Jan Jubilantly Jetted Past

Dec Disappeared  Jan Jubilantly Jetted Past  February Frustrating 

Really where has the time gone ?

. 

We left 2015 and started 2016 with mud mud and more mud. 







Temp fencing erected to block off field corners that resembled more of a bog than a paddock

Bye bye sycamores bye bye: 
What a great scene this is. 
Makes my eyes light up and my mouth curl into a big smile. 
Once this is all cleared up I will have a safe paddock to use all year round. 




03.01.16 I had aimed to get all my house/horse/personal accounts done by Xmas but New Years day there I was attempting to access the lap top to tap the figures in 

Scales of Truth

Made a silly decision to stand on the scales post Xmas 
Oh My. 
My poor horses. 
Last of the Xmas treats scoffed and the diet began.
Smoothie maker purchased. 
Soup recipes gathered. 
The kitchen stocked up with veg fruit and nuts and the standard Jan cold relief !

When the Jan cold kicks in you can always rely on a little furry friend to give you sympathy 







25.01.16 Purchased some new digital scales just to make sure the other ones weren't broken as they are very old: I don't like them much they tell the truth and the truth does hurt.
I don't think I will be wearing my blue posh show jacket Me thinks it might be staying in the cupboard for the BD Regionals next month :( 

Our once a week walk round the village continues until the clocks change. Some have been quite adventurous in the rain and wind. Note to self put proper thermal trousers on next time its hailing not your thin work ones... brrrrrrr.

Jan Bargains: You have to don't you !!

I have found the little bundle of energy givers that is Chia. 
So easy to use and you can sprinkle them on almost anything you are eating. 
They even come mixed with fruits like blueberries. 
How did I not know about these before ?

Our healthy food orders always have to be inspected by Stumpy cat before we can open then 


07.01.16 Yet another pair of boots destroyed, or rather just one foot again. Honestly don't know how I manage it. They just seem to disintegrate after a few months. 
A friend reminded me on a FB post that I had some Seal Skinz Waterproof Socks. Luvly Jubly just the trick whilst I find time to buy some more wellies.
Posh thick waterproof socks inside leaking boots were a bit of a snug fit and when popping home for a quick snack there is no time for struggling with boot pulls. So a handy pair of plastic bags did the job. 


I also said a sad fair well to a pair of well worn waterproof trousers. Don't you hate it when your favourite clothes split. 

One of my online sales bargains said Berry in the description No I definitely have PINK not Berry feet now..... Really don't do girly pink and certainly not in public!!

Whilst I was buying wellies I added a few little items onto the list
Not really a treat if a necessary purchase. Nice, new and shiny so feels like a treat. 
Decided my Ariats need to be kept for best so got myself some cheapies.

They squeak like mad so hoping a good dose of Renapur will supple them up ready to wear in 

Also saved myself a few pennies by rejuvenating a pair of old work shoes with my Renapur gifts 

I went bra-tastic:

I decided it was time to revamp my entire bra collection for a more sporty support. 

I have always gone cheap and I am now paying for it. 
Gosh what a difference a good bra makes to your posture.. Why didn't I listen to that little tip ages ago! 

All of a sudden I find myself having a bra obsession.

Never been one to care what it looks like as long as it did what it needed to. On the odd occasion I would drag myself to m&s for a proper holder. Never cared for colour or anything fancy, in fact most of mine are a lovely off grey !! 

Took some advice from Less Bounce and looked into these ones. Wow what have I been missing. And my posture well that's a another story
I asked for support with padding for the rider (one on far left) one on the list was the S015F. 

Then I started checking out ebay and thought what the heck try a few variations as one ebay shop was selling at silly money (I assume old colours) 
I having been buying ebay out of the Shock Absorber 38Ds :) And when did I go up to that size eeek.. 


I have been trying out as many variations I can get my hands (boobs) on (into) from the sales. First prize goes to to the 4490 comfy with lots of support. 

