XC, my mention-of-the-month must go to pupil and friend Hattie-Louise Tales who took her horse Tally to their second one-day-event and came 3rd in the most awful weather conditions (remember that torrential rain and thunder and lightning?!). They gained the BEST dressage score of the day of 89.5%! They got a special rosette for that and it’s a big achievement as this was only their second dressage test together, and it’s even more impressive when you consider Hattie bought her mare Tally as an unbacked baby, broke her in herself and has done everything with her herself. They’ve worked very hard and this was really deserved.
The rest of my crew have been going really well. New girl G is just a superstar! We have a long long way to go as we have lots to retrain but she’s made such progress already. Head over to my youtube channel for a glimpse of her. She tries so hard to trust me and relax and we’re starting to be able to achieve a smaller trot than the Valegro impression she’s perfected… She’s going to be just mega but is still learning to be calm and steady. I’m so in love with her already. Hoping to take her out in a few months with parachute at the ready.
We have managed a competitive outing this month, finally! Although it was not without drama. Obviously. Took Ruin to Summerhouse and we had low expectations as it was non-stop torrential rain from the go. Did a little elementary. Now I know I said I wasn’t going to compete him until he could go out at Advanced Medium…the work is nearly established now (who knew left halfpass was genuinely rocket science?) so the plan is for an AM debut in July. However I’m not going to lie I was starting to suffer severe cabin fever! I hadn’t competed since the start of March and was getting really itchy feet – I needed to get out. So Ruin was the chosen candidate hence we trudged off to a show in the rain, seriously considering my sanity…as was Ruin clearly, when I was forced to plait half his mane while he had a nap! Good luck to anyone that tries to get him up from a snooze – I tell you he DOES NOT BUDGE. Fortunately, Ruin is such a laid back chap that the weather didn’t bother him nor the standing water in the arenas. He did a really nice test but it was a big class with lots of great combinations so we were realistic with our placing hopes. Amazingly he came 2nd with 68%! Lots of little unbalanced moments (we’re blaming the puddles) but really pleased that our homework is paying off as he becomes more established in the advanced work, and this was reflected with more expression in the trot. Exciting! I went home feeling pleased but watched the video and was appalled – the normal routine for me – so have immediately entered another competition to sort out all the things I didn’t like! Decided on a freestyle so have given myself less than a week to sort something out as Ruin has never done a music test before and I have nothing readymade that would suit him. Nothing like a challenge… You’ll hear how that goes in the next blog.
So it’s been another mixed month – wouldn’t want to buck the trend would we! Disappointing news for Bertie but super excited for G and Ruin. I’ve told Ruin he will be going PSG later this year now Bertie can’t, so he better get cracking – that tailcoat is coming out whether he’s ready or not! Keep an eye out for the next blog where there might be another new arrival on the yard…I wouldn’t want a quiet life…watch this space.
