Customer service with a smile? I think not.

As many of you by now probably know, I am more of an equine journalist rather than anything else. My ramblings are usually based around the four legged creature with a mane and tail, but today I thought I would be different.
You could say this blog post came about from the lack of customer service I received in Mc Donalds earlier today. Now I love Mc Donalds, and if I could eat in there every day I would. BUT; now there's always a but isn't there? I went in today, with my boyfriend Mark for a quick lunch before his doctors appointment and I was appalled at their service. I ordered a Chicken burger meal with a large strawberry milkshake and a chicken nugget meal with a medium coke. I also had my student card so ordered a cheeseburger with that. As I saw the lady place the chips on my tray I suddenly remembered Mark had asked for a chicken burger with NO mayonnaise, so I said excuse me, and politely told the lady I had got it wrong and could we please have no mayonnaise on the burger. To my horror she then proceeded to give me the snottiest look and said "No, its made now." I said "Well he wont eat mayonnaise so can I have another please". The lady then continued to tell me: "You should get your order right in future, now we have a chicken burger that we have to throw away." Now, correct me if I am wrong, but I thought in Mc Donalds the food is placed under the heater and kept there until someone orders it? That is why they call it fast food, right? I have never been in a Mc Donalds yet that food is made to order!

Anyway, so my order was placed on my tray, and unfortunately she gave me two chicken burgers, and no chicken nuggets. Probably to be awkward, but who knows. So I said, again in a polite manner "Excuse me, sorry, I asked for one chicken nuggets and one chicken burger". Her face fell and she exclaimed "No you did not". By this point I was getting annoyed, but calmly told her, "yes I did". So she huffed, and snatched one chicken burger off the tray, fetched me some chicken nuggets and then demanded to see my student card. Usually when Mc Donalds require your student card they glance at it for a second and then hand it back. But no, this lady proceeded to study the student card with every inch of its life, turning it over to each side a few times, and then back again. (Probably deciding whether to spit in my food or not) She eventually handed it me back, threw a cheeseburger on my tray and handed the tray to me, whilst saying in the most sarcastic voice "Thank you". I lost it here and may have just uttered "Funny cow" under my breath and with that walked off.

Mc Donalds - as one of your most loyal customers, expect a letter of complaint from me in the next few days.

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A dream come true?

I have some very exciting news to share on this Blog post. I have had one of the most fantastic weekends to date and am still very much on cloud nine!
I am sure many of you aware by now that Ceaser has been having some trouble with mud fever recently. I am not sure where it has came from or how he has got it as he is hardly ever allowed to stay in a muddy field and is usually wrapped up if its wet and muddy. Much to our annoyance though he got mud fever and has had a swollen leg for two weeks. He hasn't been lame or doesn't seem to be having any problems with that particular leg, but as a precautionary thing I called the vet up and they prescribed me some antibiotics over the phone. Luckily Ceaser finished them by Friday and I was able to go ahead today with competing in our first ever affiliated dressage test. More on that later..

On Saturday I had arranged for my sponsor to bring her Equilbrium massage pad to the yard so I could give Ceaser a massage session. This is something I want to do on a regular basis now and my sponsor is hiring her pad out to me for a fantastic price. Hopefully this will make a difference to Ceasers way of going, and I look forward to noticing the improvement in the next few weeks.
As well as bringing the massage pad I was also lucky enough to receive some fantastic products from her as part of being my sponsor. Ceaser looks very professional in his embroided rug and matching saddle cloth! She was also kind enough to give us a free bag of carrots, just for him! I don't think he is spoilt at all, do you?