The all black running version is ok but as its a pull over the straps cant be adjusted and I find they dig into my shoulders 




The S4490 isn't padded so I have got myself some separate inserts to slot into it to reduce that female tight fitted look (if you know what I mean) I prefer the double hooks on this one as well

27.01.16 So in the morning mainly due to being lazy I grabbed one of the grey off coloured dreary looking bras from my old pile. Its not a sports bra but a firm support make also offering a little bit of cleavage from a well known shop.
Wow what a 'bad' difference of old v new. 
Lets just say mucking out this morning I was all over the place !!!! 
Hadn't even noticed how much I was hitching and re-positioning every morning. This had obviously become a subconscious habit whilst bobbing up and down to pick up the poo in the stables.  

A fair few will be in the good bye pile

Did you know when running/exercising if in wrong size bra your nipple moves up to a inch, and 80% of women wear wrong size 
You should wear them for 3-4 times before washing (by hand). 
After 3-4 months you should fasten it tighter at the back (hence 2-3 lots of hooks and eyes). After 6 months you should be looking at getting rid

I found this very good quote online 
''Friday is like a bra… You did your job all week, now it’s time to take it off'

ACTION PLANS 

Team Quest Wacky Racers all registered for 2016. Team Quest and My Quest dates added to the diary and two new exciting members welcomed on board. 

British Dressage: Lots of reading up completed to get head round the new BD rules and adjustments. One good one for us is the Novice DTM will now be on score sheets and not qualification placings. A long way off getting the 68% minimum right now but that is a big 2016 dream. 

LegUpforTalent: Lots of emails fired off and lots of Facebook Amassador/Sponsorship opportunities applied for. 
Unfortunately our perfect supporting partners haven't been found yet. 
I had a few not so nice no replies which I have to say got me thinking why am I putting myself through this!! But I put on the Rhino skin and moved on. 
The LegUpforTalent scheme is still a big part of my equestrian adventures and I am very grateful for the continued support from RenaSan and Renapur. I still have big hopes that two of the companies still thinking about having me as their social media representatives sign up

Imperial Coffee

It is still a bit hit and miss with the Ginger Ninja. With the yukky weather it is hard to get going properly with him. 
We have walked round or rather slid in hand around the paddock a few times with his roller on. 
We also have soggy sore hooves. Hopefully our foot paste remedies will help with this 

Did you know Jan 12th was kiss a Ginger day: This pic always makes me giggle








Having deposited me just before Xmas I was still struggling with my broken fingers. So the worst one was strapped back up with super tape so I couldn't bend and twist it. I couldn't tape fingers together I needed to put gloves on to keep warm. 
Thanks to my FB friends some excellent tips were given to help me keep the tape clean so I could still go to work and tap away at the keyboard without the horse poo stains and smells
We cut up an old pair of rubber gloves and taped on the finger section with electric tape before mucking out. Then took off before work and reapplied once back at the yard. Great tip    

31.01.16 Bad timing from me I sent my Photizo unit back to get a battery replacement
Only I can re bust my finger opening an envelope ... ouchy sore finger


13.01.16 Global Herbs published my review on FB: 
I am still feeding the Ninja Brewers Yeast. 
We had a bit of a set back at the last Dressage outing but that was other issues kicking in (excuse the pun). 
Ground manners remain so much better and his stable is nice and clean (most mornings)


Mumaathel 
The superstar was crowned RoR Series winner for 2015 for the West Region
RoR split each region into UA and UA/BD mix so two winners were crowned per region
We were also the highest points accumulator over all regions. I didn't get any recognition for this. but, I am shouting it from the roof tops to anyone that will listen as I am so super proud of his consistent results throughout 2015

RoR is such a lovely community to be part of. We had an amazing time all over Facebook chatting and congratulating all the winners. 

All the top ten regional placings have earnt themselves a ticket to the RoR National Championships show in August at Aintree

The cat gave her approval to the rug !!








My best bargain by far was to do a product test for Daydream Equine Art. 
I purchased an Ipad case with one the pics Rose took at the CRC Championships

17.01.16 After our little Xmas holiday we ventured off to Sparsholt, His fav venue, to do two prelims. We needed two more Q scores for their own UA Championships. 
Weather was not kind !! and Alfie's idea of standing in the trailer for results wasn't fun 

Another FB tip from a friend for keeping that little bit warmer was to use a piece of string/baling twine and tie in round your waist over the coat to trap the air inside. 
Genius idea. 







