I've been slacking on the blogging. Although this blog really started out as a way for me to deal with some difficult feelings and health issues when I was diagnosed with RA and a lump on my thyroid it blended into more of a riding/horse focused blog over the past 5-6 years (OMG has it really been that long?!?). So if anyone out there is still reading.. what do you guys want to read? I'm not getting much riding time lately, and my showing this summer is going to be limited... Do you guys want stories of my past as a head groom/trainer before RA got in the way? More about my everyday life? Help me keep writing!
So heres a recap and relfection on the goals from last year (you can find that post here)
1) Ride different horses. Even if its just the kids horses, more saddle time on different horses will make me more confidant.
Again not so much of a win here... I rode Chilly and Oscar most of the spring/summer and I did get to ride Lucy a couple of times. I guess I also got to ride 2 different lesson horses this fall so I guess it wasn't too bad.
2) Try to continue to ride at least twice a week.
Done! At least until the fall, when the move to the city took over my life
3) To have more "wow look what we just did" moments weather at home or at shows.
Done! I was so proud of Chilly and I this summer. From an unbroken 3yo to kicking but in the show pen 6 months later is a huge accomplishment for anyone, let alone someone with health issues. Chilly was one in a million though, and she is very happy with her new owners.
4) To have some serious plans to be out of my parents house and be closer to work by this time next year. Its going to mean moving away from the barn but part of the plan is going to be finding a way to ride.
Done! I now have a 6 minute drive to work, it is so great you have no idea. The lack of riding time sucks but hopefully in the new year I'll figure something out.
5) To show this summer. Doesn't matter what horse or where but I want to show. I'd really love it to be with Chilly. (And maybe Lucy at the exhibition lol)
Done! Took Chilly to 5 shows this summer and had so much fun with her.
6) To make myself go out and interact with people who might not necessarily be horse related.
Done! I'm even dating... who would have thought?
7) To try to get out to a clinic or two this year and ride in them!
Done! I got to two clinics with an old trainer friend and I took 2 lessons, one with my old trainer that I hadn't ridden with in a while and one new trainer.
I'm going to set some more reachable goals for next year, and might even update later this spring when I have a better hold on what I have time/money for and what I don't.
1) To get out of my box more and interact with new people. Join club or fundraising group, something.
2) To get into some kind of lesson program to get riding on a semi-regular basis again.
3) To get to a show and show in a couple of classes
4) To continue with this walk/run thing when my feet are good enough and the weather cooperates.
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Goals for 2014
Ok and here comes the annual tradition of setting goals for the new year! So goals from last year can be found here. For a breakdown, here is what I wanted to focus on for this year -
1) Ride different horses. Even if its just the kids horses, more saddle time on different horses will make me more confidant.
Kind of done, I rode Oscar and Lucy this year and Chilly most recently, and I did get one ride in on Hottie but this is a goal that I am going to try again on this year.
2) Try to continue to ride Oscar at least twice a week.
Done! I ride Oscar twice a week on the minimum, and got to riding 4-5 times this summer. Hopefully once the weather gets a bit better we can get back to that, or at least riding Chilly and Oscar both on the nights that I do get to the barn.
3) Take more pictures of the horses and try to get someone to take photos of me on the horses.
Done! Thanks to some friends with cameras I actually got some good pictures this summer (including the one at the top of the page)
4) Try to get to 2 horse shows this summer and show!
Done! I got to 4 shows this summer and rode at all of them! And even showed for 3 days in a row at our last show.
5) To loose 20 pounds before show season. (May)
Done! Total loss was about 40lbs in total for the year. (some gained some lost this fall) I hope to lose even more but its a very good start.
6) To have more "wow look what we just did" moments weather at home or at shows.
Done! Being top two in a tough showmanship class at our first show, winning our first jacket, NAILING a tough trail pattern, and best of all riding Lucy with no bridle (or halter) our last ride together this fall.
