Lyndsey - Petplan Equine Ambassador

This is my first blog as a Petplan Equine Ambassador and I still squeal with excitement every time I say that!

Max is my 10 year old, 14.2 Chestnut welsh section D gelding officially called Kalistalodge Mr Man. I have owned Max for nearly eight years. I bought him to show in mountain and moorland classes, plus a few native working hunter type classes. However, due to Max been unwell at five with liver problems, he is now on a strict diet and we have changed discipline and compete in dressage. Max is a typical welsh pony; very cheeky with a bubbly personality, strong willed, slightly crazy, full of self-importance but very loyal and such fun to be around. I feel very lucky to have found a best friend like Max.

If we briefly go back to November 2016; Max and I finished our competition season late

November, we had a fantastic last competition completing at our regional qualifications in the novice freestyle to achieve a score over 70%. It was a fabulous way to end our season and I was feeling very excited about the road ahead. My plan was to give Max a rest, maybe factor in some jumping, and then start training and planning for the next season.

December 2016 was full of unbelievable highs and lows! Honestly never in my wildest dreams did I think these events were on the horizon. Early in December I received an email from Petplan Equine to say Max and I have made the shortlist to be Ambassadors. This was a massive shock, totally unexpected, my heart burst with pride. I kept thinking, who, me? I'm not a professional? Nor do I have a fancy horse? It's just me and my welsh pony! Two days later disaster struck! I was in Max's stable on a step ladder, the ladder rocked and I fell and dislocated my kneecap. An ambulance ride and several doses of morphine later, the doctor put the kneecap back in place. It was very painful and swollen so it was very clear I wouldn't be walking, let alone riding anytime soon.

How can you go for extreme highs to massive lows? I could see all my dreams slipping away. Friends stepped in to look after Max but I was devastated, I have looked after him for eight years so I did not want to sit at home. In early January, Petplan Equine came to visit me and Max as part of the selection process. I explained in more detail about the injury. Although the meeting went well and Max was his adorable self, I understood that I was probably out of the running. Late January I had a call from Kate at Petplan Equine and we had been selected! I couldn't believe it, I burst into tears (in fact there are tears in my eyes now as I write this)! For someone to believe in you when you are at your lowest point and for someone to see something in you is totally overwhelming and very unexpected. I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to Petplan Equine for their support.

Moving forward

In February the other Ambassadors and I were invited to The Unicorn Trust Equestrian Centre in Gloucestershire for media training and an Ambassador briefing. It was great meeting everyone and hearing their stories, we had a fabulous two days talking to the press and a glossy photoshoot (I'm normally covered in mud with straw in my hair, while balancing horses, work and the school run! So it was a world away from normal life).

At the end of February I was still walking with a walking stick due to my knee injury. After a holiday and more rest for my knee, the day came to sit back on my pony! I was excited, nervous, happy, worried and many other feelings. I had waited three months, so all the ‘what ifs’ were racing through my mind, replaying the accident in my head. I pulled up my big girl pants and climbed on board (with friends helping of course). I was on board for about 20 minutes, I tried a little trot but I really struggled to rise in the trot, my knee couldn't react in time. It was more like jelly on a plate then Charlotte and Valegro, but hey who cares I’M ON MY PONY!!

In March, I booked myself a session on the horse simulator 'Barney' as I wanted to focus on me, after all Max is perfect it's me who needs to improve. I enjoyed the session and I found it really helpful. I also had a session with a lady called Suzanne Lindsey who offers sports coaching, as we all know horses are very intuitive and I do not want my negative thoughts to pass down the reins. Suzanne helped me to refocus and regain some self-confidence. I enjoyed it so much; I have booked in to our first show of the season! Keep your fingers crossed for me; hopefully we will make it home in one piece!

2017 goals

For 2017 my aim is to get to work with Max to start our quest for the Petplan Equine Area Festivals first round sheets at elementary. We need 6 scores over 62% so we can do two first rounds. That's our first priority! Then once we have them we plan on trying a medium or two. This is more than we ever dreamed of but we are going to work hard and make it happen.

We will also aim for British Dressage Native Championships at elementary and the Chiltern and Thames Summer Dressage Championships at elementary. And most importantly, we plan on having fun along the way!