We cant do everything but it was a real downer to find out one of my favourite UA championships clashed with already planned diary dates. Addington was late announcing their UA championship winter date, to be honest we all thought they were going to postpone again. But there it was in the online calendar... the same day as the Sparsholt UA Championships I had been working so had to qualify for 

Unfortunately with no chance of me getting to grips with N39 before April the decision was an easy one. Stay with Sparsholt. 
But then curve ball ................ I decided I wouldnt hurry through the Sparsholt Novice Qualifiers as the Championship test was again one we have never seen and it wasn't an easy one.  

They are both running P17.... who do I choose. Sparsholt is Alfie's favorite venue or Addington that has the Racehorse section running alongside each class. 

Happy in retirement 

My gorgeous girl Mugwump lives at a friend's yard and she is keeping the youngsters organised.
It was great to go over and have some cuddles, after we had worked our way up the steep hill and through the mud. 
Not bad looking for 22yrs old 
She does love her own space and when the carrots ran out off she went !

Forever Augustus 

Homebred out of my KWPN jumping mare, Ultima M
Facebook memories showed me some lovely pictures of our boy Gus who will lost far too soon. .
I have been in contact with a photographer that was snapping at his first posh show in 2011. We had an absolute ball that day. As an entire male he did struggle to contain all his excitement being round all the ladies, but as always a gentleman to handle. 
The photographer isn't snapping anymore, but he has found the pictures, just waiting for the proofs to choose from. I will probably buy the lot as I don't have many pics of him all posh and posy.

Recycling 

Our recycling continues. 
All the short seedy bits of the hay the horses wont eat go off to the chickens to pick through. They love their hay deliveries  

We have one bald Chuck at the mo so I have borrowed the Horses RenaSan to give her a spray to keep her pecked areas infection free

I end my Jan blog with these lyrics 

A lovely way to sum up my journey as I picture my boys doing what they do best enjoying grass together. No worries just simple eating smile emoticon

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you wanna go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile.
But more than anything, more than anything
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small

Songwriters: STEELE/ROBSON

The Legupfortalent programme offers potential sponsors an unprecedented social media marketing service!

What can I do for the potential sponsor to develop brand awareness and new business opportunities?

Gaelann East and the team would welcome the opportunity of discussing how you would like to provide a level of sponsorship, which could be providing finances, products, services and/or training. 

Finding sponsorship will mean we can continue our passion for competing and moving up to a higher level in 2016

I will actively talk about sponsors via social media in a professional and enthusiastic manner, plus photos and videos of showing off sponsors clothing.

Why not visit and view the latest posts to my Facebook page + FB Friends + YouTube channel + Twitter  etc

OPPORTUNITIES

Equestrian sport is my passion but is also an expensive and time-consuming sport.
Even basic costs like the fuel needed to get to competitions are growing rapidly.
Sponsorship/support is really appreciated from products (clothing or equipment) to financial support towards livery, daily care of my horses or competition costs. 

Why choose us?
Why sponsor an amateur rider?
What are the benefits of sponsorship? 
What will the business gain?
Who are your products/services aimed at ? 
Professionals or the amateur everyday rider.  
Supporting us will gain active promotion of your business / product / service in a number of different ways. 
As a regular competitive rider and regular volunteer at local shows I can deliver your company, products and/or services to a wide range of people. 
Also incorporating  the number of visitors to my Sway, Google, Website and Facebook pages   

I can offer

Link to your website and/or Facebook page on my website with a short description of your business/product/service
Promotion of your product/service/business on my pages including a link
Promotion codes and competitions on my pages to increase exposure and interest
Leaflets, business cards, promotion codes and other advertising materials can be taken for display and distribution at events.
Trailer and car promotion displays
Any write ups in the press and local media will be informed of my sponsors  
Reviews of products and services, either new or existing
Opportunities to promote your company or particular products through 'like and share' competitions on our Facebook page
Company logo displayed during competitions, events, lessons/clinics and general day to day activities eg. on saddle cloths, rugs and rider’s or groom’s clothing
High quality photographs and sometimes videos of your products and sponsored items in action
My horses and I will be available for any marketing needs for you company for example photo shoots. Along with this I would give permission for my name and image to be used by your company  
Regular updates with photos/videos, successes and achievements which can be shared on your website, Facebook page

Can you afford not to have us on your team ?

Time for a giggle N23

Time for a giggle.. serious giggle mind.... Nov 23 test arrived in the post from Sparsholt EC. 