I have been so excited, and nervous all in one about Sunday all week. A part of me has been really looking forward to it, but then another part of me has been wondering whether I was entering something I couldn't handle and should just stay in my comfort zone. I know you should move up, and if you have done well at a particular level then try a different one. I have been wanting to affiliate Ceaser at Dressage for so long now, but in all honesty I have never had the guts. After looking at some affiliated riders I knew I didn't look anything like them. Ceaser can sure as hell move, but he hasn't got a flashy amazing trot 24/7. He's a cob cross, and he basically does what it says on the tin. He's an allrounder that has that posh side to him and when he wants to do a medium trot that deserves an 8 or 9, he does one. Or if he fancies doing a floaty trot, then he does one. The hard part is getting it out of him though, and I think right now, I have him.
I got Ceaser when I was 6. I had only been riding six months, and stupidly my Dad decided I was "ready for a pony" and was advised to buy Ceaser. At the time he was 3, just backed, turned away and hadn't done much. For a six year old whom had been riding 6 months it probably wasn't the wisest decision my Dad made, but it was then mine and Ceasers partnership began. I rode on the lead rein for roughly 6 months after that, and if I wasn't on the lead rein then Dad was running infront of Ceaser shouting "Come on Ceaser trot". Ceaser then began to show us his 'cheeky' side, I wanted to do more, and that was when Sara, my lovely 12.2h was purchased for me. Ceaser went to a lovely loan home for 2 years but stayed on the same yard and I think that is where his Dressage career began. Nicola did some Prelim stuff with him, and it was never a secret that he could sure as hell move, and jump!
After 2 years we moved yards, and Ceaser went to another girl on loan. By now he would throw a rear in if he wanted. He'd spin on the spot if he wanted, and he had put a girl in hospital with a suspected damaged back, but something about him made us never give up. After a while, I was 13 and throughout my time riding Sara I had taken a huge interest in Showing and Dressage, and had decided that Ceaser would be my new Dressage ride. We got on really well in some Prelim classes and I was beginning to learn how to deal with his "cheeky character". Dad had his back, teeth and everything checked. He had a 5* vetting check to ensure there was no underlying problems for his 'cheekiness' but the vet report came back as "Behavior problem". We look back at that vet report now and laugh.
At 14 I had a riding accident on Sara, and again my confidence plummeted. It wasn't then until I was 16 that I decided I would get back on Ceaser and go for it!
Since then we have never looked back, and in the past 2 years I have taken my Dressage and Showing seriously. I learnt how to sit his cheeky bucks, and deal with his occasional "NO" rears. We have had some fantastic showing results to date and I will never forget standing under the spotlight in the pitch black in September of 2011 at Royal London. We had just been placed in a HUGE Concours De Elegance class and the finale gallop was amazing.
Up until now I had been winning every dressage class I entered and moved up to Elementary. After winning the 2nd ever Elementary class I entered I decided it was time to affiliate, and here I am now.
My first affiliated dressage test. I had decided to enter at Prelim and chose Prelim 14 as it looked to be a nice test. Sunday arrived and I was so excited. I hadn't had chance to ride Ceaser for 7 days, and he hadn't been out all week so I wasn't expecting much. I just wanted to go in and see how I did. To test the waters as such. As I was warming up he felt amazing. Its not often I say this but I could feel I just had him in the warm up. Usually he gets a bit fizzy in the warm up, but today he felt fantastic. He was listening, he was responsive and he wasn't at all fizzy. We had our new Barnsby Bridle which was a present from my Boyfriend Mark and Ceaser just looked like he fitted in. Like he belonged in the affiliated world. He was lengthening when I asked, and wasn't rushing into transitions.

As we were called up for our test I could feel myself beginning to panic. When I panic I tend to push Ceaser to much and usually that is when we both stiffen and tense up. So I just thought what the hell, what did I have to loose, and the rest I can't remember. The test went so fast (but in a good way!) I barely had time to breath. As I halted between X and G and saluted I just beamed. It actually felt like it had gone well, I was pleased, whatever our scores.

We went to Elms farm in Caythorpe, and for those who have been will understand what I'm on about, but they have this really old school bus that you collect your score sheets from and has a Cafe on board. Its amazing.
Anyway, we took Ceaser back to the lorry, put him on with his haynet and went back to the bus to await the scores. I was amazed when I got there to find I had came 2nd in the unaffiliated test, with 65% and had qualified for the 2nd rounds at Trailblazers. Then the affiliated results came down, and to my amazement I read we had got 67.08%!!! I could have cried, and have since then been on cloud nine. I never even expected to get anywhere within the 60's, let alone 67%!

Right now I am just so pleased to be able to look back and see just how far me and Ceaser have came. From a horse described as having behavior problems, to one getting 67% in his first affiliated dressage test. I am so proud of him, of us both. 13 years ago I would have never imagined to be where we are now, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds. Onwards and upwards, and I sure as hell can't wait to live the rest of 2012!

