Rhapsody has changed quite a bit in that time with the continued support of both Andrew Murphy (his training has continued along the path that we began last year before London and he has muscled up quite a bit) and Gill Maybury, who has been keeping Rhapsody's back in tip top shape.
The results of that are: he is finding the work easier now that he is stronger – but his saddle no longer fits him! Ellie Martin from The Bespoke Saddle Company came out to have a look and took the saddle away to make some necessary alterations. A week without it meant we had an easy spell but this is the right time of year to get all these kind of things sorted. It is such a great saddle and now back, it feels fab!
We have not been out to any competitions recently – instead continuing when possible to box across Reigate to use the 20x60 school and get some decent work into Rhaps. I have been concentrating on my own fitness too – pilates classes take place in the sports hall at work and so there is really no excuse. The exercises have pinpointed some interesting aspects of my 'one sided-ness' - apart from the obvious ones, and have spurred me on to deal with these issues - work in progress!
Its a difficult time of year with the daylight hours getting shorter and shorter. Having a 9-5 job this has meant totally changing our routine from riding in the evenings to riding before work which has worked well for the past couple of weeks but sunrise is getting later and later… so we will do our best till the tables turn again on the 21st December! Before then Rhaps has another date with Andrew…