An insight into what cover I have and why I think it's important. Now, you might be thinking... "that bloody Wimpy's sponsored by KBIS, course she's going to be banging on about insurance!" or thoughts to that effect! But alas my friends, I have been insured with KBIS for over 10 years, with 5 different... Continue Reading →
Hypnotherapy, selling the house and the lameness unveiled?
This is the one post I’ve been waiting to write for you since I started this page in 2016. It started yesterday with the usual nervous coursewalk as per any other event. Apart from, this wasn’t just any old event. Pat and I have had a rocky road out eventing, search our BE record… Continue Reading →
Farewell last year I first started writing this thinking what a total non-starter 2021 was. But as I dissected it, I soon realised that actually, it was filled with a huge amount of positives. Pea was out on loan, and Pat was all fit and ready for competing in time to smash his first… Continue Reading →
Yes, that’s right… you clicked on it, I didn’t force you to come here. Lent is 40 days long, not including Sundays (so, technically, it’s 46 days long over here.) It starts today, Ash Wednesday and culminates the eve of my 35th birthday, 4th April. With the sh*t storm that has been this last year,… Continue Reading →
Hello my dear friends and welcome back to some very exciting content! I would like to start by wishing you all a very happy February and I hope that, even in lockdown, that you are managing to cling onto a handful of sanity. Here’s something to keep you moderately entertained, so sit back and enjoy… Continue Reading →
I really am struggling to know where to begin this time, but I know that in order to deal with this, I need to write it all down, I need it to become a part of our lives and not something I’m scared of talking about. On August 12th, I took two pregnancy tests -… Continue Reading →
Whether you have kids or not, the juggle of hobbies/work/social life/love life/showering/etc. is a challenge in itself. But I’ll tell you what, throwing a baby into the mix has you leaving behind certain parts of who you were whether you like it or not. The Harsh Realisation I wont lie, I have cried (more than… Continue Reading →
Now, I’ve had the time of my life, and I owe it all to yooooouuuu…. As many of you will know, this was my third time organising my Wimpy Weekender camps. The first one was back in May last year, it was a roaring success despite a few (behind the scenes) teething issues. The second… Continue Reading →
This is the first part in my ‘Truth behind’ series and what better than to mark the three year anniversary of my first book release than to share all the nitty gritty with you on here! So, I’ve been asked many a time, how I managed to write and publish my books and the process… Continue Reading →
It’s really hard to know where to start but I guess all the nitty gritty from the beginning is detailed in the books so I’ll briefly recap. A whistlestop tour I was a bold and fearless child rider, I would ride ANYTHING and often had to as we had no money for horses or for… Continue Reading →
Such a big topic to cover and so much to say! If you would prefer to watch rather than read, I will also be making a YouTube video covering this soon too. So, I’ll pick up where the last pregnancy video update left off which, in a nutshell, detailed my waters breaking at 34 weeks, my… Continue Reading →
Have you missed me…?! Can you believe it’s been almost 6 month since I came on here with an update? I guess it all got a bit much what with the latter stages of pregnancy and squeezing a human out of my minky whilst juggling the care of two horses in winter and still remaining… Continue Reading →
Here I am, FINALLY pregnant, something I’ve wanted more than anything else in the entire world SEE THIS POST FOR MORE ABOUT THAT. The bitter truth of it is, I came off the contraceptive injection and 18 months later, we still hadn’t conceived. I was torturing myself every single month reading into signs and symptoms,… Continue Reading →
Lately, the thought of ‘blogging’ on social media gets me in a total spin. The fear of posting stuff someone might not like makes my heart race. I’ve been writing on various platforms for three years but still I can’t ignore this feeling… that’s when it hit me; What the actual sh*tsticks are you even… Continue Reading →
The Bitter Truth Ever had that feeling; your not improving, you feel frustrated, the money is running out, you’re fretting about what other people are saying, constantly comparing yourself to others on social media… That was me, AGAIN! I felt amazing at the start of this year I was jumping better than ever, I was… Continue Reading →
I’m rolling back to Tuesday…. my first fall in over four years. That’s right, I stacked it! I was jumping in the field (alone… like an idiot), he dropped the anchors right before a fence and unusually, I sailed over his head and onto the jump! I banged my mink box very hard on the… Continue Reading →