7) To keep on top of my finances, If I want to seriously start looking for a new horse in 2014 I need to have a decent size budget to do that with. Most of Lucas' money went to fixing my car, and paying off loans not so much saving for a new horse.
Yeah, as much as I want a new horse I NEED to move out of my parents place. Student loans will be done next year.. and besides, with the time off work and out of the saddle that my ankle replacement will need, money / time will be tight.
So goals for 2014!!
I am going to reuse some of my goals from last year to continue on this year ...(is that cheating? I really like them?!?)
1) Ride different horses. Even if its just the kids horses, more saddle time on different horses will make me more confidant.
2) Try to continue to ride at least twice a week.
3) To have more "wow look what we just did" moments weather at home or at shows.
4) To have some serious plans to be out of my parents house and be closer to work by this time next year. Its going to mean moving away from the barn but part of the plan is going to be finding a way to ride.
5) To show this summer. Doesn't matter what horse or where but I want to show. I'd really love it to be with Chilly. (And maybe Lucy at the exhibition lol)
6) To make myself go out and interact with people who might not necessarily be horse related.
7) To try to get out to a clinic or two this year and ride in them!
1) Ride different horses. Even if its just the kids horses, more saddle time on different horses will make me more confidant.
Kind of done, I rode Oscar and Lucy this year and Chilly most recently, and I did get one ride in on Hottie but this is a goal that I am going to try again on this year.
2) Try to continue to ride Oscar at least twice a week.
Done! I ride Oscar twice a week on the minimum, and got to riding 4-5 times this summer. Hopefully once the weather gets a bit better we can get back to that, or at least riding Chilly and Oscar both on the nights that I do get to the barn.
3) Take more pictures of the horses and try to get someone to take photos of me on the horses.
Done! Thanks to some friends with cameras I actually got some good pictures this summer (including the one at the top of the page)
4) Try to get to 2 horse shows this summer and show!
Done! I got to 4 shows this summer and rode at all of them! And even showed for 3 days in a row at our last show.
5) To loose 20 pounds before show season. (May)
Done! Total loss was about 40lbs in total for the year. (some gained some lost this fall) I hope to lose even more but its a very good start.
6) To have more "wow look what we just did" moments weather at home or at shows.
Done! Being top two in a tough showmanship class at our first show, winning our first jacket, NAILING a tough trail pattern, and best of all riding Lucy with no bridle (or halter) our last ride together this fall.
7) To keep on top of my finances, If I want to seriously start looking for a new horse in 2014 I need to have a decent size budget to do that with. Most of Lucas' money went to fixing my car, and paying off loans not so much saving for a new horse.
Yeah, as much as I want a new horse I NEED to move out of my parents place. Student loans will be done next year.. and besides, with the time off work and out of the saddle that my ankle replacement will need, money / time will be tight.
So goals for 2014!!
I am going to reuse some of my goals from last year to continue on this year ...(is that cheating? I really like them?!?)
1) Ride different horses. Even if its just the kids horses, more saddle time on different horses will make me more confidant.
2) Try to continue to ride at least twice a week.
3) To have more "wow look what we just did" moments weather at home or at shows.
4) To have some serious plans to be out of my parents house and be closer to work by this time next year. Its going to mean moving away from the barn but part of the plan is going to be finding a way to ride.
5) To show this summer. Doesn't matter what horse or where but I want to show. I'd really love it to be with Chilly. (And maybe Lucy at the exhibition lol)
6) To make myself go out and interact with people who might not necessarily be horse related.
7) To try to get out to a clinic or two this year and ride in them!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Goals for 2013
I know that setting goals should be a positive time, looking foreword to the future, and for us horse people, show season! However last year at this time I was in a much different situation than I am now. I had just brought Lucas home from my old bosses training barn where he was to be sold, thinking that we could give "us" another chance. Even reading though the old posts, its hard to see where it went wrong, it just wasn't right for either of us.
