It’s been quite a while since I have written a blog here, let’s just say, since COVID-19 I’ve had a nice break away from my laptop!

As lockdown starts to ease, let’s talk about how it has affected us here at Eventful Eventing. So just before lockdown I started to work from home, which was lovely as it cuts out the big commute which takes up around 3+ hours a day, so this allowed me to have more time with the horses. So before work, me and Cino would go for a long rein around the block, and after work, me and Bailey had a ride. Then boom, lockdown hit and I was furloughed, which has really opened my eyes, and makes me sooo grateful for what I have and where I live. I did still hack bailey out and did a bit of schooling work and some small jumping, but I didn’t want to push us too hard, to keep the pressure of the NHS.

Looking back, I wish I done more around the stables but when the weather is that hot it really sucks the motivation out of me. But I did do one thing that I’ve been putting off for a very long time now and that was to wash the trailer, inside and out, which I really should do a lot more often as it took 2 hours! But it’s very nice and clean now. My tack had a deep clean too, and all my saddle cloths are now organised in colour order.

So now that lockdown is easing and venues are starting to reopen, but with a socially distanced approach, we are falling into the ‘new normal’; new ways of training and socialising, new ways of competing by doing more virtual shows, and the new ‘normal’ way that shows will run.

This year, the plan was to really push ourselves out eventing by doing at least one a month and finishing the season on completing at least one BE100. Whereas now I can’t see myself doing an event this year, because even if BE does start back up again, it’s now out of scope for my budget. But this just means I need to make the most of this year and turn it into a fun year by adventuring out and going places we haven’t been before, alongside doing more dressage and show jumping shows.

A little update on Bailey - he has had his 8th birthday while on lockdown and has been working very well. Once venues reopened, we did pop out to Hickstead XC and discovered we have lost a bit of nerve... I say ‘we’, I think it is more ‘me’! So we are going to try to go out as much as possible to help get this back. Stay tuned to hear what training we will be doing to help us regain our confidence in XC again, and keep up to date on how we are doing.

In the meantime, here’s an exercise I found that I just had to try... and it’s amazing!

Jumping exercise with 4 Jumps

What you’ll need;

• 8 wings/blocks
• 4 poles

How to set it up;

To set this up is very easy and if you set it up right in the middle of the school, you will be able to do much more than just go up and down the grid.

It’s a simple 4 jump bounce, but you set every other jump staggered half way to the side.

How to ride it;