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A new angle

I am almost too excited that I can barely write.
I got what most people would call "a bit brave" on Wednesday and decided to test the waters of the Journalism world I guess. I emailed Southwell Racecourse and asked if it would be possible for me to get two press passes for the race meeting on the 16th February. As many of you know by now, I am trying to get my foot on the ladder within the equine journalism industry and I will do as much as it takes to get on it!
I have loved horse racing since as young as I can remember. My Uncle has always owned race horses and during summer if I had a spare few days I would offer to help out at his yard, just mucking out and grooming the horses. During my teenage years my mum would often take me racing with her and we even had a share in a horse called "My Sweetheart". The poor horse didn't do very well and a year later was took out of racing.
My Dad and I have also always loved racehorses and both have a particular soft spot for them. I have been very lucky to own two fantastic racehorses during the past few years, and have loved my time retraining them.
(The picture on the right shows my Dads Chestnut American Thoroughbred "Lay the Cash" winning his race at Kempton Park.)

So, I thought that I am always reporting on showing and dressage, but have never given Racing a go! And sure enough, early this morning I got an email back from Southwell racecourse saying the press passes would be waiting for me on the 16th! Brilliant! I am so excited to be giving something new a go and cannot wait to do the final write up. I must admit though, if I meet a relatively famous jockey I WILL become star struck. (Probably something I need to get over if I'm wanting to become a journalist).
I promise to write a blog post on my experiences of the day.

On to other news, Ceasers leg is finally on the mend I think. Fingers crossed it will be okay for Sunday though as the swelling still hasn't completely gone. I hope the Antibiotics starts to kick in soon.

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A little bit of this and a little bit of that

We have had some fantastic news on the yard this week and everyone is really excited. We have finally been given our Riding School license which means we are now able to give Riding Lessons. I personally will not be doing it as I am not qualified, but we have hired two instructors who have all the correct qualifications and are looking forward to meeting new clients.
It is quite a big thing for us, as when we took the yard over, some seven years ago it was in a terrible state. The barns had no stables in, there was no fenced paddocks, and there was certainly no menage. We have built the yard up from nothing and are all so proud of what it is becoming. The future for us is exciting, and I am very much looking forward to seeing what the future has in store for us!
I have also been in talks with various riders about doing some clinics with us, and I can say that 2012 is set to be a very good year. More on this at another time...

I saw on Twitter earlier today that my university are looking for "success stories" from its students. I'm not really sure what people class a success story nowadays so I took a shot at it and emailed about my recent successes with Ceaser, and writing for various Equestrian magazines and websites. Much to my amazement I got an email back saying they had already read my Blog last week and were very interested!
I am so pleased that my Blog is reaching people - I really was unsure if I was just writing rubbish that people weren't reading, but it turns out its reaching more than I anticipated. Who knew?
It really is lovely for me to hear that my Blog is attracting people and I am not wasting my time. As a 'wannabe' journalist I think I strive from hearing good pointers about my work.

On to some bad news.. Ceaser is unfortunately on antibiotics at the moment. I'm really not sure how as he's never had it before but he's suddenly developed bad mud fever on one of his hind legs. His leg was rather swollen this past weekend, but he seems to hopefully be on the mend now. The vets prescribed him some Antibiotics and the swelling seems to be going down. Thank god. I hate seeing any of my animals in pain or suffering, I don't like it. I put up with his leg being swollen all weekend, and then Sunday night decided I would ring the vet the following day. He wasn't lame or sore in anyway, but I just couldn't bear to see him with one leg like it was. Fingers crossed he will be okay for Sunday for our first ever affiliated Dressage competition!

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A diastrous start brings a good finish!

