31/05/2026
The Dartmoor Ride
So many ways to start this post….
*Ive used another of my 9 lives,
*I feel safer at a hunt fun ride than an EGB ride,
*My riding hat saved my life,
*I wish people would pass you at a trot and nothing faster,
*I’m lucky to be alive,
* Thankful for my endurance buddies that looked after me and Bella ,
Or how about we go for all of the above 🤷🏻♀️
A somewhat disaster day at The Dartmoor Ride, sparing the details Bella and I parted company and then I got a kick in the back of my head.
My biggest fear of coming off Bella is that she’d just run and run and run, she is a typical flight animal but she didn’t, she cantered off a few meters then came back to me, a huge relief.
I am extremely grateful to so many people, firstly Jenny and Carina Kane who were with me and were super cool, then to everyone at the checkpoint, Claire West and Mark you were fab, Emily Notting-Hill the legend for taking care of Bella and feeding me sweets, the ride organiser Vicky for getting Dr Mike out on the moors to sort me out and getting my lorry out to the moors courtesy of Geoff and Ant so we could get the horses back to the venue. A shout out to Martin Browne and Rich Gold for being there and helping coz I was pretty useless! Others whose names I don’t know for keeping me warm and getting me a drink and just being bloody amazing! If I’ve forgotten anyone I apologise but I’ve had a bump to the head 🤕.
Bella dealt with the whole ordeal remarkably well, loaded, unloaded and trotted up by strangers. We had the horses signed fit to travel and our master cards marked as “retired on course” and headed home, I was passenger and felt ok-ish at this point.
However, I went downhill, I ended up going to A&E on mothers request, which I wouldn’t do lightly, I’ve have enough of hospitals the last 12 months. I had a 2 inch slice and a hole in my head, I’ve been glued, stitched and jabbed, x-rayed and am back home appreciating how lucky I am. Without my Charles Owen hat I would not be here. A quiet few days for me as the consultant said I have a “significant” head injury, I’ll be needing a new riding hat when my head is ready to try some on!
And again, a HUGE thankyou to all those that helped me out today and for the messages I’ve had since it happened.
Never ride without a hat, it doesn’t impress anyone.