These last few weeks have literally flown by! I have also really started to miss writing, so I thought lets get back to blogging consistently! Since September it really has been go go go! I started my second year at Hartpury, did my first CIC two star in Poland at Strzegom, riding and maintaining my three horses, been reading equine exercise physiology and working on upcoming assignments which will be due before the christmas break, as well as working as a Hartpury ambassador and other bits and bobs in between all that. So you could say it has been busy, but you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think even though it has been busy, it has been with things I truly enjoy and have fun with.

 

Starting my second year at Hartpury is scary! Exciting and fun but scary… I can’t believe that I am 1. a second year university student, 2. almost halfway through that year, and 3. Dissertation proposal hand in is next spring! That is a very real and scary truth… Many of my friends are still in the denial phase that dissertation isn’t that close and we still have loads of time until we need to know what we want to do. I have now hit the “oh man I need to start moving or I won’t be prepared” stage. I don’t know if that counts as a stage but it does in my book so we will just roll with it. But overall second year has been really fun and I am loving my classes. I am currently taking Equine Exercise Physiology, New Venture Creation and Advanced Equitation this semester. They are all really interesting and will help me with my career goals and knowledge. I will post any interesting findings or info I come across in my studies!

 

I will do a separate blog about my trip to Poland which was AMAZING and I want to do it justice so I will cover that at another time. So moving on… having Annabelle, Fintan and Feyre at Nick Gauntlets has been great. It is a lovely environment for the horses. They have been loving going out in the field and we have been lucky to have decent weather to leave them out, until the last few days… The joys of english rain and overcast skies… The fields have gotten a bit wet and chewed up, in order to hopefully be able to use them later in the month we are resting them so they don’t turn into mud baths. Although Fintan and Feyre both seemed to have found the muddy patches while they were out last and roll thoroughly in them… Let’s just say I was not a happy chappy when I had to bring them in from the field! But we are lucky enough to have an all weather school as well as gallops so even if we get some rain its still possible to ride outside and let them have a change of scenery. Our season is now over and we are looking to do some show jumping and dressage competitions over winter to keep us sharp and get us ready for the 2017 show season. So I have that to look forward too in between training and school. I am also hoping it will stop Annabelle from killing me over winter because she doesn’t get to go cross country or eventing until February/March. My fingers and toes are crossed that’s the case, and if you don’t hear from me for awhile, you can assume she has indeed killed me because I am not doing enough with her to keep her happy. Those of you who know Annabelle know this is definitely a real possibility with this passionate, dominant, and feisty mare. I am very grateful that Fintan and Feyre are a lot more laid back about competitions and their schedules than Annabelle. I will keep the blog up to date on how the winter training is going and whats coming up!  

 

Lastly being a Hartpury Ambassador has been really fun. I get to go to events and talk to future students or students and families that are interested in Hartpury. I also just help with tours of campus and if anyone wants information on what its like to be an international student as well as an equine student. If you are reading this and you do have any questions I am more than happy to answer them! Just shoot me an email at cooper1910@gmail.com and I will do my best to answer your questions!

 

Until next time! 🙂 

Sophie, Annabelle, Fintan, Feyre, and Ainle (in spirit since he is still in Cali)