The rest of the week has been fairly quiet, filled with incredibly boring uni’ classes and some work on the barrel. I had a school visit on Wednesday, teaching children about healthy gums and teeth with Mattie and Greg from uni’. It went really well and the three of us had a great time with the class.
I had Friday off so spent it at home. Dad was there too, so we had a catch-up about his time away and the things he had learned at the judges' conference in Switzerland. It was really good and he had some tips and gossip from the international circuit. This week he taught a vaulting course in Birmingham about judging and freestyle. He had quite a laugh and kept making Rosie Howard – who once competed internationally on Brock but is now a coach – do demo’s for him on the floor. Rosie also does displays with Jive Pony all across the country so still vaults herself with Rebecca Townsend, who was British female champion for seven years just before I really got into vaulting. They do tricks and stunts as well, I really need to go and watch them sometime, it looks like great fun. Horse Hero have made a video of Rosie doing tricks training.
We then headed out for a vaulting session on Henry specifically for freestyle. All did not go well. Initially it was just bad - rough round the edges, over time and not very pretty. Then came the good one with music, and Hannah filming from the middle so we could play back in the house and pick up on what needed improvement. Three moves from the end and I did a spin… well, about two seconds later with a massive thump I was on the ground on the outside of the circle, smacked down on my bum with my shoulders thudding off the wall. I have to admit I let out a bit of a yelp. Hannah’s face was hilarious - the look of horror! They thought I’d broken my arm the way I was lying in a heap - not pretty. Anyway eventually I got up, convinced them it really was just my bum which was sore and carried on. Thereafter, I was massively depressed and nothing was working. Hannah tried to knock her teeth out on the roller but I won for the most dramatic stunt. Back in the house we watched the playback. Dad enjoyed my fall in slow motion again and again, and the fall which came after. I was seriously not amused!
In the evening I drove Mum and Hannah to Glasgow for dinner with my godmother, Auntie Heather, and her daughter Lesley. I couldn’t have chosen a busier, louder restaurant. It was Di Maggio’s - they have really good food but the queue was out of the door and onto the street - luckily I booked. It was a very good night and as I hadn’t seen them in about four years, it was good fun to catch up and hear stories and just have a good night out. I also got another 21st present, a Royal Dalton ornament, which is very beautiful. An ornament was one of the things I really wanted to get and hadn‘t so, I was pleased. It was rather quiet by the time we left, Hannah drove us home which made a lovely change as I am usually chauffeur!
This morning we trained again, but on Henry and Anton. It was better, not to begin with but by the end so I’m happier today! We still have the video footage to watch later. Anton was allowed out to vault today and was very good. Amanda had been up training with Andrew and Tyke on Thursday night, and was hacking Brock this morning, so they have all been out for some exercise. We got in from training and my Auntie Ella was here and had brought me a birthday present. It’s a Coalport ornament and is so beautiful. I’m very lucky now to have two.
I’m still fundraising for my half marathon on the 21st of March which is all part of raising money to get the horses to WEG, so if anyone is feeling kind you can donate on my website! There is a link on my biog page. Many thanks.