So here it is… Number 5 of the year, Number 2 for Pea! Just to recap a little, Pea is my newer of the two horses and although having had her on loan 6 years ago, I have had her back since the end of September 2018. Before that she was a Feral Beryl for… Continue Reading →
So, maybe you’re thinking of taking the plunge into horse ownership, or perhaps you’re looking to see where you can cut your existing costs… or maybe, just maybe, you’re curious as to how much money I actually spend on my horses. Whichever it is, I’ll let you in on how much money it ACTUALLY costs… Continue Reading →
With a confident run at Norton Disney last week, I was feeling MUCH better about this one and also glad that my last XC run was so fresh in my mind. Having never been to Eland lodge and it being on the perimeter of furthest we would travel for an event, I wanted to leave… Continue Reading →
I’m seriously struggling to know where to begin and that’s not like me at all! Let’s briefly go back to August 2018, the last time I went eventing without having a refusal! That’s right, you might have noticed that things have not being smooth sailing for us in the last year and that is down… Continue Reading →
New horse, new territory… our first event of the season! So, what’s new from Episode 1… well, quite a bit really! Pea has been with us for 26 weeks now. Bang on 6 months today. The last time we chatted she she had had her checks done and had started all of the basic training… Continue Reading →
It’s 2019 and there are nearly double that number of horse feed options available to horse owners… I’m glad it’s not 4019! Disclaimer – I am not sponsored by a feed company, I am not a moron and I am aware of the difference between quality products and good marketing. Basic Pony Club knowledge enlists… Continue Reading →
Day two of our first events of 2019 and it was Pea who was today’s star of the show in the BE80. For anyone that doesn’t know, little Pea is a thoroughbred mare who I had on loan back in 2013-14 from a very good friend. She restored so much of my fragile confidence back… Continue Reading →
…all I wanted to do was smile and bring my horse home safe. As you may have noticed I’ve now got two horses to compete, XC train, jump and school, and I have been working really hard riding at least 10 times a week to get them ready. I woke up today for my first… Continue Reading →
The most heartfelt update from our amazing polo queen, Susan… I can’t believe that it’s now almost a year since I became part of Team Wimpy. 2018 was one of those rare, enchanted years when everything just seemed to work out. (If this sounds smug, please believe me when I tell you that I’d had… Continue Reading →
So, my amazing team of seven riders is about to grow… I am so happy with the girls and how well they have gelled and supported one another, I am looking to add 3 more Team Wimpy Riders to the team for 2019, making a team of 10! More on that this week…. We are… Continue Reading →
With the 2019 season looming, I am reflecting on some of the things I get asked the most often. Number one has to be; How do I cope with Pat being so SPOOKY? And the answer is, I have struggled with it for many years, seven in fact! But I have learnt a few things… Continue Reading →
Feeling under pressure to transform yourself this January… read on my friends, read on. Here’s the thing with January, it’s the start of a NEW YEAR and apparently, according to millions of Facebook posts, the chance to create a ‘New You’. Well, how about this: what if the old you was already doing a good… Continue Reading →
I was absolutely delighted to attend the 4th leg of the Ros Canter and Caroline Moore, 4 years to 4* tour at Vale View Equestrian last night. I have taken away so much from just 3 hours of learning and I hope you find it useful too. Caroline Moore, British Eventing National Coach to our GB… Continue Reading →
So, a lot of you will have seen a new arrival to our family in the last few weeks. She is a little 15.3hh dark brown, 2004 thoroughbred mare called Pea. BUT.. this is not the first time Pea and I have crossed paths. Her dam: Smilingatstrangers and her sire: Tragic Role. Pea and I… Continue Reading →
This is most certainly the hardest event report I’ve had to write all season. Even now, the morning after, I’m still so emotional about it…. it’s a sport, a hobby damn it!! Deep breath, Here goes…. We spent the week hacking, running through my test and the usual, nothing out of the ordinary and as… Continue Reading →
Now, I’m not a huge fan of brazen product reviews… the “I got this for free and I’m obliged to say it’s amazing” kind of thing. But the reality is, I do get a lot of products to try out and when something really catches my attention, I’ll share it… simple, Right?! So, yes I… Continue Reading →
