After a frantic few weeks, Parliament has dissolved and I find myself back home in Dorset for the next month. My pass has been frozen, and all I can do is cross my fingers that my MP is re-elected on 8 June. As you can tell from the photo above, I couldn’t resist one last trip up to the roof terrace before I left!
We are only three days in but it is already proving to be a very strange time. We’re in a sort of limbo – still employed to aid the work of an MP, but with no MP to work for. I have been spending much of my time updating databases and archiving emails. It isn’t the most exciting work but there is one big bonus: I can ride every day!!
Freya has been really enjoying our new routine of early morning workouts before I head to my desk. I have been riding her more in the double bridle now she is getting used to it, and it gives me little more control over her natural speediness. I have been really impressed at how easily she has taken to the double. She’s not always good with change so I was very careful to introduce it slowly and gradually. It seems to have paid off because she is very settled in it.
With the Winters out of the way, we’re concentrating on moving up to Advanced Medium. We’ve got a couple of local shows at Kingston Maurward and Moreton Stables before we make the long drive up to Somerford for the Premier League. I haven’t been there since it was renovated so I can’t wait to see what all the fuss is about. For now, I’m going to focus on making sure that the changes are as easy and established in the arena as they are at home. She was good about them in her first Advanced Medium at the end of last year, but I had to work for them! They’ve now got to become just as routine as the rest of the work.
The big excitement of this week was a delivery of new season Animo kit. It comes twice a year in a great big box, and it’s like having an extra birthday and Christmas. My favourite item this season is the Lich jacket, it’s so fitted and flattering but breathable and comfortable too. I am really grateful to Animo for their continued sponsorship. We have been working together for over four years now and their clothing just keeps getting better and better. I would never ride in anything else. It is all really lightweight and comfortable, and so, so stylish. I’m going out to Italy to visit their headquarters at the end of this month and I really cannot wait!
That’s all for now. As always, give me a shout if you have any questions or topic requests. E.x
