Well, I think the title gives it away: I fell off again!
In my new year’s blog, I noted that I had fallen off Arlo for the first time since owning him for the last five years, and yet somehow I’ve now managed to fall off him twice in three weeks. You really couldn’t make it up.
I was out with the Readyfield bloodhounds again. I’ve been out with them now a few times this season. They really are a great bunch and I always have a lot of fun – I recommend them for anyone looking to get out.
The meet started well: a tipple of port and a slice of homemade cake – what more could you want? We were only five minutes into the start of the ride when Arlo and I hit the deck, and it wasn’t his fault. We got completely taken out by a loose horse.
Arlo was particularly keen this day. I rarely can’t stop him, but he wanted to be near the front and we had quite the interesting start. It was made even more interesting when a loose horse came hurtling towards us and put both of us, quite firmly, on the floor. It all happened ever so quickly, but poor Arlo just couldn’t stand up on the concrete we were on when it happened. The only thing I can vividly remember is a hoof coming towards my head when I was on the floor as he scrambled up, fortunately missing me.
I quickly got up but, unfortunately, in a shocked panic, he’d already galloped off after the loose horse and the rest of the hunt. Panic ensued, as I’m sure you can imagine. It really is such a worry when you have a loose horse near a road. And with no regards to myself, I was quickly up on my feet, running across fields to get to him, and it was such a relief when I saw the quad had managed to catch him in the distance. But I kept running until I was eventually with him.
Fortunately, he was mainly in one piece. He had bit his tongue, but other than that was unscathed and I was happy to carry on with him. I, on the other hand, had an injured hand and wrist, a bruised bum and a bruised leg. But I didn’t really realise until the end of the hunt and the adrenaline started wearing off – you know what us equestrians are like.
Anyway, after a dramatic start, we had a great day out. In fact, it was one of my favourite hunts to date. I always go by myself and I met the loveliest people. Lots of port was consumed and Arlo and I got a little braver with our jumping again. You really can’t beat being out in the sunshine with the hounds and the horses.
We’re already looking forward to next time.
Once again I threw Arlo in at the deep end, affiliating him purely for the Arena UK second round show, and once again he pulled it out the bag. How lucky am I to have such a wonderful little horse? We haven’t really competed this year. I don’t really compete over the winter, and also my horsebox was away for repairs up until the beginning of June, so I had no transport even if I’d wanted to.
With the dry ground we don’t seem to be having much luck with shoes, as little madam managed to pull both her front shoes off within 12 hours the other day! We entered the arena with two shoes on for a schooling session and left it with one missing (took about an hour to find it). Then that afternoon, as I went to put some hoof ointment on, I looked down and had to double take, thinking I was looking at the wrong hoof. But, no, the other shoe was missing too.
After having a long wait and some lunch at the onsite café, it was time to get ready for the Joan Wolfe Overall Supreme Shetland Pony Championship. I got changed out of my usual showing outfit into black trousers and a maroon top with white spots, as you are expected to be a bit more “bling” in the evening.
We were all set to go for our next outing, and were super excited. That was until I heard the dreaded clunk of a loose shoe! I checked it over, praying it wasn’t too loose, but, nope, it was going to need a refit.