I’m hoping Estrid is back on full form from her skin issue on her back, but only time will tell as we don’t know how it will react to being under the saddle. She has no signs of anything anymore so it’s time to get back to it. I feel like I’m on a never-ending return horses to work treadmill. I would ordinarily give them 2-3months off at the end of the season but I don’t remember the last time I actually chose their time off rather than it being enforced by some calamity.
I am however very grateful that this year I’m not spending the autumn and winter rehabing from injury….I mean there’s still time for one of them to throw a spanner in the works but I’m keeping everything crossed that rehab will not be part of my 2023.
Instead, I’m hoping to get to a dressage competition! Dressage itself I actually quite enjoy, I like the process of training for a test and I like connecting all the movements together and working towards something. The process of going to a dressage competition is my absolute worst nightmare. I hate people watching me ride. I hate that I am actually paying for someone to judge and make comments on a 4-minute window into my horses life. I hate that if an umbrella or flower pot has spooked your horse that you don’t have much time to re-deem yourself. But getting out of my comfort zone will be good for me and it’s an excellent opportunity to do more venue training with Estrid and I’m looking forward to dressing up smart and trying to put our best glossy hoof forward.
So week 1 of our road to dressage has begun with an in-hand week and we will hopefully be back on board by week 2!
Beth Endurance 