We're back! :D

We are finally back and back with a bang! 

I have had the best week in a long time, 4 competitions done and although a  varied set of results we've come out on top!

To start the week off Tuesday night we headed to Ravensdale to have a go at their dressage league, we finished up on 66% but didn't place, Rocky was a bit heavy handed and strong around the corners so it was a bit of a reality check that he is a whole lot stronger than I remember!

Next up was the National Balmoral Qualifiers with my riding club on thursday night, unfortunately Rocky once again wanted to show how strong he was and we had three down and our team didn't qualify. We had a quick school after and of course he was 100% and went clear then... My sisters team did qualify however and I have since had a phone call asking me to jump for our other team so we are both heading to compete anyway! Wooo!

Saturday was my return to the Amateur Circuit, only 4months late... but it was lovely to be back and see everyone again. I had Gina and Rocky and both of them were superb, 2nd & 3rd in the Farmers A and Gina 5th in the Grand Prix. Home with a lovely new rug, numnah and Botanic Goodies!

Last but not least we headed to Tattersals on Sunday for the Irish Pony Club event. We had an amazing day, 28.8 in dressage and clear the rest of the way finishing in 5th in our arena! Rocky was superb!

Back in the game!

4months after my accident I can finally say that I am back in the game!

5 horses are all home and we have a serious amount of competitions lined up for the next few weeks!

I've rode 3 times so far, and the foots held up well, even managed a cross country course this afternoon and a clear in the 1m on Gina, first time sitting on her since the fall!

So this weekend is going to be my first Amateur Class of the season, three classes at Meadows and Gina & Rocky will be going! 4 competitions in total this week, so it's all go!

The Road to Recovery is a long one...

So for anyone who's known me for longer than 11 weeks (i.e before the break) you will know i'm not a person who can sit still with ease. I love being busy, seeing people and doing my own thing!

The last 11 weeks have literally broke me, I hate sitting about doing nothing, not a day goes by where I'm not an emotional wreck over the fact I can't ride a horse or walk the dog, or take a quick run around the garden to amuse the goats.

My recovery seem's to be having a slight set back as well, 11 weeks in and I'm experiencing more pain now than I have at any other stage (I've been incredibly lucky!). Walking is a struggle so I carry a crutch, driving is possible although not recommended, and the thought of being able to do flatwork in 3 weeks time seems pretty impossible! 

My next appointment with the hospital is June 13th, hopefully with a CT scan & a few xrays the boot will be removed and I'll be walking like a normal person again! However the first show I've planned to be at is September 27th, so it's still a pretty long road to recovery in terms of showjumping!

Gina, Max & Rocky are all now with their new riders for the time being and seem to be behaving themselves! Fingers crossed for some results from them in the near future!

New Ambitions?

So, I've had another couple of hospital appointments, and everything seems to be healing up pretty well! However it's still going to be September before I can showjump most likely :(

Which means that Dressage may be my only option if I want to compete this summer!
Strange how life takes a funny turn, finishing Final Year next week and can't apply for a job, lost the entire showjumping season and have been a general pain to everyone in my life. On the up side, I've met new friends, got to spend a serious amount of time with my old ones, and pretty much for the first time had a completely normal social life!

Funny how it's the tough time's in life that show you who you really need!

Katie x

I can still update, right?

Just because I can't walk doesn't mean I can't type right?

So the 3 months in a cast are starting to look longer and longer... it's been 3 weeks since my accident and the sun is not helping me come to terms with anything!

However, Gina went to her new rider on Sunday, she's off to a good friend of ours who I know will be perfect for her! So knowing shes getting to compete this season is making me slightly happier!

Laura has started to ride my others and has been learning their quirks early!

On the plus side, we do have a new addition to the family! Yet nameless, but we'll get that sorted soon enough!

It's been a rough couple of weeks!

So, I know usually I'm a wee bit late in updating this because I forget, but this time, I just didn't really feel like having to admit that I'm injured.

Two weeks ago we loaded Rocky & Fluke to head to the Dengie Dressage, neither performed well and it was miserable, so we headed home, loaded up Gina and headed to the Meadows for some jumping to at least enjoy the day!

Cashjumping Ireland 90cm class and we had a clear first round and were into the second speed, one tight turn, one slightly loose girth and I was in a heap in the sand with a rather sore ankle.
2 weeks, 8 xrays, 1 CT Scan and 4 incorrect injuries later, I have very much messed up my ankle, with two shattered bones and a third chipped!

So my horses and now on a break and I'm out until further notice.

Gutted & bored out of my tiny little mind, its not going to be an enjoyable few weeks.

Double update (I'm getting worse at this...)

So it looks like I completely forgot to update with last weeks results (whoops!)

Two weekends ago we headed to Meadows Equestrian Centre for our first Novice Dressage Test! Rocky got a pretty half decent score of 65% to come in 7th behind some pretty experienced riders so very happy! Then a quick spin round the 1.10m & 1.20m, unfortunately the atmosphere got the better of us and a couple of poles in each class.

During the week we had both a SJ Lesson & Dressage Lesson in prep for the upcoming Dengies, of which the Showjumping was yesterday, again a pole for Rocky and a pole for Max, so no luck with us at all!

Today was slightly more successful with our Riding Club SJ Team coming 2nd in the Indoor Team Championships!

In other news!

The AMAZING folks at the Equestrian World of Maynooth have chosen me to be supported as an Amateur Rider for the upcoming season! Very happy girl! Lets get these competitions started :D