Hangovers, Honeymoon and Hobday

I’m back! This has been the longest break from blogging I have ever had. I’ve missed my weekly therapy session, sharing my thoughts and feelings with you all.

I have been on a blogging hiatus whilst I acted like a grown up for once and got married. The week before the wedding Pa and I were not being sensible or grown up at all. We went galloping through the stubble fields. I was galloping flat out when suddenly Wigs tripped. I went flying. Dad watched with horror as a cloud of dust erupted as I came crashing down. Ouch. I was sitting on my bottom covered in mud with Wigs standing over me looking down. Panicking I started feeling for broken bones. Thankfully I was just bruised. I dusted myself off and hopped back on. My face felt sore and I was petrified that I would wake up the next day with a black eye. Luckily I had only scratched it. I did have a huge black bruise down my thigh but luckily this would not show through my dress It was then decided galloping would be banned until after the wedding. It was not worth feeling Mum’s wrath if one of us were to get injured.

My wedding day still involved me getting in the saddle. I had a pre-wedding photo shoot with Wigs and Buzz. Both boys were dressed for the occasion wearing blingy diamante and pearl brow bands. My father-in-law did my hair for the wedding and looked rather anxious watching me on the horses. I dare not mess up the hair. They were both impeccably behaved and I managed to get some lovely photos whilst avoiding slobber, mud and excited dogs (Mum’s Labradors also joined in the fun).

The day was perfect. It went so quickly. I was so pleased that everyone took so many lovely photos so that I could still see all the moments I missed.

The next day (with rather sore heads) my new husband and I made the long journey to Wales. Whilst I would be enjoying a week of eating, drinking and exploring Wales, Wigs would also be enjoying a nice holiday. He has worked so hard this year that he was in real need of a week in the field. He showed his appreciation by doing acrobatics around the field.

The week went quickly and before we knew it we were back at home. I went to work Monday for one day to pay the wages and catch up on some work.  Then on the Tuesday Pa and I were off to Ben Hobday Camp at Somerford Park. I became a Real Horse Wife of Cheshire for the week. It was a 6 hour trek in the lorry there. Luckily both our horses are really good travellers and we stopped to offer them drink breaks.

Arriving at Somerford Park I was in awe. It is such an impressive place. Its huge! I described it as an equestrian village. Fields as far as you can see, more cross country jumps then I could count. We rode past a jump store that looked like a Badminton grave yard. The yard and grounds are pristine. There are constantly staff doing maintenance works to ensure the standard is upheld.

We arrived before the stables were ready so we took Harvey and Wigs on the farm ride to give them a leg stretch. We though this would be a half an hour hack but the ride was over an hour long. It was 7 miles of sandy tracks with optional jumps in various sizes. Bliss! I would be content to never ride on a road again if I had this on my door step. We attempted a small log on the ride and gave them a paddle in the water jump. However we decided to be sensible and not attempt any other jumps as we wanted to make it to the first day of camp.

Once the boys were settled it was time to test out the new lorry’s facilities. We knocked up a feast of antipasti, pasta and flat breads. Complemented with Prosecco of course. Mum had put enough food in the lorry to feed the whole camp for a month, thank god the dress diet was now out the window.

Our first lesson was not until lunchtime on the first day so we got the yard work done and then headed over to the onsite Saddlery, Hope Valley. This was like a Mecca for horse shopping. Two floors of clothing and equestrian products. Saddle cloths piled from floor to ceiling. I was in heaven.  Retail therapy done, it was time to prep for our showjumping lesson with Ben.

Ben got us warming up over raised poles, working on rhythm and he explained what it meant seeing a stride.  Ben is so down to earth and took the time to remember every ones names. Even though there was 5 people on a group and he had about 10 groups that day.

Wigs was feeling very well and full of beans. His week off had obviously been very beneficial as he felt on springs. He could not contain his excitement at seeing the jumps and was literally leaping with joy. Luckily he soon tired himself out and then his full attention was on the jumps. He felt brilliant, he didn’t touch a pole. Ben helped me to work on my position and contact. We got a lot of jumping done in an hour as Ben kept everyone moving quickly. He also encouraged us to watch each other to learn from each other mistakes and replicate good work. Despite having a mixture of very different height and type horses (ranging from a 14hh pony to 18hh plus Harvey) he managed to produce a good result in every horse and rider. And a marked improvement in all of us.