So, last night I laid in bed formulating a plan with military precision. I had ridden my new/old horse Pea on a hack earlier and whilst this little horse is fun, safe and brilliant in every way, she has a seriously frustrating guilty pleasure. She LOVES to impersonate a camel in her spare time. She… Continue Reading →
Here’s the deal Mr. Winter, you’re either cold, dark, p*ssing with rain or blowing a bloody gale or all of those things on a really great day! But … if there were no seasons how would you appreciate the few flakes of snow that might appear on Christmas morning? Or the first snowdrops that pop… Continue Reading →
What a brilliant summer it’s been, we heard from the lovely Amie and Raven so here’s a little update from the rest of my amazing Team Wimpy ladies… they make me very very proud. Susan our polo queen! Pataca and I have now completed the 2018 grass polo season! A whole blooming season, DONE! We… Continue Reading →
In the spirit of equestrian blogging, I have decided to dip in and out of the #horsebloggers Blogtober topics when the inspiration takes me. Today it took me… I’m going to bring you my 3 Autumn essentials that I, or anyone else shouldn’t be living without. Now, I expect you’re about to click the home… Continue Reading →
So, you may have seen that in August I offered one lucky book buyer the chance to win a GOLDEN TICKET! A Wimpy Wonka if you will… this ticket entitled the recipient to a day with ME! I would come to their house and terrorize them for a whole day! And that’s exactly what I… Continue Reading →
I am so excited to share all the events of the past few months with you! My last update ended on the high of my riding Jasper for the first time. Three months on and I’m so happy to say since then Raven and I have completed our first clear round event and two one… Continue Reading →
Rugging Temperature GuideNow, this doesn’t cover everything there is to know or every different circumstance, and I sharn’t make this into too much of a biology lesson either. But hopefully it helps in times of rugging confusion! What I have learnt…I have run some of the most elite yards in the country, working with both… Continue Reading →
There are obviously do’s and don’ts that you have to comply with and I advise that if you are unsure that you check with the British Eventing Rule Books just to be safe. I know that all of the gear I am wearing is above board but equally I also know that I push the… Continue Reading →
So, here we are again… on the eve of an event and having just walked the course, I didn’t feel horrendous. Certainly no where near as bad as my last event at Shelford. I put so much pressure on myself there and I didn’t enjoy a single bit of that feeling. Frickley was all about… Continue Reading →
So… yesterday was my Badminton Grassroots Regional Final at Shelford. Throughout the season you get to pick up qualifying results (approx top 3) which mean you are eligible for a RF at that level. At the final you have to be in the top 20% to get through to the championship held at Badminton. And… Continue Reading →
So, here it is…. my fourth event of the 2018 season, an unaffiliated event run at Epworth Equestrian. Now, for anyone wondering… yes, I have my BE90 Regional Final at Shelford in 2 weeks and yes, I know I did the 80cm class today but I want my horse’s confidence to blossom, I want him… Continue Reading →
There are obviously do’s and don’ts that you have to comply with and I advise that if you are unsure that you check with the British Eventing or British Dressage Rule Books just to be safe. I know that all of the gear I am wearing is above board but equally I also know that… Continue Reading →
Please don’t read any further if you’ve popped over here for a bit of cheery light hearted reading… it probably won’t turn out that way! I want to share this for my own sanity, I think about it everyday without fail and I think talking about it, saying it out loud might help me and… Continue Reading →
Now, protection is something we all have at the forefront of our minds; not only for ourselves but (often more importantly) for our horses. I’m relatively new to Eventing and I have only one, very precious horse. I want to make sure I am doing all I can for his safety and longevity as a… Continue Reading →
So, my 3rd BE of the season (can’t quite believe I’m saying this when it’s nearly August!!) happened yesterday at Frickley Park! I’ve been consciously trying to lighten up about things and try to enjoy having fun with my horse instead of piling on pressure and being a miserable cockwomble. This was the one and… Continue Reading →
So, I’m feeling pretty emotional writing this and it’s taken me a couple of days to be able to put into words what I’m feeling! I can finally say I’m a Wobbleberry graduate and to have finished my challenge at the Hannah Francis one day event was an honour! It’s been a long journey for… Continue Reading →