Glad I left an envelope despite thinking it wasn't worth the read when we were travelling home that day.
It was a low marking class but I felt judge was very fair and generally comments reflected marks.

A little disappointing with the 4 for my first attempt of Med Trot change rein, but if it looked as awful as it felt, then justified I guess, although he didn't break the trot just got very heavy in front and the next attempt got a 5.5. We know we dont have that established by a long way as yet. It will come when Alfie works out what is needed.

He did hollow in his canter G&R and I felt out of control in the first Med canter back to working trans. Considering in the second Med where I totally lost it, instead of coming back to working canter we crashed back down to trot so the 4 was generous for the one.

I love the understated comment at the end halt 'Needs to be more att in halt' I wonder what gave that away the slamming on the brakes when nothing happened when I politely asked or the quarters swinging to one side as horses head comes up to see what is going on elsewhere.

The bad bits were bad but not all the test was bad. A few 7s dropped in for the trot
The giggle moment of reading the test was the walk 7s whooo hooooo. Put my finger on the line to read across just to make sure they had made their way onto the sheet. Yes indeed 7s for our walk.
Does this mean we have finally got a walk worthy of a dressage test... Watch this space and all hooves crossed this is the start of great walking

Naughty Ninja

The Orange Ninja has been up to tricks again

Digging holes in his bed at night

Helping out with the rug organizing

Designed his own turn out rug ventilation

Then designed his own off the wither look turn out rug

Getting himself into places he should not be
For such a small scratch this one produced quite a lot of blood

You have to be careful as he is always playing with wheelbarrows.
I left the full one unattended for only a minute whilst I got the fork to spread the bedding

Then gives me that innocent eye and all is forgiven

Renapur Review

Being Part of the legupfortalent progamme means I get lovely goodies from Renapur

I have always used the cleaner and try to get the Balsam when on offer at a show but now I have my own special pack to keep me going. 

Along with the RenaSan goodies I have already received my tack is fully protected from all the elements

The Leather Cleaner is great natural way to clean and doesn’t strip away the leather. Although I do have to admit I forget to dilute it when I am in a hurry and as it’s effective with up to 50 times water I really should be more savvy

In the damp wet conditions I firstly spray with Renasan and wipe off all that horrid stitch eating mould you find. 

That furry stuff seems to suddenly spring out of nowhere when you got put your tack on.

The Renapur Leather Balsam is fantastic for that older tack that needs some tlc and nourishment. 

I was about to throw away a drop noseband and a pair of spur straps I thought were coming to the ends of their days. 

After two treatments of the Balsam both items have been restored and could even be passed as part of my good tack rather than my tattier working tack

Hands as soft as Balsam !

The hands that do leather are as soft as your chaps with mild natural balsam

A little goes a long way with all these products and after cleaning your tack your hands don’t feel dry and rough. The Jojoba oil and Avocado oil does a mean job of conditioning my skin as well.

The Balsam has polished up and waterproofed my leather show chaps and boots to perfection, even giving them that new look.

I have a few items I have had in storage and some items from a friend that have been stored in a bundle so the first job before posting sale pics will be to restore their softness and make them look as good as new.  

  

Bye bye those days of polish n buff with sweat and arm ache to get a shine

One product I haven’t used before is the Renapur Hi-Shine. This is Carnauba wax, derived from the leaves of the Copernicia Prunifera a Brazilian palm plant. It also contains a mild cleansing agent to dissolve surface grease and grime and tea tree oil to actively protect your leather and stitching by killing the spores of mould or mildew.

I have had a little tester session on my show bridle and it gives a strong natural shine with hardly any effort from me.

I am saving the rest for 2016 for when my RoR showing season begins

 

 

Not having much spare cash around I keep odd pairs of boots in a cupboard at home, much to my husband amusement as I am forever wearing out the same foot. 

But I have finally after years of saving lots of left boots made up a pair to keep me going.

Ok so one is black and one is brown but who is going to see me mucking out in the winter darkness

Thanks to Renapur I have given a left boot back new life and kept a right boot going a little bit longer for this winter. 

Last week on Face Book Renapur announced a Suede, Nubuck Protector. So that needs to go on my Xmas list for my chaps and dressage saddle

November Catch Up with a few Mumaathel outings

November has been jam packed for myself and Alfie.

