Summer is really and truly here!
Wow, can you believe it’s July already? What a hot and sunny few weeks we have had, which currently shows no sign of letting up! I hope the sun and heat hasn’t been causing you too many problems with your horses and their routines, I have changed Mikey’s routine over since it got really warm and he is currently in during the day away from the heat (his stable is pretty light and airy) and then he’s been out at night, when the temperatures are cooler, which seems to be working well so for now I will keep going like that and review when the inevitable happens and the sun disappears, I don’t tend to ride till late during the week anyway as I don’t get to the yard that early after work so thank fully have still been managing to ride in the cool which has been important as we have had quite a few competitions recently that we have needed to prepare for.
May and June have flown by for me; in fact, boy have I been busy, on a personal front I have started a new job, having been at my old place for 16 odd years I can safely say being the new girl is something I haven’t been for a very long time, outside of work has been busy too, with one of my good friends hen do, then the wedding, a few days in Barcelona (if you have never been I would highly recommend it), Summertime Ball concert at Wembley, work leaving do, Gary Barlow at Blenheim Palace (I am more of a Robbie girl but Gary was amazing!), a few days away on a horsey holiday at Cholsey Farm Riding, trying out for the British Dressage Inter County Teams for Team Bedfordshire (we were selected – yippee!) and a fair few shows with Mikey, generally life for at the moment is moving at 100% miles an hour!
My big news competition wise is WE WON A COUNTY SHOW! Although we have done quite a few county shows over the last couple of years, I never dreamed we could win at county level, but blow me down with a feather we did! We won the Open Coloured Class at Hertfordshire County Show a few weeks back, Mikey was full of beans that day, and the judges loved him, they said they thought he looked like a lot of fun, he definitely felt like he was having fun that day and I am still in shock from the win!
Strutting our stuff at Herts County Show
We spent a lovely few days at Cholsey Farm Riding in Ibstone earlier this month. I would really recommend it as a lovely place to spend a few days hacking, the hills are amazing to get the horses fit and really working and there a loads of routes to choose from, Ted and Jackie the husband and wife duo that run Cholsey are so helpful and will do their very best to make sure you have a great time – we had a ball!
The spectacular views at Cholsey Farm Riding
My very talented photography friend (Candice Pottage Photography) wanted to try out a new shoot location this month and needed some models to pose for her, this gave Mikey a perfect opportunity to do what he does very well indeed and pose! I love the collage that Candice did for me, it captures Mikey and I so well – I am currently waiting for the canvas to arrive that will take pride of place in my house!
Photos by Candice Pottage Photography
Team Honeychop have been busy sponsoring some local shows near me this last few weeks, lots of lucky riders have been winning free bags of Honeychop at Wing Jumping and Dressage Centre Showing Show, Caddington and District RC and Leighton Buzzard Stanbridge District RC Summer Shows. As well as offering free bags to winners lots of placed riders have been able to take home a Honeychop sample to try.
Some of the lucky winners!
All in all, a pretty busy time, I hope that you guys are enjoying the summer and let’s hope the sun continues to shine.
Until next month
Laura and Mikey x