His new owner loves and appreciates him. And in the end that's what matters now. I'm happy riding Oscar, hes given me confidence back, and let me realize that the issues I was having with Lucas were not all my fault, and that I can actually ride reasonably well!
So onto the goals for 2012 to see how I did!
1) To loose the weight that has been holding back my riding. Now that my joints are better, becoming a fitter rider will only help my balance and skill on a horse.
Well that didn't go so well although I have made a good start on it this year.
2) To stop listening to the voice in my head telling me that I'm not good enough, that Lucas is going to spook, that I'm going to fall off... any and all of it must stop!
Yeah so not such a good goal with Lucas but I haven't heard that voice in my head for about 2 months now. Its kind of funny, that's not something I think about on a regular basis anymore but I thought about it all of the time when I was riding Lucas.
3) To give up my crutch of a bit, the twisted wire. I'm a good enough rider, and Lucas is broke enough that we really don't need it.
Again something that I don't even use now that I'm not riding Lucas.
4) To ride in a pattern class at every show (as long as it doesn't require dropping your irons, and if the English one does than I have to show horsemanship)
Yeah only got to one show and only did showmanship at it.
5) To trust in Lucas so that he can trust in me. I can do it at a show, its time to do it at home.
Again only got to one show and only did showmanship
6) To do a trail class with Lucas (with me in the saddle) although I will be ok if we do not complete every obstacle.
See above. (4 & 5)
7) To apply for my AQHA Amateur card. Its been more than 5 years since I last accepted money to show/train a horse or judge a show. I need to accept that an Amateur is what I am now and it is ok to compete at that level!
Done and sent in, should have my Amateur card in my hand in the next couple of weeks,
So onward and foreword for 2013!
1) Ride different horses. Even if its just the kids horses, more saddle time on different horses will make me more confidant.
2) Try to continue to ride Oscar at least twice a week.
3) Take more pictures of the horses and try to get someone to take photos of me on the horses.
4) Try to get to 2 horse shows this summer and show!
5) To loose 20 pounds before show season. (May)
6) To have more "wow look what we just did" moments weather at home or at shows
7) To keep on top of my finances, If I want to seriously start looking for a new horse in 2014 I need to have a decent size budget to do that with. Most of Lucas' money went to fixing my car, and paying off loans not so much saving for a new horse.
His new owner loves and appreciates him. And in the end that's what matters now. I'm happy riding Oscar, hes given me confidence back, and let me realize that the issues I was having with Lucas were not all my fault, and that I can actually ride reasonably well!
So onto the goals for 2012 to see how I did!
1) To loose the weight that has been holding back my riding. Now that my joints are better, becoming a fitter rider will only help my balance and skill on a horse.
Well that didn't go so well although I have made a good start on it this year.
2) To stop listening to the voice in my head telling me that I'm not good enough, that Lucas is going to spook, that I'm going to fall off... any and all of it must stop!
Yeah so not such a good goal with Lucas but I haven't heard that voice in my head for about 2 months now. Its kind of funny, that's not something I think about on a regular basis anymore but I thought about it all of the time when I was riding Lucas.
3) To give up my crutch of a bit, the twisted wire. I'm a good enough rider, and Lucas is broke enough that we really don't need it.
Again something that I don't even use now that I'm not riding Lucas.
4) To ride in a pattern class at every show (as long as it doesn't require dropping your irons, and if the English one does than I have to show horsemanship)
Yeah only got to one show and only did showmanship at it.
5) To trust in Lucas so that he can trust in me. I can do it at a show, its time to do it at home.
Again only got to one show and only did showmanship
6) To do a trail class with Lucas (with me in the saddle) although I will be ok if we do not complete every obstacle.
See above. (4 & 5)
7) To apply for my AQHA Amateur card. Its been more than 5 years since I last accepted money to show/train a horse or judge a show. I need to accept that an Amateur is what I am now and it is ok to compete at that level!