So, being ‘out there’ in the public eye definitely has it’s ups and downs. Being a blogger and author or one of the largest equestrian blogs in the country brings with it some exciting opportunities to try new things that I ordinarily wouldn’t get to try. New product launches, events and meet ups are so… Continue Reading →
Well hello, So … firstly I cannot begin to explain how inspirational the ladies in our team are! I’m sure if you’ve read the earlier team wimpy blogs you’ll all agree … and I’m lucky enough to have these fab ladies on hand 24/7 each time I have a wobble! I met some of our… Continue Reading →
What a long way these ladies have come so far, I cannot tell you how proud I am of them all. The support they offer one another in the private group is like nothing I have ever seen, show days are my favourites as they all come together and support each – isn’t that what… Continue Reading →
WELL WELL WELL….. So, Here it is… Speetley BE90, my 2nd BE of the season. As most of you will have read, I had a total knock in every sense last Sunday at Epworth with a refusal in the show jumping and another out on course… It was a day for learning not to ride… Continue Reading →
So, a last minute entry into the 90cms Show-cross at Epworth Equestrian Ltd saw us power trotting around our regular hacking route last night in an attempt to tire out my keener that usual pony ready for the big day. Normally I like to get out somewhere but with time being tight, a decent hack… Continue Reading →
Hi all, Well after 23 years not competing only taking it back up last summer and thinking I could start off where I left confidence wise how wrong was I?! A 38 year old brain doesn’t think like a 15 year olds brain!! To get me going, I did a few unaffiliated jumping classes most… Continue Reading →
Here it is, my first BE of 2018… So, my routine outing before the big day was complete with my dressage trip on Friday night, I gave him a little pop over some jumps in the field yesterday to round off our prep. I then went to my big brothers for a family barbecue, drank… Continue Reading →
So, 2 months ago I got a text from my dear Team Wimpy member and friend Liz Pears, asking if I fancied helping her out with a bit of “motivational instructing” at a Nervous and Novice camp in May… it seemed such a long way off and I’m at the stage in life where I… Continue Reading →
Whilst swimming in a sea of social media warriors spewing out uninvited negativity, I thought I’d take the time to tell you FIVE, bloody brilliant reasons that I LOVE being one of those ‘horse people’. Go ahead, find your reason to be proud, to enjoy stinking of urine, eating packet noodles and never brushing your… Continue Reading →
Since being picked to be part of the amazing team Wimpy in March a lot has changed for me both good and bad! So I’m participating in the Wobbleberry challenge this year, so my aim is to complete a BE80T by the end of the season! Bridget was to be my wobbly partner and to… Continue Reading →
After much deliberation as to whether the ground was going to hold up to 80 sets of skillfully shod hooves tearing it apart on Saturday, the drier days in the lead up to the event were a saving grace for all involved. It was Thursday, dressage day 1 and packed and ready for the off,… Continue Reading →
Hi everyone! So, whilst the eventers have finally been getting to the first fixtures of the season, the showing shows are underway and the happy hackers are enjoying the lighter nights; for polo players all eyes are on the start of the grass season. Getting out on the grass is something that I am both… Continue Reading →
Hi everyone!! Well…This time last year I entered my first ever round of show jumping in a 60cm nervous and novice class. I trotted the whole way round, as cantering around corners used to terrify me… you never know, we could tip over! Now I have just done my first ODE! I had been feeling… Continue Reading →
For a long time I didn’t pursue a career in horses, as I didn’t believe I was good enough. I went down the safe, sensible route of being a schoolteacher, which was still something I was really passionate about. I love working with children and love being able to help and nurture them to achieve… Continue Reading →
Well here it is, my first blog for Team Wimpy 2018. Well actually my first blog. Ever. At 52. Here goes…. When the BE dates for 2018 came out, I immediately started diligently planning my ‘season’, just like a proper eventer; Some 90s for True, and the idea of a BE 80 for Spirit, who… Continue Reading →
Some time ago I received a message, from a lovely lady asking for my address so that she could invite me to something very special. I obliged of course! (Who wouldn’t!?) Now, the invite came and it was a big surprise, The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon invite you to a special day at Highclere… Continue Reading →
I’m not sure… Days go by where I’m not overly sure where I’m going in life, what I do for a living or what I’m making for tea! I feel a bit in limbo again. So this time last year I was toying with leaving my full time job as Marketing Manager for a large… Continue Reading →
