Well we survived, just! I won't be organizing it for a big group again when it's meant to be my holiday that's for sure The venue was nice as ever, it was the weather and number of people that were challenging.
I arrived Thursday and it was sunny but windy, I got everything organized and grabbed Jess for a ride, she was a little antsy as Hank was fussing about her leaving, then as we got out of sight she lost the plot which is something she has never done when asked to leave others, being red hot in season didn't help we managed a 5 mile toddle, maintaining a walk was hard work though, I just had to sit quiet and not touch her. But over all I had a lovely day
Friday lunchtime others started arriving. The weather was horrific, torrential rain and wind, so we gave up on riding and spent the afternoon playing tiddlywinks the other half arrived early evening (wise decision based on the forecast).
Saturday the forecast was for better weather, and we were excited to walk up to no more rain, but it steadily went down hill We needed to leave by 11am, to meet the photographers on the beach around noon for low tide, unfortunately my mum was running late and I needed to see her before getting on (as I knew Jess was going to be a pain after Thursday's behavior). Apparently half the group thought that meant they should sit around drinking tea after I went out to meet mum, they thought when I said I would be getting on as soon as she arrived meant I would go back and let them all know they needed to think about tacking up, so mum arrived and I got Jess ready and they were only just starting to tack up Jess got worse and worse, screaming and carrying on for Hank. I am covered in bruises where she was ploughing into me and she busted my head cam. It took them another 45 minutes to get ready as they decided to prep 1 horse at a time All this time we have 15 photographers, plus my mum and 2 others, stood on the beach waiting, plus the hour + it took us to get up there meant them waiting nearly 2 hours in 45 KPH winds and torrential rain
On the way to the beach Jess messed about at a patch of mud so rather than waiting for a second as I had asked, 1 person cut over the crops, I yelled, she yelled back, not a great start. We had 2 who didn't want to trot, poor Jess and another horse were physically shivering and really needed to trot, to warm up and settle Jess down. The beach was uneventful, if very wet and cold. Then we head off and the original plan was to stop at the pub, which honestly I would have happily skipped but the double amputee needed a few minutes out of the saddle, so I got it in the ear from others who weren't happy I suggested they take the maps I printed them and head home, but they didn't bring the map and the one who'd been with me before couldn't remember the way eventually after 4 hours in torrential rain we made it back to camp, everyone a bit down trodden and grumpy. 4 decided at that point to leave.
Mum went and grabbed us all fish and chips, then the 4 left. The remainder of the evening was actually very pleasant and we have a giggle and really good catch up, and I have been invited to join them on a horseback safari later this year.....its on my bucket list, but not sure I can stretch to it, we shall see.
Sunday there was just the 4 riders left, and thankfully it wasn't raining so we saddled up and did 5 miles with a pub stop, it was exhausting after the previous days dousing, so although it was a nice ride, it wasn't desperately enjoyable
It was nice catching up with my friends, but the weather was sh!t, it was very cramped with everyone in 1 sitting area in the bunkhouse, I def will not take the little boys again and I really felt like I was pulled between people all weekend and they didn't do what I asked them to and sort themselves out.
Pics to follow
I arrived Thursday and it was sunny but windy, I got everything organized and grabbed Jess for a ride, she was a little antsy as Hank was fussing about her leaving, then as we got out of sight she lost the plot which is something she has never done when asked to leave others, being red hot in season didn't help we managed a 5 mile toddle, maintaining a walk was hard work though, I just had to sit quiet and not touch her. But over all I had a lovely day
Friday lunchtime others started arriving. The weather was horrific, torrential rain and wind, so we gave up on riding and spent the afternoon playing tiddlywinks the other half arrived early evening (wise decision based on the forecast).
Saturday the forecast was for better weather, and we were excited to walk up to no more rain, but it steadily went down hill We needed to leave by 11am, to meet the photographers on the beach around noon for low tide, unfortunately my mum was running late and I needed to see her before getting on (as I knew Jess was going to be a pain after Thursday's behavior). Apparently half the group thought that meant they should sit around drinking tea after I went out to meet mum, they thought when I said I would be getting on as soon as she arrived meant I would go back and let them all know they needed to think about tacking up, so mum arrived and I got Jess ready and they were only just starting to tack up Jess got worse and worse, screaming and carrying on for Hank. I am covered in bruises where she was ploughing into me and she busted my head cam. It took them another 45 minutes to get ready as they decided to prep 1 horse at a time All this time we have 15 photographers, plus my mum and 2 others, stood on the beach waiting, plus the hour + it took us to get up there meant them waiting nearly 2 hours in 45 KPH winds and torrential rain
On the way to the beach Jess messed about at a patch of mud so rather than waiting for a second as I had asked, 1 person cut over the crops, I yelled, she yelled back, not a great start. We had 2 who didn't want to trot, poor Jess and another horse were physically shivering and really needed to trot, to warm up and settle Jess down. The beach was uneventful, if very wet and cold. Then we head off and the original plan was to stop at the pub, which honestly I would have happily skipped but the double amputee needed a few minutes out of the saddle, so I got it in the ear from others who weren't happy I suggested they take the maps I printed them and head home, but they didn't bring the map and the one who'd been with me before couldn't remember the way eventually after 4 hours in torrential rain we made it back to camp, everyone a bit down trodden and grumpy. 4 decided at that point to leave.
Mum went and grabbed us all fish and chips, then the 4 left. The remainder of the evening was actually very pleasant and we have a giggle and really good catch up, and I have been invited to join them on a horseback safari later this year.....its on my bucket list, but not sure I can stretch to it, we shall see.
Sunday there was just the 4 riders left, and thankfully it wasn't raining so we saddled up and did 5 miles with a pub stop, it was exhausting after the previous days dousing, so although it was a nice ride, it wasn't desperately enjoyable
It was nice catching up with my friends, but the weather was sh!t, it was very cramped with everyone in 1 sitting area in the bunkhouse, I def will not take the little boys again and I really felt like I was pulled between people all weekend and they didn't do what I asked them to and sort themselves out.
Pics to follow