Done and sent in, should have my Amateur card in my hand in the next couple of weeks,
So onward and foreword for 2013!
1) Ride different horses. Even if its just the kids horses, more saddle time on different horses will make me more confidant.
2) Try to continue to ride Oscar at least twice a week.
3) Take more pictures of the horses and try to get someone to take photos of me on the horses.
4) Try to get to 2 horse shows this summer and show!
5) To loose 20 pounds before show season. (May)
6) To have more "wow look what we just did" moments weather at home or at shows
7) To keep on top of my finances, If I want to seriously start looking for a new horse in 2014 I need to have a decent size budget to do that with. Most of Lucas' money went to fixing my car, and paying off loans not so much saving for a new horse.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Goals for 2012
A lot has happened in 2011. Some of it good, some of it bad. Its been a year full of self discovery, worry and hope all wrapped up into one year. So looking back on 2011:
Goals for 2011:
1) If we get to shows this summer I want to enter the ring as confident and as happy as I entered the show ring at the last show! None of this worrying about what everyone is thinking about, no one else's opinions matter EXCEPT the judge!
I'm not sure how well I did on this one! The first couple of shows I did ok (except for almost worrying myself sick at the first one and even that turned out ok) I kind of fell apart a bit in the middle and ended up having a great final show except for the fact that I cried my eyes out at the thought that it may be my last show with Lucas.
2) To win a showmanship class at an open show. Lucas is broke enough and talented enough, its just me holding him back! There is lots of local competition so it should be tough enough to keep me working all year.
We did this! In fact we managed to only get second twice, both times to very competent show women (that took lessons from me at one point or another!). If I could get the same commitment to my riding that I give to showmanship we would be unbeatable.
3) Hope that the RA stops progressing and that the new drugs continue to improve my symptoms.
So far so good. I haven't felt this good in years.
4) Go for a ride 'outside' of the ring this summer. Maybe just a walk on the lawn with the kids, but we both (me and Lucas that is) need to get more comfortable without fences all around us.
I did do this at a show, there were no warm up arenas so we warmed up without a fence. Not really the same thing but with some confidence issues this summer that was all that we did.
5) To put Lucas back into a 'normal' snaffle at some point this year. No twisted wires, no curbs, no ports. This will be a challenge but its time for us to try it, if we ever want to try dressage it is the one thing that we NEED to do.
Fail. But something that I am working on this week. See below for the follow up goal!
6) Either teach Lucas to ground drive, or refresh his memory. Its possible that he was ground driven before, but I think that's something that were going to start working on soon.
Done, but something that we will continue to work on this winter when it is too cold to ride. It was good for both of us to work on something outside of our comfort zone.
Considering that I gave up on goals sometime back in August we didn't do too badly. I had a very good ride on Lucas today, a confidence building ride for sure. I rode him in a bit very similar to the bit I show him in and managed to stay out of his mouth. It's different and good all at the same time. I mostly worked on keeping us both busy and not so much on what either one of us was doing.
So goals for 2012
1) To loose the weight that has been holding back my riding. Now that my joints are better, becoming a fitter rider will only help my balance and skill on a horse.
2) To stop listening to the voice in my head telling me that I'm not good enough, that Lucas is going to spook, that I'm going to fall off... any and all of it must stop!
3) To give up my crutch of a bit, the twisted wire. I'm a good enough rider, and Lucas is broke enough that we really don't need it.
4) To ride in a pattern class at every show (as long as it doesn't require dropping your irons, and if the English one does than I have to show horsemanship)
5) To trust in Lucas so that he can trust in me. I can do it at a show, its time to do it at home.
6) To do a trail class with Lucas (with me in the saddle) although I will be ok if we do not complete every obstacle.
7) To apply for my AQHA Amateur card. Its been more than 5 years since I last accepted money to show/train a horse or judge a show. I need to accept that an Amateur is what I am now and it is ok to compete at that level!
