Like so many of the wonderful things in life, I am late to the party that is Diary of a Wimpy Eventer. On a whim whilst waiting for a plane, glass of champagne in hand, I made the decision to download the e-book.
When you pick up a book and are laughing out loud within the first few pages, you know you are in for a good time. And that is exactly what Vic Brant’s first book Diary of a Wimpy Eventer: How to get your leg over offers. But don’t be fooled into thinking that this book is nothing more than a light, humorous read. It so much more than just that. Through an honest and gritty account of her toughest times, both in and out of the saddle I found myself inspired and full of hope.
On face value Diary of a Wimpy Eventer is about a woman’s journey in the equestrian world but at its heart it is so much more. It’s a book about life. It’s a book about how to dig yourself out of a hole of darkness, when you’re feeling low and don’t see any other future. It’s about finding that thing in life that sets your soul on fire and gives you purpose.
“The basics are very simple; surround yourself with people that either couldn’t give a sh* t, ones that would give their last sh* t to see you succeed, or that ones that don’t know what sh* t you’re doing! It will almost certainly improve your life and boost your confidence.” – Victoria Brant – Diary of a Wimpy Eventer
This book is a must read for three reasons:
- Vic is an excellent story teller, she has the ability to take you on a journey that illicts the full range of emotions with her heartfelt, honest and raw manner.
- Vic intimately understands the horse world, the good, the bad and the ugly.
- And finally it’s relatable. A great many of us have had our confidence shattered into a thousand tiny pieces. Faced with the choice to move forward and glue each of these infitesimly small pieces back together or quit, Vic chooses the former path aided by a swig of port and an Imodium or two.
The book starts by getting you up to speed with Vic’s journey with horses and then follow her blog for the first year. As a reader, I felt like I was sitting down in the pub with Vic, my new best friend. And I loved seeing her grow, she is friendly, passionate and unapologetic.
Sitting on the plane surrounded by about 100 other people tears sprang to my eyes. Not because I have dealt with fear the way that Vic has but because I understand the pain that threatened when she decided that selling Pat was her best option.
“I loved this horse more than life but the guilt and fear were eating me alive. I remember sitting in my car with tears rolling down my cheeks, it was raining, I just looked through the window at his face in the barn and he whickered to me. It was probably for food but I doubted myself for making the call and arrangements that were taking shape. I got home and I will never forget it as long as I live, that question Daddy Carrot put to me as I explained what I had done. Very calmly, my soon to be Husband looked me in the eyes and said, “Will you regret this for the rest of your life?” –It was instant, the answer was undoubtedly “yes”. He followed it with; “Imagine how you will feel watching someone out having fun with him, smiling and loving him and winning just like you should be, just like you did before.” That was it. That was my motivation. Right there. In that moment, I was NOT going to let someone else love MY horse, I loved him, no-one else.” – Victoria Brant – Diary of a Wimpy Eventer
So do yourself a favour and grab a copy of Diary of a Wimpy Eventer: How to get your leg over. You can subscribe to Vic’s blog at https://wimpyeventer.com/ to have her stories sent directly to your inbox.