Well, yesterday saw me and Ceaser at Laughton Manors unaffiliated Dressage, and what a day it was! It all began on Friday, and usually Mark would pick me up from university in Leicester and drive me home. If I have a competition the next day we will make a quick stop at the yard to plait, hot cloth Ceaser and prepare him for the following day. Due to Mark still unable to drive because of his silly accident, it meant I had to get the train home Friday night and there was no way I would be home early enough to sort Ceaser out! Now I don't know about you but I hate relying on other people to bath, plait and generally prepare my horse for a show. Its just a pet hate of mine. If you're going to use your horse for competitions then at least have the decency to prepare him yourself. Plus I hate how other people plait. Either the sewing isn't correct, the plaits are either too big or too small, or there isn't the correct amount. I just think its much easier to do it myself. In half an hour now I can plait, roll and stitch plaits in. So, I am sure you can imagine my horror in having to ask the yard manager to prepare Ceaser for Saturday for me. I told her to just hot cloth him, and I would plait him Saturday. She knows I don't trust her plaiting and its something we often joke about.
As my alarm started buzzing and playing the hideous tune it does at 6.30am on saturday morning, I was not impressed. We were having to leave early for Dressage because a livery off the yard was entered in to Intro A and Prelim 4, which coincidentally were all before 11 o clock, and my test was at 1.49! Long day ahead.. Laughton Manor is a good hour away, and with Ceaser not being a brilliant loader we always have to prepare in advance.
Needless to say, 3rd time lucky he was soon on the lorry munching hay and we were away. Only 2 and a half hours early...
I'm not going to make Ceaser sound brilliant here, what with his naughty habits of loading, but he also hates standing on the lorry. So as soon as we arrive at a show he has to come off and then will happily stand all day tied to the lorry munching his hay. Funny creature..
I booked myself in, booked my livery in and tried to find something to do for the next five hours. The weather didn't look brilliant so I took Ceaser, his haynet and my plaiting kit in to the indoor waiting arena and stood plaiting him. I did get some funny looks from the Pony club mums, probably wondering why on earth I hadn't plaited the night before, and why I was enabling my Pony to eat off the floor, but he was happy, I was happy and we weren't distracting anyone.
Half an hour later I was all plaited, trimmed and left with nothing to do, so I helped my livery. This young girl is 13, and has a 13.2h New forest. He's a cracking little pony with the potential to go so far but just needs pushing and directing the correct way. He seems to thrive off your confidence and if you lack it he just falls to pieces. His little rider is fantastic and really does make him look easy but sometimes her confidence just evaporates into thin air, so I was trying to help her by making her do lots of transitions and getting him off the leg more. He has a tendency to have the incorrect bend and this does affect him in a Dressage test immensely. Though I am sure it will come. I finished off by reading both tests for her and she was pleased to get a respectable 3rd place with 58% in the Intro A. I thought she deserved more as the whole test looked fantastic, but this is her highest Dressage score so she was over the moon.
12 o clock came and it was my turn to get on. As I began to tack Ceaser up I could sense him getting more and more agitated, spinning around with his ears pricked. The joys of horses. As I jumped on I knew instantly in he was in a mood. I didn't have to put any leg on walking to the outdoor warm up arena, and once in there had to apologise profoundly to many riders for cutting them up as Ceaser leg-yielded across the school infront of them without me so much as asking him to. Needless to say his trot felt amazing and he was really working well through his back end, but as soon as I asked for Canter his bum shot up, his head went between his front legs and we bronked round the arena. Other riders must have been laughing at me wondering why the hell I was riding now and not earlier on in the Intro's... Sometimes I wonder!
After doing this for about 10 minutes I announced I was having no more and was just quitting with the warm up. It was getting neither of us anywhere and just winding us both up. I know when Ceaser gets wound up and trust me, its better to quit then rather than later.
So, I took him back to the indoor waiting area and just waited for our class. A friend of mine told me to use it as a warm up for next week at our first affiliated event.
Soon it was time for us to go in, and sure enough as I hit that centre line and entered at A in a working trot, Ceaser stuck his head in a lovely outline and continued to produce a lovely test with some lovely rocking chair canters.
I take it he just dislikes the outdoor warm up arena then? Who knows.
Next to come was Elementary 44, and again he went in, trotted down that centre line and I felt every bone in his body relax. It really is like he knows he's there to do a job and he's not happy until he's done it. The whole test went smoothly and we came out to everyone saying "Well done, that looked fantastic". Blooming pony...
I was more than chuffed when I checked the results later and found myself having won the Novice 27 class and getting 2nd in the Elementary! What a way to end the day, after it started to badly. So, ceaser is no longer in bad books and next time he misbehaves in a warm up I think I'll just forget that part..

On my way home I got a phone call from my local tack shop "Newbridge Tack" asking if she could have a chat with me. I am pleased to say that she has offered me a Sponsorship deal, and will be providing me with a free jacket, rugs, Saddle cloths and discount feed and tack! What a fantastic end, to a roller-coaster day!

Onwards and upwards I think..

