2020 look back

This is the last post of 2020 so I take a look back at a year that I want to forget but also remember the many firsts that I and Fred have achieved! This year has been one like none before, with lockdowns, masks, tiers, social distancing, and bubbles all being new concepts to learn and adapt to! 

When the pandemic first struck and a national lockdown was introduced riding was halted, mainly due to fears of putting added strain on our NHS if a fall should occur. We moved yards around a month into the lockdown and the horses were allowed to settle into their new environment. Gradually riding was slowly restarted in the field and it was great to get back on, I do get a bit down when I don’t manage to ride for a while.  

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Guest blog from Reveal Equestrian

This month we have a second guest blog kindly written by Jenna from Reveal Equestrian and this time she is sharing her knowledge on dressage riding by providing an introduction to this sport. Jenna is based in California and runs an equestrian centre which teaches a variety of training and lessons.  They are dedicated to teaching students about the fundamentals of equestrian riding and horsemanship.

Introduction to The Sport of Dressage Riding

Many people notice the Olympic level dressage on the televisions. Dressage isn’t a stylish move with lots of impressive names. Further, you may notice the horses seem to have complicated maneuvers because they sit motionless over them. 

Horses will be trained by the trainers with the basic dressage to create balance and responsiveness. So, you will be given the set of required elements and perform a dressage test with music. 

Photo Credit: Reveal Equestrian

Guest Blogger Interview – No 5. The Horsey Mum Blog

Apologize as I have missed a month with being busy with home and work life but this month we are back with our regular guest interview post and this month we have with us the hilarious and brilliant Alice with her blog:

The Horsey Mum

1. How did you first get into blogging and what inspired you to start your blog?

I was bored while my partner was away Skiing, so to entertain myself I started writing about my poor equestrian fashion and lifestyle. I’m a very open, happy go lucky girl, and with in a day or two I have about 1000 followers! I think I make people feel normal!

Photo credit: Alice Olivia Page  

Guest Blogger Interview – No 3 Life in the Countryside with Hannah & Joey

In our 3rd edition of horse blogger interview, we are joined by Hannah Greetham from Life in the countryside with Hannah and Joey. Hannah has been through a tough time and continues to be positive despite her ordeal. I am amazed that Hannah continues to ride and think she is an inspiration to others. Hannah also suffers with Fibromyalgia & Psoriasis.

Hannah is also a distributor Of AlvaHorse & Eliza T Equestrian Apparel so pop over if you are interested in some lovely new horse wear. Read on to find out more about Hannah and Joey.

Photo credit: Life in the countryside

1. How did you first get into blogging and what inspired you to start your blog?

I got into blogging in a very different way, I was involved in horrific RTC last year involving a horse I was sharing at the time. Being bed-bound and in and out of hospital over 8 months it made me think, why don’t I start a blog on my recovery process, while I had all the time in the world. I was hoping it would raise awareness and show the dangers of what could happen out hacking.

2. What was your most successful post? Why do you think it was appealing?

I didn’t think the blog would take off but when I had my operations on the 1st April 2019 and I posted a gory photo from my first operation, the page really seemed to take off, everyone was so interested. Also just recently I have just started riding again after a year recovering, everyone has been so supportive.

3. Tell me about your proudest horsey achievement?

Getting back on a horse again after being run over by a lorry 1 year ago.

4. How do you motivate yourself to keep the blog up and running? How much time do you spend blogging?

I love keeping my blog updated even now. Everyone always loves the horse-related content and even when I post updates about myself.

5. What do you find the most frustrating aspect of blogging?

The frustrating part of blogging is knowing whether or not people will be interested in what you are blogging about.

6. What advice would you give to fellow bloggers? Are there any strategies that you would recommend?

Definitely don’t put too many of your own opinions in blogs, sometimes it ends up in backlash. Not that has happened to me but having seen fellow blogger pages. Also always keep the blog’s related to what you set out to theme it on, people reading end up bored.

7. Do you have any plans/goals for the future?

The goals are to definitely keep growing my blog page, hopefully, keep raising awareness and inspiring people to not give up when something bad crops up in life

To read more about Life in the countryside with Hannah and Joey you can follow their story on Facebook and Instagram.  Hannah also runs a Facebook group which focuses on having a positive mindset.

