The Start
Quite incredibly it was my mum who suggested I start a blog – she thought it would be good to document my hip replacement for my own record and on the offchance it might help others going through the same thing. I pondered the idea (having previously blogged at university and then abandoned it) but when I got my operation through I was motivated to start.
The Premise
I wanted my blog to be about my hip replacement but also about my pony – getting back to riding was the biggest motivation for my recovery. I have so many riding goals and aspirations and one day I’m sure I will achieve some of them!
The Experience
I have always enjoyed writing – I said I’d write a book while I was recovering but I didn’t get very far with it, my blog has been much more successful! I have also been able to push my interest in photography further – I’ve always been a snapper but now I really care about the quality of my photos. I also enjoyed making my own blog logo! I would love to work for a horsey magazine doing write ups with photos!
The Reaction
I was bowled over by the number of people who seemed to be interested enough to read my blog – I even bumped into a mum of a child who used to go to the school I used to work at who said she read it – amazing! It has reconnected me with some people – a bonus!
The Goal
To get feedback that my blog has helped others has been fairly surreal but really good – I hope that new people will continue to benefit from my account of my experience and that my current readers will enjoy following the next steps for me and Pea!
The Community
I have found blogging really therapeutic on its own but it has also allowed me to join lovely little communities of hippy people and of horsey people, some of whom have suffered injuries, with disabilities, from low confidence, who I can admire or relate to. The internet can be an unpleasant place sometimes but it can also be a really supportive one.
The Achievement
If you didn’t already know.. on Wednesday I found out that I have been chosen as a finalist for the Equestrian Blog of the Year Award. I feel so privileged to have achieved this and for my ‘silly little blog’ to be recognised alongside some really amazing bloggers.
If you would like to read more about the award please check out:
http://hay-net.co.uk/equestrian-blogger-talent-recognised-in-awards/
Update!
I won the ‘Rising Star’ award – I absolutely couldn’t be happier to have been recognised and to have been chosen for one of four awards is just unbelievable!
http://www.hay-net.co.uk/winner-of-the-equestrian-blogger-of-the-year-award-2018-announced/
Young Hip and Horsey 