During these unusual and uncertain times, I feel incredibly fortunate that not only am I still working, but am also still able to go to the yard and look after Skye, doing work with him in hand and lungeing - even if, for the moment, I am not riding. With the internationals that I had vaguely pencilled in all cancelled, and no idea when we will be able to start training again with Andrew J Murphy, this unprecedented hiatus is a very odd feeling.
It struck me recently that for the past 14 years or more, I have constantly been aiming for and working towards a major competition. As soon as one was over, plans immediately began for the next one and so on. Sometimes it seemed impossible - when I didn't have a horse; sometimes it was impossible - when I didn't have enough rankings list points and always - never enough money! All the training, planning, organising, emails, competing, logistics, more planning, more training - liaising with Regine in the VI while burning the midnight oil, and never quite enough time for it all to feel totally under control and yet most of the time coming right at the 11th hour.
It has put a lot of pressure on me. Actually - the truth is - I have put a lot of pressure on me!
But I love it and would do it all again tomorrow in a heartbeat!
Still - I am sure I am not the only one who has recently taken a step back from our personal hamster wheels we have been living in and considered how we can make it better when we gradually regain some of our freedom. Dare I say it...retaining the positive aspects of lockdown life even? Slowing down a bit and having time - time to contact all our friends, time to read, time to be more observant, time to do all the things that you never normally have time for!! Of course I'm talking about the things you want to do - not spring cleaning the garage kind of things!! Important things!!
The work I have been doing with Skye in hand - and bearing in mind it is fairly simple as I am learning too - has made a noticeable improvement in his edginess. It is as though he has taken a deep breath, relaxed his shoulders and his jaw (as my pilates teacher always reminds us!) and decided that he does not constantly have to do an impression of a blue arsed fly or stay forever on high alert for the sudden appearance of the Horse Catcher! He seems more chilled and I can't wait to start riding and training again to test his new found Zen!
As I said in last month's blog - discovering what was causing Skye's discomfort was no easy task. Mine on the other hand was simple when I finally persuaded them to give me an MRI. The result confirmed that - as well as fracturing my pelvis in my fall last June - I had also fractured two vertebrae!! Wedge fractures caused by trauma which are still healing. This explains a lot, not least of which my sudden loss of height - 1 and a half inches no less! Ever since day one and for the past 9+ months I tried to tell them that my back is the problem.. the pelvis more of an inconvenience which has long since disappeared - but no one would listen... grrrr!
SO... I am now on a mission consisting of 'better late than never' exercises to get my back moving again - all the exercises I was previously advised to avoid. They say I can't do any damage and to just work through the pain - I hope it works. The positive part of this though is.. I now have a plan. And who doesn't love a plan!!
Stay well everyone and I look forward to us all coming through these tough times to laugh, ride, sing and dance together again!! Cheers my friends. xxx
It struck me recently that for the past 14 years or more, I have constantly been aiming for and working towards a major competition. As soon as one was over, plans immediately began for the next one and so on. Sometimes it seemed impossible - when I didn't have a horse; sometimes it was impossible - when I didn't have enough rankings list points and always - never enough money! All the training, planning, organising, emails, competing, logistics, more planning, more training - liaising with Regine in the VI while burning the midnight oil, and never quite enough time for it all to feel totally under control and yet most of the time coming right at the 11th hour.
It has put a lot of pressure on me. Actually - the truth is - I have put a lot of pressure on me!
But I love it and would do it all again tomorrow in a heartbeat!
Still - I am sure I am not the only one who has recently taken a step back from our personal hamster wheels we have been living in and considered how we can make it better when we gradually regain some of our freedom. Dare I say it...retaining the positive aspects of lockdown life even? Slowing down a bit and having time - time to contact all our friends, time to read, time to be more observant, time to do all the things that you never normally have time for!! Of course I'm talking about the things you want to do - not spring cleaning the garage kind of things!! Important things!!
The work I have been doing with Skye in hand - and bearing in mind it is fairly simple as I am learning too - has made a noticeable improvement in his edginess. It is as though he has taken a deep breath, relaxed his shoulders and his jaw (as my pilates teacher always reminds us!) and decided that he does not constantly have to do an impression of a blue arsed fly or stay forever on high alert for the sudden appearance of the Horse Catcher! He seems more chilled and I can't wait to start riding and training again to test his new found Zen!
As I said in last month's blog - discovering what was causing Skye's discomfort was no easy task. Mine on the other hand was simple when I finally persuaded them to give me an MRI. The result confirmed that - as well as fracturing my pelvis in my fall last June - I had also fractured two vertebrae!! Wedge fractures caused by trauma which are still healing. This explains a lot, not least of which my sudden loss of height - 1 and a half inches no less! Ever since day one and for the past 9+ months I tried to tell them that my back is the problem.. the pelvis more of an inconvenience which has long since disappeared - but no one would listen... grrrr!
SO... I am now on a mission consisting of 'better late than never' exercises to get my back moving again - all the exercises I was previously advised to avoid. They say I can't do any damage and to just work through the pain - I hope it works. The positive part of this though is.. I now have a plan. And who doesn't love a plan!!
Stay well everyone and I look forward to us all coming through these tough times to laugh, ride, sing and dance together again!! Cheers my friends. xxx
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