To read more on passing horses safely on the road, see our post on bridleways here.

Guest Blogger Interviews – No 2. Horse Shoe Rd

Welcome to the second of our guest blogger interviews, this month we are joined by Jen from Horse Shoe Rd which is an Equestrian Lifestyle Blog. Jen welcomes you on her adventures as a DIY horse owner, show mother, groom, planner and organizer. Based in the United States, Jen shares their stories of travelling to horse shows and keeping horses at home.

See below to find out what Jen had to share with us…

1. How did you first get into blogging and what inspired you to start your blog?

I’ve always enjoyed writing and gather inspiration and ideas from Pinterest for a TON of things, from crafts to favourite meals. I found that Pinterest didn’t always have ideas directed specifically to horse shows. When travelling to horse shows, our bunch loves finding great restaurants for a great meal. My initial inspiration was an ebook/travel guide on great dining experiences based on horse show related travels.

Savvy’s Yard – Guest post

This week I am excited to share with you a post created by Tracey from the lovely Savvy’s Yard. Tracey is here to tell us about her own experiences of riding during pregnancy, along with sharing with us her new equine business and blog. Read one to find out more about Tracey her family and horses.

If anything is going tell you to stop riding while pregnant, falling off will do it!.

My name is Tracey and this is my story of running a new equine business, riding a horse and becoming a mother. Together with my husband Adam, we run our business Savvy’s Yard from our country cottage in Somerset, UK. Named after my horse Savvy, Savvy’s Yard is our online shop and social media blog. The tagline is “Inspired by horse and country living” which from our background of horses, farms, cottage renovation and living in the country it fits really well. Not only do we source our gorgeous collections we also make some of the items too. We are fortunate enough to have space at home, adjoining Savvy’s stable is our workshop where some of our items are made. The result is a fascinating collection of unique homeware and lifestyle accessories inspired by horse and country living. 

A pandemic and riding – to be or not to be!

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Like me, you have probably seen lots of controversy over the whole ‘do we or don’t we ride’ during the current pandemic and a country in lockdown. I like many others have also had to consider this question in relation to the strain on the health service.

I can conclude though that yes I have continued to ride but should this had occurred a few years ago, then there’s no way I would have gotten on board my faithful steed. However, I can now confidently say that I do trust my horse! I understand that things can happen unexpectedly and horses can be unpredictable. Therefore, I have considered my actions and we have been sensible in our riding.

Field cuddles

Guest blogger interviews – No.1 Nutty Nags

Welcome to our new monthly interviews, devoted to guest bloggers.

Each month we will be featuring an interview from a different guest blogger and getting to know more about them and their blogs. I am hoping this slot will allow readers to find a whole host of new and inspiring bloggers to follow.

First up is the lovely Vanessa Hill from Nutty nags. Vanessa is a retired lady who lives in the UK, she writes about all things equestrian, from tips to product reviews. Vanessa enjoys eventing as a more mature rider and proves she has what it takes to be a great equestrian.

Photo Credit: Vanessa Hill

Read on to find out what Vanessa had to share with us…

The Mama Equestrian and Becks Back in the Saddle.

So, this post has a bit of a twist to it and has been created by ourselves and equestrian blogger Becky Oliver, from Becks back in the Saddle, for a collaboration post. A few weeks back Becky contacted me, asking if our Facebook group members, could be approached to gather their personal experiences of riding, during pregnancy and following childbirth and if we could create a joint post.

Becky got a good response to the post and has included these in her blog (link here), as she is currently writing about her own experiences of being pregnant, whilst riding. In my post, I will be including my personal experiences and tips for riding with children, as I have 3 children myself and I have never ridden whilst being pregnant.

Photo credit: Becky Oliver

6 Facts About Free rein

I don’t know about you but I just love Free Rein on Netflix. So I thought I would share some fun facts about the show. If your not familiar with the show which is streamed in over 200 countries then read on. It is mainly aimed at 8-16 year old but is also popular with families. I watched it with all my 3 children and binge watched them when we started them as we could not stop. 

There are 3 current seasons (32 episodes),  plus specials shown at Christmas and Valentines. The show follows a 15 year old girl ,Zoe Phillips from Los Angeles who spends the summer at her mother’s childhood home on an island off the coast of England, where she bonds with a mysterious horse.