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Last week I was invited for an interview regarding a 3 month placement/internship and I was fortunate to have been awarded it. I start at the beginning of August, typically my 21st birthday! I am still yet to find somewhere to stay, cutting it slightly short I know, but I have one or two more flat shares to look at so fingers crossed! I did ideally want my own flat but as the contract is only for 3 months then I'm having to rent a room instead. Obviously I am also hoping to take Pea along with me, however I have not had the chance to look at any livery yards yet as I've been busy finding myself somewhere and I know I can leave him at home for the time being.
I'm quite excited about my next 'chapter' but also slightly nervous, which I'm sure will intensify as it gets closer to me starting! I've always been really shy and whilst I have become slightly more confident during university, I sometimes wish that I could be more confident. However, with that being said I have realised that I do take more 'risks', if that's what you could maybe call them? I've also realised that I'm quite independent. I am the first in my family to attend university, and whilst I did not necessarily live there full time (in the first year I would come home at weekends for Pea after a month of having him at uni and him not liking the livery) or have the 'full university experience' it was still something that I would say was slightly out of my comfort zone. I have also done a few other things such as travelling to Blenheim Horse Trials and volunteering there for the week as well as working at Belton Horse Trials. I hope to do more volunteering when I move to give me something else to do at the weekend. With these things in mind it has made me realise that maybe I am slightly more confident that what I give myself credit for as I do go out and take 'risks' if that's what you could call them?
So, here is to the next part of my life. It's quite surreal no longer being in education and having to go out into the 'real world' but hey ho!
Thanks for reading,
Laura xx
When I saw a comment from Hannah asking if I would be interested in writing a review on her new novel, 'Share and Share Alike', I knew I couldn't refuse. I am such a book nerd; I will spend hours reading a good book - often staying up until the early hours of the morning or wasting a day away stuck with my head in a book. 'Share and Share Alike' is a racing novel following Tessa as she forms part of a syndicate, only to end up with the horse being deliberately injured.
The story will make you play detective as you try and work out who the culprit is. I was so sure I knew who it was only to be completely wrong...good thing I don't plan on going into the police force or even law for that matter, I'd be rubbish! However, I love how the author makes you question everyone and that it's not predictable about the outcome or the reasoning behind. I get bored and annoyed when books become predictable, it just ruins the element of surprise, but this story definitely does not do that and I ended up so engrossed, promising myself just one more chapter, only to still be there an hour or two later - oops!
Alongside the crime mystery there is also a romance story which I love. I'm such a sucker for good romance novels... Although this is slightly more predictable, I still got swept away in the story and found myself laughing and also crying (in happiness though!) which is slightly embarrassing, but it just goes to show that I got completely engrossed in this book!
The book caters for everyone as even if you don't know much about horses or racing you can still follow along with great ease as she cleverly gives explanations about aspects that might be confusing within the industry. For example, the purpose of the handicapper and weights is explained really well, which I really liked as, although I do enjoy going to the races, I was still slightly unsure about how this worked, but luckily, I'm now more clued up.
So, if you're looking for a good book to get lost in this summer, I completely recommend you go and check out 'Share and Share Alike' as I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Just be sure to leave a few hours to read it, just in case you get a bit too engrossed as I did!
Here are the links for you to be able to find the book:
Amazon
Kobo
Itunes
Paperback
Also, be sure to check out her website to find out about her other novels. I am definitely planning on reading some more! You can also find other methods of purchasing the book on here if need be!
Thanks for reading,
Laura xx
Today, July 12th, is International Helmet Awareness Day. To me, this is one of the most important dates for equestrians as I feel that there are still too many people who believe they are invincible and that they trust their horse, believing they will be fine to ride without a helmet, even if it's just to the field bareback. It is one of my biggest pet hates within the industry to see people riding without a helmet, even more so when I see pictures of people jumping without anything on their head, or a baseball cap - I mean seriously, what's a baseball cap going to protect?!
Horses are so unpredictable, that no matter how long you've had them, or even if they're 'bombproof' there could always be a time when something unexpected happens. I remember years ago hearing about a girl local to me being killed because she went to ride her horse bareback into the stable from it being tied up outside, just a few meters away, but the horse ended up spooking and she fell off onto concrete, dying instantly. As much as it's a sad tale, it could have easily been prevented by simply putting a riding hat on.
There are so many riding hats available now to buy - and I mean suitable ones which have the proper kitemarking and safety procedures having been performed before they are available to be sold. It's another annoyance of mine when I see supermarkets selling 'riding hats' cheap, these are not going to protect your head from a nasty fall! I would love to know how they get away with selling them because surely they are not suitable? I remember last year, seeing photos of Laura Collett's helmet when she suffered her nasty fall at Tweseldown and it makes you realise that if that's the damage done by a hat, imagine the damage your head could go through without one on!
So, my advice is, please don't think you're 'invincible' or that your horse is '100% safe' because accidents do happen, and chances are they're more likely to happen when you decide not to put your hat on!
Thanks for reading,
Laura xx