A battle with the ‘F’ word. You know sometimes when you sit and think for too long, you talk yourself in and out of decisions, you feel confused and need guidance on which way to turn? The decision to leave that job you hate, to get married, to start a family, to try something that… Continue Reading →
I thought I would take a minute to impart a little wisdom, please take from it what you will for I am no David Marlin, but what I do have is experience, years of it, spanning over 300 horses that I have cared for in these years. Now, these days, what to feed your horse… Continue Reading →
So you have a goal in mind, it might seem quite out of reach right now. And that’s okay. Mine are so far out of reach just at the minute that I can barely see them let alone touch their tails! First thing to do is make a plan, I am planning of having a… Continue Reading →
Some days I just cannot seem to work out how to push through. Some days I want to throw the towel in. Some days I wish I didn’t feel like this. I want to feel confident and self assured, I want to be kind and in return, be loved by people, I want to make… Continue Reading →
Being part of the blogging scene at Haynet (an equestrian bloggers paradise), some of us equestrian bloggers in the world signed up for a VLOGGING challenge this month. We were assigned a partner and tasked with interviewing each other with questions to introduce ourselves a little better. I was assigned my pair, Jake Tarrant of… Continue Reading →
Good day one and all. It is 2018 and I am one week into a very slow, sober, DRY January! It’s not as easy as I thought and my real motivation for doing it was to lose some weight. I have been eating like a squirrel and not a drop of the good stuff has… Continue Reading →
Now, I don’t know about anyone else but as I have got older, I seem to sweat a lot more. Anyone that knows me will know, I HATE sweating… I rarely run, jog or even break into a brisk walk for fear of sweating!
So here goes… (tissues advisory, wine compulsory) I’m struggling to know where to start so as usual, I’ll take you back to Friday night…. This week had been a right off, I lacked enthusiasm at the start and finally pulled my finger out my arse on Thursday with an excellent ride, jump and grin! Friday… Continue Reading →
So here it is… my next ho ho ho installment of #wimpyrecommends This one is VERY fitting for us here I think. Now I feel like crap in winter, I’ll be honest – the dark nights make me feel like hibernating and I’m guessing a lot of you feel this too. Energy levels are at a… Continue Reading →
So I want to talk about Retraining… I’ll add right now, I am NO expert. But I do have experience and I’m not afraid to use it!! So, You have a horse that has potentially learnt to go a certain way, that favours right over left, head in the air over round and soft. He… Continue Reading →
So, tell me… how many pairs of wellies have you gone through this year? Personally I went through two pairs and then abandoned wellies all together for my Ariat country boots. Now, there is just so much more that you can do in wellies that you can’t do in a beautiful country boot, but not… Continue Reading →
On the 27th August 2017 we welcomed a new furry into our lives. We went to visit the lovely Kate at Cheveral House Racehorse Rehoming and a week later came home with Sir Bentley. Bender or Bendy Wendy as he is now affectionately known, is a shade under 16.3hh, he is 7 years old and is… Continue Reading →
So here it is… Frickley Park (2) BE90 – another soggy day in Yorkshire ?? So all week I had felt very at ease about this one, I think after the pressure of my Regional Final at Shelford I had made a conscious decision to not allow this Eventing lark to ruin my mood or my… Continue Reading →
So here it is…. my long awaited Regional Final at Shelford. I had been working hard all week preparing as best I can for this day. I went XC schooling, jumped him in the field and practiced my test. I was getting horribly nervous and putting stupid amounts of pressure on us to be the… Continue Reading →
How I get the best out of my dressage test with a movement usually worth double points… Enjoy 🙂 xx
So here it is…. Epworth 90cms ODE!!! Well, today was a mission of two things. Number 1 was a confidence boost before our regional final in two weeks and Number 2 was to get inside the time after being told my horse didn’t make the time at Frickley because he was FAT!! I was even… Continue Reading →
So here it is…. Pat, Daddy Carrot and I headed to Frickley Park today for the BE90. Yesterday’s course walk left me feeling oddly excited to get back out and doing this sport again, I felt 75% excitement and only 25% terror after walking the somewhat boggy going of the XC course. We went to… Continue Reading →