 

Our next lesson was not until 18.00pm that evening so we let the boys rest for a few hours and refuel. During this period we were lucky enough to have a demo from FMB Equine. They put their Electromagnetic massage rug on Harvey. Yes, we were surprised it fitted him too. He is a 7’3″ in rugs. This rug comes in one size with several adjustable straps so that it can be used on all different size horses. We really believe in magnetic therapy. Both Wigs and Harvey have magnetic rugs that we put on before and after exercising. This rug is different as it contains oscillating magnets so can penetrate deeper tissue than the static magnets in our rug. Plus, it also has the massage function which mimics the work of a physiotherapist. Its fair to say, that you only had to look at Harvey’s face to see how much he was enjoying the treatment. I think he thought he had gone away for a spa weekend rather than a training camp. I know what will be on his Christmas list.

As we got ready for our dressage lesson with Jake (who works for Carl Hester) the heavens decided to open. However I was determined not to let the rain interfere with my planned outfit. We risked it and went ahead with Eskadron Rose Pink matching Bandages and Saddlecloth. And I was pleased I did as our excellent camp photographer Katy Tuck braved the bad weather to get some photos.

Both horses went really well, with Jake proclaiming Wigs a real Pocket Rocket. He was in showing off mode and his medium trots were out of this world. Why can’t he do this in tests! We also worked on lateral movements; leg yielding and shoulder-in. He also had some great tips to develop our rein back so that we can keep the straightness and impulsion.

Wet but beaming at such a good first day. We dried the ponies off and wrapped them up for bed. Pa and I then headed back to the lorry to warm up ourselves. We started our cross country prep that evening, a bottle of Prosecco for me and a bottle of red for Pa. We hoped that we would be more relaxed riding the following day. (This is normally true when I ride with a hangover!).

Thursday we were both nervous. I hadn’t been cross country for 10 years and I knew it would go one of two ways today. I would either love it and want to be out eventing again or I would quit and never go cross country ever again. We were on at 10 o’clock in the morning but its safe to say Pa and I fitted in a quite a few toilet trips before our session.

We got all our kit on. I had dug out Buzz’s old Woof Cross Country boots from when I used to event him. They fitted Wigs like a glove. Even this made me a little emotional. Then we headed out to the cross country course to meet Ben. Firstly he warmed us up. The whole group cantering around in one big circle, practicing our gears. Wigs thought this was great fun and showed me some new gears!

Next we warmed up over a jump, one small rail. Then he pulled us up. He then told to ride a course of 5 jumps. I was a bit shell shocked, I thought I would come out and just jump a few logs and then call it a day. I had never taken Wigs cross country before and was unsure what he would make of all the different fences.

I was first up! I put my brave pants on and I pushed Wigs into canter. He left the group and was off without a second glance. He locked onto the first jump and we were away. He flew everying.  Suddenly I remembered the feeling of being out on a cross country course with your pony and know one else near. It feels so special, like it you and him taking on the world.

Around the course, I dropped a few F bombs. I had not seen the jumps up close and when riding up to them I realised how big they were. I squeezed Wigs on. He felt like he said to me “don’t worry, I’ve got this”.  He jumped everything cleaning and enthusiastically without a second look. After I finished the first course, I realised I was loving it. I also then let Ben in on the fact that I hadn’t been cross country in 10 years, He chuckled and assured me I was doing a good job. He is a really good teacher and really installs confidence in riders. He told me I was capable of jumping these jumps, so I did. And I felt bloody brilliant after it.

We then did another course which included a house to a ditch. I told Ben that I wasn’t sure if Wigs done ditches? He said we will soon find out. Well of course he flew it.

Then we went on to do two water combinations. Riding through two waters and then up and out over a roll top. Then jumping over a roll top into water. Something I have never done before.

 

At the end of the session Pa and I were both stunned at how much we had jumped and achieved today! We really ended on a high. It was then time to pack up and head back down south.

I was beaming all the way home. I felt like I had gone around Badminton. I was so thrilled and am now excited for the prospect of more cross country outings and who knows maybe a bit of eventing next year?

 

We got home at 20.30pm Thursday night. What a brilliant week, I celebrated with a Prosecco (naturally). Although the come down was that I had to go back into work Friday! Back to reality with a bang!

However that was not the end to our brilliant week. Sunday saw our first outing of the Winter BD series to Hadlow College. Luckily Pa had got the entries in whilst I was on honeymoon. We entered the Prelim and Novice. I had not ridden either test on Wigs, but managed a quick run through on Buzz on the Saturday. I was also worried that Wigs would be a bit tired. I was also worried that I would forget the test as I had a horrendous hangover. I was peer pressured into having Tequila shots at a friends leaving do. However as usual Wigs rose to the challenge bringing home two red rossettes. We achieved 69.29% in our Prelim test and 66.96% in our Novice. I lost a few points for a couple of rider errors but we scored some 8 in both tests, so I was very proud of my boy!

I have had some a fab few weeks! I am feeling very happy, lucky and loved.

Love

Lizzie and Wigs

xxx