Lyndsey - Petplan Equine Ambassador
We all want the best for our equine friends and for me, being insured with Petplan Equine means I do not have to worry about the cost of any unexpected veterinary fees that occurs. For that I am eternally grateful.
If I'm honest, it seems like a lifetime ago that I wrote my last blog! The winter has been so long. The weather has been cold and wet, the fields and very muddy and Max has been high maintenance. Let me explain.
We finished last season on a high, having qualified for the winter regionals. Over the winter I really like to mix things up for Max. During the summer/competition season we hack about twice a week but over winter I increase this as he really loves it. We also factor in more pole work and beach rides. I just felt as we started later in the season last year (due to my knee injury) we had to chase the qualifications a little, which really put the pressure on and sapped up a lot of time and energy. Overall I felt we had a good season, there were highs and lows and lots of lessons learned. The things that have stood out and that I want to take forward this year are:
A) Relax. Both Max and I get nervous. At home? Never a problem. Go in the boards? We get nervous every time.
B) We never seem to achieve the test we have been practicing at home. Nobody likes to fail, when you try so hard at home. You just want to pull off that perfect test! But do you know what? We did have some failed attempts last year but we learnt from them. We picked ourselves up and we tried again! And that attitude resulted in two sashes last year.
C) It's meant to be fun. So enjoy it! I started the year with a clear plan. Ride our first Medium and get the sheets needed for the
Lyndsey and Max practicing at home
Petplan Equine Area Festivals ASAP – my thought was if we get qualified early then we won't be chasing qualifiers, so less pressure for the season ahead. In January we ticked the first box with our first Medium test complete. It was far from perfect but we did a MEDIUM! Two years ago I would have laughed if someone mentioned riding a Medium. It was a massive milestone reached for us and one I can't wait to explore. But before then we need to get our Elementary sheets done. At the end of January we headed off to Oaklands for two Elementarys and finished with two red rosettes and two sheets in the bag. I won’t lie, I was feeling a little pleased that our plan was coming together.
Lyndsey and Max celebrating their double win at Oaklands
In February we were selected to ride for Shillington Riding Club at the Area 7 Dressage competition. Of course, I was delighted the show fell the week before regionals so it would set us up for the regionals perfectly. We were booked in to ride the Elementary as a team rider and the Medium as an individual rider. Planning ahead I wanted to give Max (and hopefully the team) a fighting chance and book arena hire for the Friday before the show and an overnight stable at Keysoe. I loaded the trailer with our things all ready to go, then loaded Max and hit the road. I always drive Max very carefully as he is a very sensitive soul, plus he is my best friend so I want him to be happy.
As we drove outside the village I could hear Max kicking. I pulled over straight away in a layby. Luckily my friend was with me and we both jumped out the car and in the trailer. Max was going mad, throwing his shoulder and hip against the partition and kicking the side of the trailer with his hind legs. We tried to calm him down and he stopped thrashing for about 30 seconds at a time but then continued to throw himself around. We were at a standstill in a layby on a busy road; it was clear we couldn't risk unloading while he was so distressed as he just wasn't thinking straight and was full of adrenaline. I ran to my car and grabbed some sedation (I always travel with sedation in case of emergency). We sedated him which helped control the situation and meant we could safely unload him and walk him home. My lovely friend walked him and I drove behind with my hazard lights on to ensure they were both safe. I was gutted to see my beautiful horse so upset and not be able to calm him and the ‘what ifs’ were more than I could bear. I contacted the club and told them what had happened and apologised for having to withdraw. Max escaped with a few minor scrapes, the trailer had a hole and I was left very upset and wondered where do we go from here?
I told myself regionals was off. The thought of travelling him anywhere filled me with dread. Sick to the stomach! I didn't know if I would ever travel him again. Is this how our competition journey ends? My closet friends could see how hard this hit me and one offered me her 3.5t horsebox to try Max in. At first I couldn't even think about it, I was too scared to try. I couldn’t risk a repeat performance. I kept saying what if it goes wrong? Her reply ‘what if it goes right?’
I agreed to try. That day we loaded Max and I drove him down a very quiet lane. I was shaking with nerves and my friend watched him on the camera. We only drove about a mile in total but I drove so slowly I think it took about 20 minutes although it seemed like an hour to me! Max travelled fine, he wasn’t stressed and didn't move a muscle. Me on the other hand – I had to go home for a nap, it was all very stressful for me!
We continued to load and travel him every day, slowly taking him further and further. Again he travelled perfectly and I slowly improved! I decided we would aim for regionals again. We hadn't done the preparation that I would have liked but the aim was just to get there safely! Our start time was early morning so my friend and I decided to head up to Addington the night before, as we didn't want any extra pressure on the journey. We discussed our travelling plan, talked about milestones on the route and agreed if there was any messing about at all we would turn around and head home. My friend watched Max on the camera like a hawk and I had the window open between Max and us ‘just in case’ she missed something on the camera. Poor Max had to listen to my tone deaf singing the whole journey, but singing helped calm my nerves. It took us a while to get there (mainly because I drove really slowly) but Max arrived safely and unfazed.
Lyndsey has been working on making Max more comfortable when travelling
We set up his stable and stayed with him for a while before setting off to our hotel. That night I couldn't sleep – I don't like being under prepared but I think it was all the stress and worry that kept me awake, as I was actually looking forward to the test. The next morning came, Max was plaited and ready to rock. Music handed in, it was time to climb on-board. The atmosphere was electric and I knew he could feel it too. He warmed up ok but just became a little tight in the test arena. Not the best test we have ever ridden which is disappointing.
However, a week before we were not going and I didn't know if we would ever dance again – so in the grand scheme of things I was very proud of us.
I had a week to recover from the most stressful week of my life before I headed to Gloucestershire to catch up with the Petplan Equine family. It was lovely to meet up with the Petplan Equine team, fellow continuing Ambassadors and to meet the 3 new Ambassadors . We had a lovely two days together; lots of training, talks, new kit allocations and meeting Lucinda Green MBE! I'm very lucky and grateful that Max and I were reselected as Ambassadors. Lots of exciting things are happening this year and I'm excited to have the opportunity to be involved.
I had to give my friend her horsebox back but while I had been away my lovely husband had arranged to view a very similar horsebox, having seen how the recent events had taken their toll. He didn't want us to give up on our dreams that we have worked so hard for. So he and his mechanical friend purchased a horsebox of our very own! It's amazing how supportive my family are!
I have taken Max for a short drive and so far so good! I will do a few more trips and then it's time to get back to business. We still need that third Petplan Equine Area Festival sheet! I have a show in mind, so we better get practicing.