My mood too, is much less like a grizzly bear who’s been disturbed with a sharp stick these days due to thoughts and plans for the Spring competition season ahead. Although looking at the last few photographs I added online, many people seem to think I’m in a perpetual state of anger. I seem to be the guy photographers call when they want moody and irate. I’m trying not to read anything in to it. There was a brief respite when my agency called with a Guinness commercial. They are determined to make me into a stereotypical beer swilling Irish lad despite the fact that I have to use both hands to hold a pint of beer while I wonder where the little frilly umbrella has gone.

Rex is doing really fabulously. Our trip to Germany has been postponed till the end of May to let the Swedish riders prepare for European qualifiers. Our first proper big show is going to be Cavan Festival, unfortunately downgraded form international level, but luckily for me and Rex, it still has Hickstead Masters qualifiers at novice level. Its going to be a crazy week with three days of a fashion shoot the previous weekend quite nearby in Cavan organised by Shootmephotographer.com to celebrate their first year. But it will have me fresh faced and polished for the show ring.

Rex’s stable mate Axeminster ran his first point-to-point race last week. He managed to lead the field by about a full lap until the last quarter where he ran out of puff, all spit and vinegar like typical Irish boys! On the other side of the stable yard our first foal has been born, a lovely leggy bay thoroughbred filly by the racing stallion Stowaway. Rex is totally sure it’s his and shows his pride by puffing up and piaffing every time it trots by. We have a new arrival in the form of a cute little welsh pony that’s part of the new pony breeding program and she fills the space of the two year old thoroughbred filly sold at Gorsebridge horse auction. She’s sure to be a superstar in the right hands.

I think I’ve unleashed a nightmare in the form of my personal trainer at the gym, he checked me out on youtube and has done some research. He thinks I need to be stronger through the core and then my half halts will be better.  He can tell me about half halts but couldn’t remember the colour of my horse. I’ve had a reassessment and I’m officially five percent body fat. (Which also might influence my half halting power on my 18. 2 horse!) Now my mornings are full of things like parallel box dips and tricep bench dips. I asked him if I should do them on the diagonal or on the long side. He wasn’t impressed. I’m off to look up what an aqua-man exercise is meant to look like. I don’t suppose it means paddling around the jacuzzi does it?

I’m alive for one day even if its only to have the same conversation
with another big bruisery bloke at the gym in the morning.
Perhaps I’ll just do cardio tomorrow….