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Growing up, I never knew my dad. Now don't get me wrong, I lived with my mum, my dad and my siblings together in a (most of the time) happy home. But I never knew him. He was always busy, always working, always doing something, or engaged in some project or other; being stressed, being the disciplinarian, being a figure that we respected and tried our best not to piss off (we were a little wild as kids). Not spending time with his family relaxing and spending quality time; and to be brutally honest, there was a time when I resented him for that. But as I and my brother and sister grew up, his health started fail, and I started to learn more about him. I learnt that the the heart attack he suffered after the recession in the early 90's was mostly stress induced as he fought to keep an income to keep his family in comfort. I learnt that the debilitating injury that damaged his spine was because of something that he was doing to help out me and my brother. I learnt that he wasnt an angry, stressed figure to be avoided, but a husband and father determined to provide the best he could for his family (alright, maybe he was a bit of an unnecessarily grumpy old bastard occasionally, but we can all have bad days) But most of all I learnt that some people are prepared to sacrifice their entire lives for the good of the people they love, even when those they do it for dont necessarily understand or appreciate it. He wasnt a saint, but he was fair. He wasnt a hero, but he always tried to do the right thing. What he really was though, was a good man. Sadly, today, after a long fight, he finally lost the fight against heart disease and passed. And I STILL dont know him. I never took the time to actually talk to him as a man, not just as my dad, and I think I may always regret that. So without meaning to sound too cliched, take the time to get to know your family. Not as mothers and fathers, or brothers and sisters, but as the people they are when you aren't there. Because one day you might not have the chance. Thank you Dad, for everything. Xx

"Dad. DAD. Look. The jaffa cakes. They're right there. I'm just gonna help myself, k? K." Don't worry, the new year health kick is still going strong! I didn't participate in any jaffa cake eating - Sammy had my share! Am I the only person in the world who doesn't like jaffa cakes...? 🤔

Can we all agree that cold frosty mornings are one of the (only) best bits of winter?

Trying to find a highlight from such a brilliant 2019 is a tough one, so for today's #trotinto2020 post, I'm cheating and choosing two! The first one is the Blenheim eventer challenge. I've never done well enough to be invited somewhere like that before, so to get to go was a huge honour and very exciting. We werent competitive, but we had an amazing time and such a fun round. When the commentator thanks you as you're leaving for providing such an exciting round to watch, you know you've done good! The second one is the first Chilham event in April. This was a real turning point for us after such a rubbish start to the year, and to finally be a proper competitor after years of just muddling through was just so overwhelming. We spent the day chatting to friends too, and Georgia (@diary_of_a_dun) was there too competing on Barney, and to be able to share the day with someone who was genuinely so excited for us and understood all of our previous struggles made it that much sweeter. So thank you to Georgia for making it that touch more memorable! It was possibly the most fun, lighthearted day I've ever had out Eventing, so it was a definite highlight of the year! Also, in case you'd forgotten...... Yes, Troy is a bloody legend!

Jez being a bit of a wanker in his lesson with @bobbyhayler this morning. He clearly didn't get the memo that I am NOT fit enough for this shit. 🤦🏻‍♂️ #stillrecoveringfromchristmas

And for day 5....here are my top tips for saving time! ▪️Rugs with necks are your friend (so long as it doesn't rub out the mane and overheat the horse). They cover more of the horse and mean that they arent (in theory) as muddy when you try and get them clean later! ▪️ Similarly, keep tails plaited for turnout to avoid them from becoming a muddy, deadlock-y lump. ▪️ Use your mornings wisely. Getting up early allow me a fair amount of time in the morning to ride and muck out, and as there are less people about, I spend less time chatting too! ▪️ Ask for help if you need it. And give yourself a break every now and again!!! There are some days where I have to drop Harry to school in the morning, or pick him up in the evening. Thankfully I have a fair amount of people I can rely on to sort the horses out for me on these days. It means that I get to spend more time chilling out with Harry, and neither of us becomes resentful of the yard for taking away our quality time together (especially when it's wet and cold and 'orrible!). What are your top tips for saving time over winter? I'm always open for more suggestions! #trotinto2020 #rivieraprltd

Contact Us

Little Bentley Livery Yard,
Halland,
East Sussex
BN8 6PT

07748 947345

littlebentleyeventing@gmail.com

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