WELL…. What a day!!! Today I have made the most valuable investment of my life (Pat excluded – he is family and doesn’t count) in more ways than one. I expect you all remember the post I did a few weeks ago about having THAT exciting phone call but not being quite ready to divulge… Continue Reading →
Here it is NUMBER 3!!! Chilham Castle. So this mornings 6.30am alarm wasn’t even needed, I was already on poo 2 by 6am. The balls I grew yesterday and all week in fact, had shrivelled to an unrecognisable size and I was SHITTING MYSELF!!!! We loaded and left by 7.15 and arrived at Chilham at… Continue Reading →
So here it is… our first BE100 report. I would like to start by saying (for anyone that is a new follower or an old one that might not know), up until July 2016 I was unable to tack up this dear little horse without sweating profusely. I was scared of riding to the point… Continue Reading →
So I have made the pilgrimage to Badminton Horse Trials most years for the last 10 now and I can safely say that this year is the most exciting one yet. Previous years I have been giddy over the shopping lanes or walking the course but this year I have a whole new muse for… Continue Reading →
So here it is, Number 2! The late entry into the BE90 at Bovington, Dorset (RAC Saddle Club Bovington) on Easter bank holiday weekend was our challenge. Now for anyone that knows me, I’m not overly keen on jumping around somewhere that I’m not overly familiar with, stupid eh?! But I like to have had… Continue Reading →
So here it is….. number 1. The first one of 2017!! Back to Friday, I was nervous as hell. Having to sit in a quiet office all day, not overly busy, made my nerves worse. I had so much to do post 4.30pm and I was getting increasingly tittery about wanting to run out the… Continue Reading →
WIMPY Eventing is a terrifying thing, when you’re scared out of your bloody mind and rely heavily on booze and Imodium supplies to keep you in check, something has to have your back. I am delighted to announce that from March 2017; I, the Wimpiest Eventer that ever trotted the earth, will be the VERY… Continue Reading →
So let’s go back to this morning… I got up and drove to the yard unphased at this point, to skip out, hay and not think about the day ahead. Back at home I actually ate breakfast… grilled mushrooms, tomato, avocado and a poached egg (still on the post Christmas diet). The Kent and Surrey… Continue Reading →
So, every year a huge percentage of us make the pilgrimage to the sparkly lights and festive flush of Olympia Horse Show. Every penny we have saved doing all of our Christmas shopping on Black Friday, goes into a pot, reserved for the all-important shopping village. This year will be no different! There are a… Continue Reading →
With the eventing season drawing to a close, I turn my attention to the demon that is dressage! Over 2 months ago, Pat and I had a double win at Novice and Elementary which qualified us for a Championship. Ludicrously bad timing, in that it fell the day after our BE90 debut at Aston Le… Continue Reading →
So, the morning of my much anticipated trip up to Aston Le Walls for our step up to BE 90, crept up far faster than I could have ever imagined. I’m pretty sure it left me a little flabbergasted and unprepared, but consequently less panicking time for sure! The times came out and that’s when… Continue Reading →
So with our late entry accepted into the Pachesham Hunter Trial for the 85cm Pairs, the usual nervous course walk Friday night was a little less toilet trip inducing than other events. I’m not overly sure why – Maybe my fragile confidence is slowly being coated in honey ready for being rolled in feathers –… Continue Reading →
It’s like the morning after the night before – Sat at my huge paper covered desk in my lonely office blogging rather than going through my ton of emails. Did I have a good weekend? I think so. Friday, as you may have seen from my Facebook page, I had another ‘moment’. Sometimes it feels… Continue Reading →
I am pretty sure that at some point in the lives of every single one of you reading this, you have felt rotten about your capabilities, downtrodden or had your chips totally p*$sed on by someone else. If you haven’t – you are probably the one doing the urinating! My equestrian side of life has… Continue Reading →
I cannot believe what I am about to write – I’ll take you back to Friday night…. New Husband and I went over to LMEQ to walk the vomit inducing XC course at approximately 6.37pm, we arrived, found the start, smoked a cigarette and by fence 13 – PITCH BLOODY BLACK!! I was having… Continue Reading →
What a weekend!! Let’s start from Wednesday night where the plans to run through my Novice and Elementary tests for Sunday were planned. I left the office, grabbed my breeches from the car and strolled over to get changed. One leg in, two legs in, yank on the too tight breeches… TWANG!!!! My lower back… Continue Reading →
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