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The kick start of my career

When I was 14 I had my first story published in a national magazine - Pony Magazine. I had entered a competition to win story of the month, and although I didn't hold much hope I was adamant I would win that £40 prize.
The criteria of winning story of the month was that your story had to be a real experience and a recent event. At the time I was experiencing the loss my much loved Granddad, and my horse becoming poorly. Up until this point I had never experienced a poorly horse, and was left feeling shattered by what could happen, and what if's.
I had always had a passion for writing, and so the journey of kick starting my career into Journalism began. I decided to enter this competition and just "see". Unknown to me the very moment I received a letter through my letterbox telling me I had won would be the start of a dream and career for me.
I remember seeing my story, my photos and most importantly my name in the magazine. I remember sitting down, in between sobs of happiness and loss of my granddad that I vowed I would make a career out of this. It was at that moment I told my parents "when I grow up, I want to be an Equine Journalist". And, true to my word, here I am, some roughly six or seven years later trying to get my big break into the equine journalism industry.
Sadly, two years after my story was published my beloved gorgeous all Black Thoroughbred Amy lost her battle against the many illnesses she experienced during her short but fulfilling life. I was the one holding her and stroking her kind face when the vet gave her that dreaded injection that would end her life there. I remember holding her head and telling her how much I loved her and how I would make her proud of me. With that she kicked her front legs out, and slowly closed her beautiful, kind, brown eyes. I believe I owe everything to both her and my Granddad for the way in which my career began. Without the experience of that very day I was told Amy would die if she did not eat in the next 24 hours, and me begging my Granddad to help, I would not have had a real life experience to share with the rest of the world. My precious girl, and my courageous Granddad helped me get my foot on that ladder, and without them I truly believe I would not be where I am today.
For that I have them both to thank.

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War horse, good or bad?

Upon hearing that Speilberg was making War Horse in to a movie I must admit I wasn't sure.
I was roughly 14 when I read the book by Michael Morpurgo. A family member purchased it me for at Christmas as I was experiencing the loss of one of my horses and she felt it would be a good read for me. I remember crying the whole way through to the point where the pages where crinkled and tear sodden. At the time I preferred this story to that of the famous Black Beauty and vowed it would stay my number one book. Although, with no desire to read again because of the reminder of the pain of loosing a horse so close to me still being raw, I put the book away and forgot about it.
That was until in November of 2011 when I saw an advertisement poster in my local cinema that War Horse was coming to the big screen. I eagerly turned to my Partner Mark and told him "we ARE going to see this".
The day arrived, and I knew I would need tissues. If the film was anything like the book I knew I would plenty of tissues and possibly a good shoulder to cry on. Do not get me wrong though, I am not one that usually likes film adaptations of books. I am what you call a proper book worm and would rather lock myself in my room reading than going to the cinema to watch something on the big screen, surrounded by people crunching and munching away at popcorn. Call me old fashioned.
As soon as this fantastic film started I could feel myself welling up. I knew what was coming, and knew we were about to join Joey in a courageous journey of growing up and experiencing life during the World War II. Yes we've heard stories from our grandparents about how they coped, but not often have we found ourselves experiencing just what those poor animals went through and how they fought for survival and helped both countries during their battle.
From the moment Albert claps eyes on Joey we knew the tissues were going to be needed. The bond between horse and owner that we experience on a daily basis is fantastically shown and Speilberg did a brilliant job in showing just how attached you become.
Personally I feel a lot of the scenes at the very beginning were a bit slow, and it was only when Albert began to bond with Joey that I felt drawn to this movie.
The sense of loss was fantastically shown by Jeremy Irvine (Albert) and I do not feel they could have picked a better character.
The emotional scenes were obviously so well thought out by Speilberg, and we were able to sympathies with every characters sense of loss. The true consequences of the wars are shown and delivered in a way that I have never experienced in a film before.
During the film we experience Alberts longing to find Joey again, and the situations he puts himself in and the lengths he goes to just to be reunited with his beloved horse once again. A situation that many horse owners with sympathies with.
During this we also see how Joey is affected by the war, and how the trust he had in Albert saves his life many of times.
I was thankful for the odd joke, and humorous scenes, as without them I feel the film would have taken a too serious note, and been just that bit too bleak. During these scenes I found myself laughing through my tears, as well as spending the majority of the time sobbing like a baby.
Not only does Speilberg capture the situations families had to endure during the World War II but also the consequences it bought on the whole of the nation, rather than just the odd person.
A scene I particulary liked was when the Germans and English stopped to help one another cut Joey free. For those who have not read the book, I am sure many were thinking that poor Joey would have died a very horrible death out in no mans land, but again Speilberg captures the true moment when both countries united as one to do good.
The moment when Albert and Joey are reunited is a moment that every animal lover sitting in that dark cinema can relate to, and I am sure during that scene there would have been no dry eyes. The way in which Albert instantly knows it is Joey shows the bond and devotion he has to his horse, and in comparison we see that despite all that happened, Joey never forgot his main boy.
The creation of this film is a stunning adaption of the book and upon the credits rolling, through my sobs I found myself saying "it was nearly as good as the book". For me books will never be beaten, there is nothing better than sitting in a room and putting yourself in that story and imagining you are there, but this film almost does the same. You are dragged in to experience the sense of loss from a boy who has just lost his best friend, you are dragged in to experience the consequences the Wars had on many, and you are also dragged in to experience just how families and loved ones coped whilst their children were off fighting for their country.
This fantastic film gives you everything you need and want from a film. If you need a good cry, or you simply want to see a brilliant, remarkable journey one boy and his horse undertake then be sure to watch War Horse.