And as you can tell, the plan is for 2012 to include Lucas. My friend and I have been talking a bunch since he's come home and what my ambitions used to be, before I got sick. If you had given me Lucas 7 years ago I would have been over the moon. He was what I wanted, an English horse to show HUS, showmanship and halter with.
Goals for 2011:
1) If we get to shows this summer I want to enter the ring as confident and as happy as I entered the show ring at the last show! None of this worrying about what everyone is thinking about, no one else's opinions matter EXCEPT the judge!
I'm not sure how well I did on this one! The first couple of shows I did ok (except for almost worrying myself sick at the first one and even that turned out ok) I kind of fell apart a bit in the middle and ended up having a great final show except for the fact that I cried my eyes out at the thought that it may be my last show with Lucas.
2) To win a showmanship class at an open show. Lucas is broke enough and talented enough, its just me holding him back! There is lots of local competition so it should be tough enough to keep me working all year.
We did this! In fact we managed to only get second twice, both times to very competent show women (that took lessons from me at one point or another!). If I could get the same commitment to my riding that I give to showmanship we would be unbeatable.
3) Hope that the RA stops progressing and that the new drugs continue to improve my symptoms.
So far so good. I haven't felt this good in years.
4) Go for a ride 'outside' of the ring this summer. Maybe just a walk on the lawn with the kids, but we both (me and Lucas that is) need to get more comfortable without fences all around us.
I did do this at a show, there were no warm up arenas so we warmed up without a fence. Not really the same thing but with some confidence issues this summer that was all that we did.
5) To put Lucas back into a 'normal' snaffle at some point this year. No twisted wires, no curbs, no ports. This will be a challenge but its time for us to try it, if we ever want to try dressage it is the one thing that we NEED to do.
Fail. But something that I am working on this week. See below for the follow up goal!
6) Either teach Lucas to ground drive, or refresh his memory. Its possible that he was ground driven before, but I think that's something that were going to start working on soon.
Done, but something that we will continue to work on this winter when it is too cold to ride. It was good for both of us to work on something outside of our comfort zone.
Considering that I gave up on goals sometime back in August we didn't do too badly. I had a very good ride on Lucas today, a confidence building ride for sure. I rode him in a bit very similar to the bit I show him in and managed to stay out of his mouth. It's different and good all at the same time. I mostly worked on keeping us both busy and not so much on what either one of us was doing.
So goals for 2012
1) To loose the weight that has been holding back my riding. Now that my joints are better, becoming a fitter rider will only help my balance and skill on a horse.
2) To stop listening to the voice in my head telling me that I'm not good enough, that Lucas is going to spook, that I'm going to fall off... any and all of it must stop!
3) To give up my crutch of a bit, the twisted wire. I'm a good enough rider, and Lucas is broke enough that we really don't need it.
4) To ride in a pattern class at every show (as long as it doesn't require dropping your irons, and if the English one does than I have to show horsemanship)
5) To trust in Lucas so that he can trust in me. I can do it at a show, its time to do it at home.
6) To do a trail class with Lucas (with me in the saddle) although I will be ok if we do not complete every obstacle.
7) To apply for my AQHA Amateur card. Its been more than 5 years since I last accepted money to show/train a horse or judge a show. I need to accept that an Amateur is what I am now and it is ok to compete at that level!
And as you can tell, the plan is for 2012 to include Lucas. My friend and I have been talking a bunch since he's come home and what my ambitions used to be, before I got sick. If you had given me Lucas 7 years ago I would have been over the moon. He was what I wanted, an English horse to show HUS, showmanship and halter with.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Goals for 2011
So and I quote goals for 2010,
"And for next year;
1) To a great show season with Lucas :) I hope I can continue to ride for a few more years but when that time comes, he should be able to learn how to drive so that we can show in harness.
2) To good friends, and fun at all the shows.
