20 Feb
I decided since there was space in the Pontispool training to just go along for some fun. No pressure, no designs to go anywhere, just have some fun and maybe try and jump a ditch successfully. But if he said no, then no it was.
And we had a lot of fun at the Arena eventing training with Natalie Passmore and Brent Knoll Riding Club
It's hard to believe that a couple of years ago we were storming around Pontispool BE confidently with thoughts of going up a level to then suddenly - as I guess can be the way with life - finding ourselves with a loading phobia, a ditch phobia, and scrabbling around XC with a ginger brain in full green 'dragons' mode....
I'd considered parking Eventing for the future and yesterday was just going to be a bit of fun for something different to do for Fred - so I'm delighted that Nat convinced Freddie to overcome his ditch phobia yesterday. Video footage of him jumping it in a combo without a second thought just like he used too.... Yes, my XC seat/position is rusty - but then we haven't really done much since 2022.
Also chuffed to bits that my Exo Cage which was a gift for me for my 30th when I was eventing Dream and is now the only 'legal' body protector I own has made a comeback. 16 years later, it still fits properly (no weight gain in 16 years phew!) and is actually more comfortable than the race safe.....
Thank you Kimberley Smith for taking us and supporting us xx