I give it 4 out of 5.

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Time to try something new?

So, my 21st Birthday arrived (in style) and went.
I had the most fantastic weekend of my life, I really did. To say I was dreading turning 21 (I wrote 18 then, haha!), things haven't turned out quite so bad.
Saturday I was woken up, rather loudly at 8am by my Mum screaming "I've got the key of the door, never been 21 before". That song is all I heard for the rest of the day. I'm even still finding my self humming it now.
Anyway, so I quickly got dressed and raced downstairs. Yes, like a kid. My mum and step-dad had put banners and balloons in the Kitchen, it was fantastic.
I got some brilliant presents for my Birthday and I can honestly go as far as saying, it maybe even topped Christmas. My mum and step-dad got me some private number plates for my car. So if you see anyone driving around with the plates CP51ANY then be sure to wave! For those who don't know, CP is Ceasers nickname at the yard, and of course 51ANY looks like "Siany". Get it?
My boyfriend Mark got me some One Tree Hill DVDs and a very flashy T-shirt that says "No Likey, No Lighty". My obsession for that program gets worse and I can't wait to wear my t-shirt for all to see! Next I was handed a brown envelope by Mark that hinted he wanted me to try something new. I must admit, upon opening my heart was racing and inside I was thinking "Please don't let this be something like Jumping out of a plane". I honestly do not know what I'd have done if it had have been something like that. I would have had to do it to be polite...right?
Anyway, much to my amazement it wasn't so bad and in fact it was a voucher telling me I was spending the day at Leadenham Polo club , learning to and playing Polo! WOW! Excited doesn't even come close to how I'm feeling, I cannot wait to give Polo a go. My initial first comment was "WOW, do I get to pick my own Pony? I want the fastest!". Mark said he didn't know and I should wait to find out and not get too excited as the season didn't start until April so I couldn't redeem my Voucher until then. Boring. I want to go now!!!!

Everyone from my lovely livery yard all chipped in and all got me a personalised saddle cloth, some lovely spurs with jewels in and a fantastic supreme products body suite for Ceaser. We are definitely going to be on fire this season with all our new posh products!

So, 6pm came and it was time to arrive at my Party. My sister insisted I be 'fashionably' late, but to be honest I'd waited for this night to arrive for weeks, and I ended up being half an hour early. We all had a fantastic night and it was brilliant to get friends, family and everyone from the yard together. Some hadn't met before, and by the end of the night we were all singing as loud as we could on the Karaoke. Now that's a party!


The evening was finished off with the cutting of the cake. Now this cake deserves a special mention. Marks Mum does a bit of professional cake making on the side and between her usual job of being a TA and offered to make me my Birthday Cake as a present from her to me. I had no idea she was making this and shed a tear when Mark led me into the back room to see it. On it was Me and Ceaser which she'd handcrafted, and then two jumps next to "us". Speechless is all I can say.. I really was speechless.

I really was spoilt on my Birthday and every body I know made extra special effort.

Now onto funny things. 3am came and it was time for bed. I was shattered so just laid everything from the party on the floor in my bedroom and said I would sort it the next morning. Mark knew where I'd put everything - or so I thought.
At 5am I was woken up by him plodding to the toilet. At 26 he's already like an old man and never fails to get up several times in the night to go to the loo. Although after saturday night he's promised it wont happen again. Thank god!
Anyway, on the way back from the toilet he accidentally stood on a big painting of two horses I'd received for my Birthday. Several crunches later and an "OW", mark hobbled off to the toilet to find he'd in fact cut his foot open quite badly and then proceeded to feel sick. Brilliant. Thank god my sister and her fiance Danny sorted him out, as by this time after seeing all the blood on the floor I was having a panic attack at the fact that I felt sick and mark was moaning he was going to be sick. Word of warning - Please don't ever tell me you feel sick. I panic!

