Round Up - 2024

There have been lovely updates on so many horses but the star of the show this year was Chamfron by Dand, 462 km in 2024, three successful 80km rides, gaining his Gold final and then winner of the two day 60km at the Championships.  From a very ill foal to a veteran still improving and still out enjoying his endurance rides, I am not one to hold a grudge (ha, anyone that knows me, knows I hold a grudge to eternity!) but this season proved the Red Dragon last year was a joke, or at least a very poor decision.  Anyway, next year he gets to step back and nanny Cactus round some pleasures, or one, dependant on how the first goes... 

Why do I do these reviews mid winter, it is difficult not to be somewhat flat, though so far the weather has been kind and the boys (Cactus and Spider) are happy and well.  I have aimed to move a little more this year and have managed an additional 300 miles compared with last year, that said the last three months have been very sluggish and once again I need to do more (much more) to try and offset the weight gain.

I'm always a little bemused how often people underestimate me but this year has been an absolute belter for everyone and all their neighbours having an opinion.  I have to remind myself that being underestimated is generally an advantage and with regards to a certain house sale I knew exactly what I was doing!  There are no more house sales planned for at least the next decade.

At times I felt I lost myself a little in 2024 and I'm not planning on that carrying on in 2025, it's not "New Year, New You" it is back to being "Me".

Chamfron Outings

Chamfron Tizona has been out around the Forest of Dean with the Offas Dyke EGB group and Chamfron Toledo has been to his first arena event, jumping a double clear and qualifying for 80cm ACE championships.

Keep Moving - Week 52

Back to mild weather this week (fifteen degrees in late December) so I managed to ride more and we had a walk around Edinburgh after dinner on Christmas Day.  I picked an old favourite of a dress for dinner, a taupe cashmere that has seen many Christmases, then I started to laugh as I looked in the mirror, it looked exactly like an over full tattie sack tied in the middle with string, my late forties have not been kind to my waistline.  Did a new to us walk on Friday, up the South Esk from Temple to Goreglen then we got lots of miles in walking around Edinburgh and along the water of leith on Saturday.  We did manage a cocktail stop or two and lunch at Fazendas.  We finished off in the Polar Ice Bar, drinking our vodka in frozen glasses (which then get recycled to top up the ice rink further along George street) and posing with the ice sculptures.

Festive ponies

 

The Christmas Cactus

Keep Moving - Week 51

A little more effort made this week, we stormed up Traprain on Sunday afternoon, a couple of railway walks then a day workshop with Lorraine at Equine Translation working on my position and hip aids.  Have managed three evenings out so practically a social butterfly too.  

“May you find peace in the promise of the solstice night, 

That each day forward is blessed with more light. 

That the cycle of nature, unbroken and true, 

brings faith to your soul and wellbeing to you. 

Rejoice in the darkness, in the silence find rest, 

and may the days that follow be abundantly blessed” 

Festive brother and Sister

Keep Moving - Week 50

I've hardly moved at all this week and chatting to others many of us are feeling utterly washed out, I could go to bed at 8pm and most of me hurts.  Not entirely sure it is weather related as to be fair it's been quite a dry winter so far.  We are firmly on the run up to the shortest day now though.  So mostly this week I have sat with a mulled wine and watched the great garden renovation (to be continued!)

Wintery Chamfrons

 

Keep Moving - Week 49

Monday saw us head off down the coast to the secluded and lovely River Lodge on Egton Manor Estate, to offset all the good food pubs within walking distance we did a fair bit of sightseeing, taking in Robin Hood's Bay (Lovely), Whitby (Nice) and Scarborough (yeah, they were setting the homeless people's tents alight and the best bit was probably the squirrels, maybe the rats, wouldn't rush back!)  Stopped for a stroll on Lindisfarne on the way home.