3) I hope that my job continues to go well, and that I might get a raise soon ;)
4) to good National lists for the Apps :)
umm yeah so thats it! All I can say is that I hope the new decade turns out alot better health wise for me than the last one. And now Im off to the barn, to ride the year out in style :) "
Well we did have a great show season, the first show was a bit of a write off but we both improved as the summer went on. I love showing with my friends on the AQHA circuit. Some of my best friends I have met though quarter horses, and friends that have stuck though me thick, thin, and sickness and health.
The job is ok. The better I feel the more I want to just go clean stalls and work horses. Its high stress and low paying.
We did end up on the national list for the Apps, reserve in the open 2yo mares, and earning her open and amature superiors in Halter (and about 10 points away from her youth one as well) She got hurt in June, and was sound by the end of the summer but the owners have brought her gradually back into work and hope to show her under saddle for the summer.
Goals for 2011:
1) If we get to shows this summer I want to enter the ring as confident and as happy as I entered the show ring at the last show! None of this worrying about what everyone is thinking about, no one else's opinions matter EXCEPT the judge!
2) To win a showmanship class at an open show. Lucas is broke enough and talented enough, its just me holding him back! There is lots of local competition so it should be tough enough to keep me working all year.
3) Hope that the RA stopes progressing and that the new drugs continue to improve my symptoms.
4) Go for a ride 'outside' of the ring this summer. Maybe just a walk on the lawn with the kids, but we both (me and Lucas that is) need to get more comfortable without fences all around us.
5) To put Lucas back into a 'normal' snaffle at some point this year. No twisted wires, no curbs, no ports. This will be a chalange but its time for us to try it, if we ever want to try dressage it is the one thing that we NEED to do.
6) Either teach Lucas to ground drive, or refersh his memory. Its possible that he was ground driven before, but I think thats somthing that were going to start working on soon.
So this should do for now, I may amend this at some point but we'll see how the year progresses!
"And for next year;
1) To a great show season with Lucas :) I hope I can continue to ride for a few more years but when that time comes, he should be able to learn how to drive so that we can show in harness.
2) To good friends, and fun at all the shows.
3) I hope that my job continues to go well, and that I might get a raise soon ;)
4) to good National lists for the Apps :)
umm yeah so thats it! All I can say is that I hope the new decade turns out alot better health wise for me than the last one. And now Im off to the barn, to ride the year out in style :) "
Well we did have a great show season, the first show was a bit of a write off but we both improved as the summer went on. I love showing with my friends on the AQHA circuit. Some of my best friends I have met though quarter horses, and friends that have stuck though me thick, thin, and sickness and health.
The job is ok. The better I feel the more I want to just go clean stalls and work horses. Its high stress and low paying.
We did end up on the national list for the Apps, reserve in the open 2yo mares, and earning her open and amature superiors in Halter (and about 10 points away from her youth one as well) She got hurt in June, and was sound by the end of the summer but the owners have brought her gradually back into work and hope to show her under saddle for the summer.
Goals for 2011:
1) If we get to shows this summer I want to enter the ring as confident and as happy as I entered the show ring at the last show! None of this worrying about what everyone is thinking about, no one else's opinions matter EXCEPT the judge!
2) To win a showmanship class at an open show. Lucas is broke enough and talented enough, its just me holding him back! There is lots of local competition so it should be tough enough to keep me working all year.
3) Hope that the RA stopes progressing and that the new drugs continue to improve my symptoms.
4) Go for a ride 'outside' of the ring this summer. Maybe just a walk on the lawn with the kids, but we both (me and Lucas that is) need to get more comfortable without fences all around us.
5) To put Lucas back into a 'normal' snaffle at some point this year. No twisted wires, no curbs, no ports. This will be a chalange but its time for us to try it, if we ever want to try dressage it is the one thing that we NEED to do.
6) Either teach Lucas to ground drive, or refersh his memory. Its possible that he was ground driven before, but I think thats somthing that were going to start working on soon.
So this should do for now, I may amend this at some point but we'll see how the year progresses!
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