January vibes

Wow work feels hard at the moment. Every Monday, I check in with Jenni Bush my equestrian business mentor and everyone in our group scores mindset and motivation. Usually I am pretty healthy in the scores and that is true now too.

But it's still hard. There is literal and metaphorical mud everywhere and it is sapping for horse owners and equestrian businesses alike.

It will be Spring soon and while that will be welcome from a light and time perspective, am I the only one who will be a little sad to see the back of Winter? Yes we still have February and no doubt there will be some colder, murkier days beyond that, but there is a stillness and a respite in Winter that only exists then.

Disco Dressage is up against it this year. I have some challenges around music licensing which unless I can fix, will preclude many of my coaches who work in smaller or private yards from being involved. But that fundamental work with the licensing agency has to go on the back burner while I work with my coaches who are able to deliver in already-licensed venues. They are our fuel, they keep the disco ball spinning.

I need our venues more than ever to help with promotion, not always easy amidst jump clearing, arena harrowing and client management. Only the most organised are going to be able to deliver and survive.

Probably time for some lunch. Earlier, my brother-in-law sent me the loveliest photo of a Fell pony's furry nose which for this week will have to be the horsey fix I realise I need to soothe my soul. I hope to see a real life horse or pony next week when the weather is supposed to be a little more settled....the sun is streaming in through my office window today but i'm on a roll so I'm going to plough on with the tough stuff.