Well they say when the going gets tough the tough get going… Well the last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind and I have been cracking on with the horses.

They have all been coming on leaps and bounds and I feel like I am getting fitter and stronger as well. I have been going to Spin class to help with my cardio while being low impact on my knees. As well as core and strength training so I can ride all of these fit horses!

I have also had a couple splat moments as we all do with horses. It just comes with the territory… But as a result of going splat the last time, the reins unfortunately wrapped around my index and middle finger of my right hand and broke them… Which of course is not ideal when riding to not be able to use two fingers… So typical me I forged ahead and went 2 out of 3 isn’t bad! So the day after I saw the specialist and was put in splints I was back on a horse. Even though doctors said I probably shouldn’t ride for about three weeks… I then not even a week later tried to take the boys to Chepstow (in hindsight probably not my brightest idea). I got through all of Alex’s BE100 rounds which went well and I had loads of fun with him! But by the end was quite sore in my right hand. So I got on and did dressage on Fintan and Ainle to see how it felt. After the last dressage test my hand was spent and I could barely use it so I made the call to withdraw them for safety’s sake and to not do anymore damage to my hand. It was still a fun day even though very HOT! I feel so lucky with my support team as all the girls on the yard, my parents, and my coach Nick have been so supportive. They have helped me keep the balance of riding but not pushing my body so hard that I will make it worse. It is times like these where you really appreciate the village that surrounds you, as I couldn’t do any of this without them and my Sponsors.

Our sport is incredibly difficult and taxing and it really takes a village to get where we want to go. Between the owners, parents, coach, vet, farrier, physio, nutritionist, sponsors, etc. for both the horse and rider it is a big village! No rider would be where they are today without their village and it is in the downs of our sport that you see who is there no matter what. The downs make the highs so worth it and it is why every rider works as hard as they do. I feel like I have to say a big thank you to my village as I am having to lean on them more than I would like to in order to take care of myself and be back out there as quickly as I can.

I will be riding and taking it easy for a week or so to gear up for our next competition. That way I can hopefully have more than just a little strength in my right hand! Onwards and upwards and in the meantime I am doing everything I can off the horse to prep for being on the horse (as I type this I am just using my last two fingers and thumb to type… surprisingly not as slow as I thought I would be!).

Thank you to my village again!!!! Onwards and upwards! Until next time!

Sophie

Annabelle, Fintan, Ainle, Feyre, Alex, Diarmid, Fenrys and Faelin