So it had been a busy couple of weeks! Literally been on full blast! So to start off the fingers have been holding up to riding alright! So last week we started off with jumping the four in the 1.10m at summerhouse. They all jumped super and we had a really successful day! I only had one pole on Fintan and Ainle and they were both completely my fault and just getting a little too close to a fence. But still thrilled with the rounds I did. Excitingly Annabelle places 2nd, Alex 3rd, Fintan 6th and Ainle 9th out of a big and tough class! Really rewarding to have the placings and helped give us all a confidence boost!

Then the next day I took Ainle and Fintan to Dauntsey. They both ran well and I feel like both of my partnerships improved with them a lot. They both had a decent test and fintan went double clear sj and ainle had a pole yet again I got a bit excited with my striding on… But it is helping me learn so much! I flew some of the really technical combinations with Ainle but having no right rein because of 2 broken fingers caught to me so sadly we didn’t complete, but that is part of the territory and I feel like I still learned loads and Ainle and I benefitted as a partnership. Fintan and I had a great xc and it was a great confidence building round for us both. It felt really good to be back out eventing I am not going to lie.

Then the next day it was up again to take Annabelle cross country schooling in prep for Aston Le Walls. So we went off to Boomerang and took her for a spin around some combinations and fences. She was keen but absolutely amazing. Had felt like she had been xc loads in the last few months even though she hadn’t been xc since Feb!

Then it was on to Aston intermediate. I am not going to lie she heard the xc whistles when we were in the dressage warm up and pretty much told me to take a hike with all those dressage movement requests… It wasn’t our best test but it wasn’t our worst. She was definitely a bit spicy during it but she did the majority of everything I asked without a tantrum… Then it was on to Show Jumping and she jumped out of her skin! We had one pole at a big upright that I just didn’t feel comfortable taking the long stride at but as a result we got a tad close and she tapped it and had it down. Although loads of poles were flying so I was pleased! We then headed on to cross country and she felt incredible! We had an amazing clear and with the some time. I am thrilled as it was our fastest time to date, and I didn’t feel like my foot was to the floor. So I am super excited to get her out and about and see what else we can do.

Not a bad week when you can’t flex your fingers and have them in splints! It was definitely a full packed week but it was so much fun!

After Aston I went to the doctor to get my fingers checked to see if I still had to wear the splints… AND I am thrilled to say the SPLINTS ARE OFF!

So excited to have them off and get cracking with the horses with a right hand again!

Until Next time!

Sophie and the crew