So, Danny cleaned him up, sorted his wound and we finally got some sleep. Only to be woken up at 9am sunday morning to be told by Mum she was worried Mark had bled to death in the night and she was taking him to hospital to be checked. Nursing a bad headache and a sicky hung over feeling I proceeded to spend the day after my 21st in A&E and pushing Mark in a wheelchair to have an X-ray. Boys really know how to top things off. Thank god the X-ray showed he had no glass in his foot and it was just badly cut. The lovely nurses cleaned him up, gave him some crutches and sent him on his way.
I hope he's better by Saturday though, he's my caller for my dressage tests!

Anyway, all I've left to say now is "OH WHAT A NIGHT!"

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Sponsorship article in the Newspaper

Published on Tuesday 3 January 2012 16:29

A HUNDLEBY equestrianist has appealed for sponsors to come forward as she looks to build upon her career.

Sian Lovatt, 20, has been riding since she was six and began to compete with a show pony at county level when she was just 12.

A jumping accident when she was 13 set her back several years as she battled with her confidence in the wake of the incident.

But by the time she was 17 she was desperate to get back in the saddle and began working towards her dressage.

“From then on I have not looked back,” said Sian, “And in the past two years, me and my horse ‘Billy the Kid!’ (Caesar to his friends) have gone from strength to strength.

“We took third out of 21 competitors at the Royal London Show in September after beating some fantastic horses.

“And we have gone from only doing Prelim Dressage tests to gaining 68% in our first ever Elementary test, where we won the class!

“Our average percentage for Prelim and novice tests are now 74% and Elementary at 68%.

“I combine my time riding with work towards my BA Hons Journalism degree at De Montfort University in Leicester where I am also the Equestrian teams Chairperson and A Team Captain.

“When I first took over as Chairperson the team had won nothing, but since I have been in control we have won one of the most prestigious events for the university in 2011 - Varsity.

“I am aiming for BYRDS in 2012 and am hopefully going to their team selections in February.

“I am also aiming for the Veteran of Great Britain finals at Olympia in December 2012 in showing with Billy the Kid.

“I am really looking forward to the 2012 season. Everything lately has just seemed to fit together, and there has been no stopping Billy the Kid in competitions in 2011, so it seems the right step to aim for both BYRDS and Olympia,” she added.

However, to achieve her goals Sian is on the lookout for sponsors for some of her classes and equipment.

“We wouldn’t ask a lot, just some back up from businesses if we need it,” she said.

Sian added that sponsors would enjoy free advertising on two websites, and on horse equipment that she wears at competitions.

Sponsors would also receive advertising in the arena and livery yard at the Hundleby Riding Centre. Sian also has a monthly column in an equestrian magazine, and could mention sponsors in that should they wish.

For more information call Sian on 07584 047340, email sian12@msn.com or visit her website at www.slequestrianandjournalism.co.uk

The Livery yard also has a website at www.hundleby-equestrian.webs.com.

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A New year.

Not a lot has been happening lately. I had to return back to uni this week so Ceaser must think he is on a mini-break again. Luckily I have people to keep him ticking for me by lunging him so he doesn't get too many holidays. I need one of us to be fit!

I have just booked in for my next Elementary test next week. I've decided to stick with my strategy of doing a Novice Test first to both wake him up and get him focused before moving on to the Elementary. I always find that by doing two tests I manage to improve on the second test and if anything has gone wrong in the first I can then sort it out without going home disheartened.

The following week I have booked in for my first Affiliated Dressage event. I'm not sure how that will go, but we will see. I've booked in for a nice and easy test, Prelim 14 to begin with. Depending on how we do I will then join BD and look at doing some Novice tests. I think people have been trying to put the fear of God into me by telling me the judging is awful at BD and a lot harder! Time will tell!

We still have no luck in the form of Sponsorship. I am sure something will come up soon, it is just so frustrating wanting to go out and compete but not having the funds available. I know Sponsorship could help, but we will see how that goes too.

Ceaser is going brilliantly at the moment and must be feeling so well because he feels stronger and definitely wider! He is looking the best he ever has at the moment too and I have had so many comments from people saying he looks brilliant. I cannot wait to get him out Showing, I have a good feeling about 2012.

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