Dare I weigh up 2014? Jan- wettest muddiest winter I remember, get forbidden to hack or turnout the horses-misery. I cannot agree to this long term, we are served notice. 10 days holiday in Australia and New Zealand fo Sarah Cruickshanks wedding, first real holiday in 5 years-bliss. Get to swim a horse with Dolphins thanks to Charlotte Littlefield! Get back to my dear lurcher Tiger killed by poisoning-and I have all the evidence to incriminate the person responsible. Feb- Beloved friend and partner in crime Bug dies in my arms in the most fairytale way of a heart attack cantering on top hill of the farm overtaking Pennyz and Woody. He took me round the world and to the Olympics, there is still not a week without tears (b***** here they come). Previous landlord feels ringworm riddled cattle in the field adjacent my yard is the ultimate way to spite us, we battle to rid the horses of the fungus with much time, frustration and money involved. Mar & Apr - Anxious search for a new yard continues. Pennyz and Woody cheer us up with fantastic results at Fontainebleau and then Belton, youngsters start season well. May - the thrilling top form in the build up only makes Pennyzs bruised foot the day before Badminton more agonizing. I really felt it would have been her event... It is so rare to be lucky enough to have a horse run. We try and cheer ourselves with the first successful embryo transfer from Pennyz at Beaufort Embryo Transfer Centre! Freeby trips and falls in the water at Broadway leading to a loss of his confidence that took me 3 months to fully resolve. I also miss the last fence when show jumping clear at Chatsworth, wanted earth to swallow me, which it almost did later when I have a fall xc on another horse. Luckily Woody 6th in 3*. Jun - Whilst at Bramham my tackroom is burgled very badly and left bare. £50000 of history taken, Lycetts insurance guides us through the aftermath, Pariani are very supportive replacing tack over the coming months, many friends come to the rescue for mid season frenzy. Meanwhile I run out at stupid second last fence with Woody at Bramham when clear in the time ( still cant believe it) and then he jumps a rare clear SJ?! The Novice and Intermediate horses are however winning lots in borrowed kit. The lorry breaks down temporarily. The computer and the internet are a nightmare too! July - New Yard! Norton Grounds comes to the rescue! We have been thoroughly spoilt! Its a new leaf turned? New lorry arrives courtesy of Empire Horseboxes!! Pennyz is back on track too starting to build up for WEG. Aug - Gatcombe goes well, we start dotting the is and crossing the ts in the run up to Normandy. Get to the World Games, school stunningly the day before, get on for my test, 5 mins before I go in the main arena she starts to feel lame and I withdraw-need I say more? Giovanni Ugolotti brings home a great result, Evelina gains experience, Stefano is extremely unlucky to withdraw xc, we lose the team and dont get Rio qualification. I then get horrendous gastroenteritis from the french canteens (4 days in bed- not been ill since I was about 12). Sept - Blenheim with Woody, great dressage, exhilarating superb xc then 8 poles down SJ on my birthday?! But then Freeby won the 1* at Ballindenisk! Monica was 6th in the 2* but felt she could have won had she not twisted her neck bizarrely so I couldnt take a contact! Oct - incomprehensibly lose a friend, most disconcerting and unusual I thought. But fantastic run at the last events, rounding off with all 7 horses running at all levels at Aldon finishing in the top 3!! So satisfying with horses of all walks of life and some who had surmounted past troubles. Nov & Dec - Recover, admin, regroup, paperwork, hunting and restaff. Alice Riggins leaves for Uni, and Bryony Milton, Lizzie Doolittle & Joey Glanvill have joined Sarah Mann on the team! Very lucky me! And some lovely new owners have joined the team throughout the year. Jump the biggest obstacle in my life over a Ledbury hunt hedge with Freeby! Christmas eve I am lent Harry to hunt, he is superb till sods law, fall after a surprise ditch and he pulls a forearm muscle, he has never been lame before. I seem to have then survived the remaining few days of the year unscathed and have recently been able to squash in a bit of winter social life like the Black Watch reeling ball! These are the highlights that have sprung to mind! A lot of disasters were thankfully interspersed with a lot of horses trying their very best to cheer me up with their great efforts, they kept us going! The list of people to thank for supporting us through all the snakes and ladders is endless, but clearly without helpful landlords, Sweep, Woody, Womby, Pennyz, other generous horses, grooms, owners, vets, farrier, saddlers, physioes, chiropractors, sponsors (Pure Feeds, Hzone Equine Wear, Pariani, Farmaceutici Candioli, Ariat, Empire, Equissage, Style boots, Bartl sheepskin), trainers, friends, family, photographers, journalists, Rhona Glynn , Areonautica Militare and Italian team support Id go nowhere! I am not the only one to have suffered losses, goodbyes were said to a number of legendary horses and some far too young riders and plenty other disasters have happened worldwide. 2015 really must be better?! Happy new year everyone! Lets appreciate every good bit! Ps. Written earlier
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 03:46:20 +0000
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