As the wind starts to blow the leaves and helicopters off the trees my mornings and weekends have been spent raking up the fields so the horse's don't eat any of those horrid poisons.
When we notice more helicopters than we can handle at any one time blowing onto the fields we add a dose of Charcoal to the feeds to help mop up any toxins that might get into their system. 
Dad kindly paid for all the paddock trees to have a much needed trim back this year. I have noticed such a big difference. I feel so much happier and more confident that my fields are a much safer place for the horses to be. 

 

          Outfit Blog on FB 







We have been showing off some of our fab outfits from Premier Equine. We have been so lucky winning such a massive competition. The full wardrobe for myself and Alfie has been a really fantastic early Xmas Pressie. Both me and the horses only get a new wardrobe when friends give us clothes they no longer want / need or if we can find bargain discount brands to buy. So to get a full brand spanking sparkling new wardrobe for us both was an absolutely smashing surprise.

Alfie decided to help the farrier again this month by taking his front shoe off. 
Luckily only a day's wait before new shoes were due. 
So on went the boot just to make sure no bruising occurred.







We had a bit of a scary moment  one day when stray happy birthday helium balloons landed in the field next door. A lot of snorting and running around but luckily no accidents/injuries to horses or fencing.
******** Did you know Helium is an irreplaceable element used for MRIs

Started our new walking routine with hubby (without Alfie). Just once a week round the village after work. But it was a good excuse to pop into the Sports Direct Sales and treat myself to some walking boots and his n hers florescent jackets. 
Xmas pressies sorted. Gosh we know how to treat ourselves ahahhahahahhaaaaahhha

My car was broken into so that meant November was a tad expensive with a new back window unit needed for my car. Luckily Dad let me use the Terrano to get to work so I didn't need to hire a car. Still really annoying, why anyone would go onto a private drive that has a security light on, and have the nerve to smash and grab whilst the residents were in. They didn't get my handbag but they got a bag with my diary in it which I live and breath by. The bag also had a few personnel details within some of the paperwork as I had been sorting out the house insurance that day. Then I realized they had got away with my vouchers Alfie had won at various shows. No value to anyone else but to me over £100 of vouchers towards entries I was about to send off. 
Although I had to go through all the worry and panic, November has been a very lucky month. The bag was thrown over a garden wall down a local footpath and thanks to a plea on facebook I got the bag and its contents back. All a bit soggy from the downpours but once dried out all the vouchers were still use-able. PHEW


When I added up how much the Stromsholm vouchers were worth I was speechless. 

Clever Alfie only managed to win a new outfit for me hubby and dad, as well as a few items for his hoof care. 

As part of the Legupfortalent Scheme we are given a Renapur pack of goodies. 
I have been spraying all my leather with RenaSan due to the damp mould starting to settle around the stitching. 
A few blasts of the spray and we bid farewell to the mould. 
With dark evenings preventing me from riding all my tack has had some much needed TLC and my boots have had a good buff with Renapur to add a much needed waterproof layer. 

One boot may be black and the other brown but no one will notice in the dark 
Hubby laughs 'cause I have a cupboard full of odd boots. well the collection has paid off, I have made a new 'old' pair. Every penny saved = more pennies for pony playtime.



Alfie has been busy competing gather RoR League points
We had our final draft run through of our new DTM floorplan at the RoR clinic. Can't wait to get my finished CD back from Amanda Birch Dressage Music
We have been out attempting the odd Novice test Unaffiliated with some lovely comments from the judges. 

We had a few Racehorse moments at our last BD comp of the year. Luckily we didn't need those last minute regional points. Wasn't quite the high we wanted to leave 2015 with but its all good experience.

Mr A was struggling more than normal with his straightness so being unsettled generally created tightness in both tests. I was quite hard on myself and Alfie in the warm up as things werent going to plan, but we did stick to the plan, just about, and found some togetherness eventually. Although we never truly secured the confidence through into the contact. 

After the show we watched the Video (such a valuable tool). It wasnt all that bad, some good work on the left rein and some good canter work. I reminded myself we had a 3rd and 4th at the same venue the week before. So I told myself If I end a bad day on 64% that's not exactly disastrous... Just feels like it when you are there at the time and that horrid free walk jig jog reappears after a long absence!!