Burghley Horse Trials 2010

Every year I look forward to Burghley Horse Trials and this year was no exception. I decided to attend the cross country on Saturday to enjoy the exciting thrills and spills of eventing. Anyone who has attended Burghley Horse Trials will instantly remember the huge amounts of shops there are to peruse! However on arrival we decided to walk the course (there was no way I was going to be able to carry all my shopping around the cross country!). The weather was beautiful and we set off around the course stopping for various food stuffs along the way! If you have never attended, here is a great map of the course to give you an idea of the route. Throughout the day I wanted to get some equestrian action shots but this was a little harder than I first thought! I didn’t have my own camera and the one I borrowed had more than a slight delay...as you can see I did have a little trouble even getting a horse in the shot!
Whoops!Too close!

However my photography skills did start to improve, although it was still safer to try and get a galloping shot!

I really enjoyed being near the start/ finish and seeing the riders ready to go and everyone cooling the horses off once they completed the course.

Here is William Fox-Pitt setting off...

And finishing...And a delighted Mary King completing the course...
After walking the course I moved on to my next favourite past time; shopping! And after a glass or two of Champagne I did get rather carried away. In fact I even had to send my boyfriend back to the car (which he couldn’t find for ages!) with all my bags. Towards the end of the day we saw the very lovely Clare Balding in the Rural Crafts tent and she very kindly signed the wellies my boyfriend bought me for my birthday! I’m not sure if I can wear them now?! Big thanks to Clare for the signature!

I have still yet to find time to watch the television coverage but I have recorded it and I see it is also available on BBC iplayer. If you’ve never attended the event I suggest you watch the footage – it may well inspire you to give it a try next year. Big congratulations to Caroline Powell on her fantastic win! I’m looking forward to watching the winning round this evening. And next year I’ve decided i’m going for two days! There’s just not enough time for me to cram such an amazing event in to one day.

Badminton Horse Trials

Well every year I head off to Burghley Horse Trials and with Garden Divas we have even worked the weekend selling our gorgeous goodies at the event! However last Bank Holiday I was faced with the prospect of working all weekend (help!). Suddenly I realised it was the weekend of Badminton Horse Trials and that was it I was straight on the website to find out ticket prices, directions and times etc....

So come Sunday myself and my non horsey partner Simon (who I think only came along as he was heading out with the boys the next day and wanted to keep me sweet ;-) ) ventured off in the absolutely POURING rain!!! As we drove the rain got worse and worse and well quite frankly worse! Panic started to set in as I realised i'd only got a light waterproof and no change of outfit. Two and a half hours later we arrived and followed the twists and turns into the grounds. Mud was visible and with further rain falling I had visions of Burghley 2008 (check out the Garden Divas blog for a photographic explanation haha). No sooner had we got out the car and the rain stopped yippeeee! So off we headed to walk the Cross Country Course which was quite simply fantastic. It’s a fair way round so I had to keep Simon entertained with various food and drink stalls- not a problem for me as I got to sample a few things J. Once we’d walked the course I happily stood and watched Zara Phillips warm up whilst Simon waited for his donuts! Then it was time to hit the shops.... What greater way to spend the day- horses and shopping! I have to say I did come home with a few fabulous purchases but then the day would’ve been wasted if I didn’t. I could have happily spent another day there, we didn’t manage to get all the way round but perhaps that was a good thing- I was rapidly running out of pennies! Here are a few snaps from the day...I think we only actually managed to get five or so photos with the horses actually in (photography is clearly not my forte!). All in all a great day- can’t wait for Burghley now. And who knows, perhaps next year we’ll have a Horse Diva Stall!!!

Here comes the rain...

Well I woke this morning to the sound of pouring rain outside the window and honestly didn't want to get out of bed. However I dragged my sorry self out from under the duvet and headed to the yard where the field looked dramatically flooded and the horses were not as eager as normal to get out the stables! Plus I know as well as the next person this is not a one off day and Winter has well and truely arrived.

So to help you get through the dark, wet and cold months ahead (we love it really!) here are a few suggestions....

Keep warm this Winter with the Katrine Fleece. Perfect to wear under your waterproof coat out hacking- great fit with long sleeves and it's long in the body.
Orginally designed as an Apres Ski boot, the Snugg will keep your feet warm and dry at the yard or out walking to dog.

Use layers to keep warm - wear these knee high socks under your jodhpurs on those icy mornings



And dont let your hair get ruined...keep it covered from the rain with this Messy Mare Beanie...

And when you're all mucked out, you've finished getting drenched whilst hacking through the bridleways, plus you have a cold face from galloping in the wind...treat yourself to a luxury hot chocolate in your Messy Mare Mug. Bliss.

Stable Fashion Hits the High Street!

Here at The Horse Diva, we’re all about bringing fashion to the farm! After all why should we have to walk down the High Street looking stylish and then put on our drab rags for the yard? However it seems that the fashion designers are currently being influenced by the equine industry (hurrah)! Take your passion for horses into the office with the popular Riding Boot! Retailers including Moda in Pelle and Faith have created a range of styles all inspired by the Riding Boots we wear whilst hacking, schooling and competing! Our personal favourites are these Tally Ho Boots from Red or Dead- great for the office, shopping or a night out but practical enough to keep on if you suddenly have to dash to the yard (no more tottering into the stable in your 3inch heels after a long day at work!)! We think these are brilliant gift idea for the stylish Horse Diva in your life- why not team with our very own Tally Ho Dodo Equine Organiser for the perfect Tally Ho present!

Trip to Burghley Horse Trials!

Hi all,

We went off to Burghley Horse Trials this weekend on Cross Country day and we had a brilliant time :-) !! The sun was shining and as usual I spent a lot of money. I thought i'd take the camera to try and get a few snaps but I have to admit I missed most of the vital moments! A lot of the photos came out just with the horse landing over the jump or disappearing out of view- haha! Oh well, here are the best ones!This is definately my best action shot...!!

Blog No 1!

Hi everyone! Thought i'd get my blog started with a few happy snaps of my ned!

At the moment I am trying to grow his feathers out- they look a bit muddy on the outside but are bright white underneath! I'm using some fabulous pig oil and sulphur to keep them in good condition and it's really helping. Many thanks to the lovely lady who gave me lots of advice on the horse and hound forum. If you are not registered i'd fully recommend it http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/ubbthreads.php. Off to Burghley Horse Trials over the weekend- I hope the sun will make an appearance???!!!
Katie xxx