Soap boxes.

I am becoming a political vampire! I am all things UKIP and have now been proven right about the Euro and joining the EU. Reading the newspapers in the evening is sending my blood pressure sky high as I plot how to change things and install a better government. It has become so bad that my friends have bought me a box to stand on, preferably in Hyde Park as far away from them as possible! Don't get me started on crime or illegal gypsy camps or some bod from the EU coming here and preaching human rights, I will go off the richter scale! When exactly are the police force going to be able to arrest criminals and not the victims? Why can't laws be changed quickly? Why can't new laws be introduced now? And how can judges be so soft? Do me a favour every body, next election please vote UKIP! We have had labour, or did they have us? Sold us out down the swanee big time! We have had Conservative/Liberal, about as useful as a chocolate teapot! How about trying something new? Ok off the box now, well I had to give it a try didn't I, since they bought it for me!

Went to Stoneleigh today and had a really relaxing time with friends and associates. Some lovely horses, riders, shops and food! I especially liked the new saddle Equipe, that Charlotte made me try. When I finally managed to get on the saddle horse with the help of Simon, the saddle, which has memory foam instead of flocking, was comfortable and immediately put my legs in the correct position. I was stunned by the price, £1600. Blimey, only a bit more than a star spangled hat! Lovely Simon also made me struggle on to the deep seated version which was even better, another grand but worth every penny. Can't wait for Whoopi to grow up so that I can have one! Its nice to know that Simon and associates have done their homework on the structure of the horses back and I feel I can reccomend them to clients with confidence. I was then dragged around the shops by my friend Dan looking for bridles. He found what he wanted in Morgan Equine and I stopped to chat with Suzy who owned Pascal the sire of Pikeur. Of course she remembered him and I had to relay the tragic tale. Bless her she was really kind and quite sad to hear the news. On the way out I spied some hair nets with bling! I was just asking if they came in blonde when I was rudely dragged away! Seems when you shop with a man its all about them not you! Same as yesterday when I met Glen in town. I thought it would be great to have a gay friend to help me shop! Talk about reluctant! I think I am best shopping alone at least then I have time to think about what I want! Even in Guernsey I had to find an outfit in 15 minutes and was timed by wannabe Gok Lihou!
The judges course with JLC was brilliant! We only had 6 horses to look at but she is a legend and was so clear with her marks and great fun to be with. I learnt a lot in a short time despite the fact I learnt the new Inter II for 2012 instead of the current one. What a good job I wasn't judging the class. Reminds me of the last disastrous eventing dressage I ever judged at Mattingly a few years ago. The day went from bad to worse to 'I'm never judging eventing again!' (and I never have)the last straw was when a handsome chap arrived at our arena in his scarlet jacket (I think this denotes International) and proceeded to track the wrong way! I tooted the horn, he stopped and shouted, 'I'm doing horse trials test *A.' By which time I'd had enough anyway, so I shouted back, 'You might be sweetie, but we are doing horse trials test *B !!'
There are some great characters in the horse world. I came across one only the other day! I was doing some test riding with a bunch of great people when in pops a lady of more mature years on a nice chestnut horse. She informs me that there is a hurricane outside, in case I haven't noticed, and she hasn't worked in. So as we only had half an hour slots I suggested I helped her work in and then she could do the test. Well, first she said she didn't need help so we sat back and waited. Eventually she managed to trot round and have a canter, then she stopped and asked for advice so as he wasn't in front of the leg I suggested some short sharp transitions, to which I got told that she was not going to hassle her horse for anyone as it would make him tight over the back. Over the back would have been nice as that would have meant there was some connection but I just smiled sweetly. Anyway to cut a long story short she never did get to do medium 75 as she said she would rather that I helped her with the lateral work postioning! I'm not sure if she was happy or not with her lot. Sometimes you just have to accept there are some people who just don't want to be helped!
Right, time for bed. I read that early risers are slimmer than night owls so on that premise and the fact that I ate two pancakes for lunch, I will get up before 7am and lose a pound or two!