24 September 2025
After last month’s excitement of welcoming Etty into the world, this month’s update might seem a little less dramatic… but honestly? I still have so much to be grateful for.
Maple has been keeping me busy, and keeping me humble. We had a bit of a setback with mounting after some saddle fit issues earlier in the summer, but that’s thankfully been resolved, and we’re slowly but surely seeing progress again. She’s still not standing like a saint every time, but she is standing better, so I’ll take that as a win!
She’s also been heading off to the water treadmill regularly, which I really do think has been a game changer for her strength. Combine that with a few more pole clinics and hacking adventures, and she’s starting to really come into herself. There’s been a bit of a “backwards” phase (both literally and figuratively), but we’re beginning to catch glimpses of what she could be capable of… and it feels pretty exciting.
Winnie and Etty are also doing brilliantly. I can’t believe how fast the little lady is growing! Now that I’m back teaching full-time, I don’t get to visit quite as often, but that does make every trip even more special. Etty is quite the bold little character and full of sass, every cuddle and scratch feels like such a gift.
And maybe that’s why, in the lead up to Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) I have found myself reflecting on gratitude even more. It’s a time to pause, reset. A time to acknowledge where we’ve been and where we’re going.
Looking back, this past year has been huge. Never would I have imagined myself with three horses! And all while juggling my first year of teaching, recovering from a serious accident that landed me in hospital, and somehow keeping staying afloat. I definitely couldn’t do it all without the incredible people around me.
So as I head into this new chapter I’m holding on tightly to that sense of gratitude. For the highs and lows, the tiny breakthroughs, the foal cuddles, and yes… even the days it takes me over ten minutes to get on Maple. Because all of it adds up to something worth celebrating.
If anyone needs me over the next few weeks, you’ll find me soaking up every spare second with the girls and manifesting a year ahead full of happy people and happy horses.
So here’s to a sweet new year, in every sense of the word
Leah x
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