2013 Goals!!

It was a little sad to write my 2012 review post and realize that I hadn't stuck to any goals that I could check in with. In fairness, I switched horses, relearned how to ride, and dealt with some intense XC anxiety, but that doesn't make for a tidy list at year's end. If you've known me for very long, you know that I like lists.

Regardless, it's time to set some 2013 goals. Obviously, because I am a person and Cuna is a horse, they are completely dependent on both of us remaining happy, healthy, and sound.

We've already answered some novice questions. 

1) Run novice either at a trial or local event derby. I want solid dressage, double clean XC, and a stadium round to be proud of. The show schedule isn't out yet, but I'm thinking May or June for this.  I want to do it early in the year.

This was good. We're even better now.

Maybe this is silly, but I don't want to be one of those people who only ever did BN. I want to go out there and have a blast.



2) Training 3 and First 1 at a schooling dressage show. An actual show with a judge and ribbons. It's not that I plan on winning, but I want to showcase just how far Cuna and I have come together and I think we're up to the challenge.

This is akin to my eventing goal--I don't want to only ever do training level. Dressage doesn't interest myself or the red man enough to want to go much higher, but 1st is reachable.




3) Showjumping, here we come! I want to go to one/some jumper shows and ease my way up to being solid in the .95 meter jumpers (3'1").

Ideally, we'll make it to the jumper shows in Hailey, ID (a couple hours north, unrecognized) and maybe one of the Bend, OR shows (6 hrs west, rated). All of this is money permitting--need to get the cash flow issues sorted out.

4) Weather/conditions permitting, hack out at least once a week. This was never a challenge at our old barn (hello beautiful hills), but the new location isn't as conducive to it. We need to be out and moving. This is less of an issue when I'm not freezing to death than it is right now.

Here's what this means: I want to run novice on Cuna. I think we will have an amazing time and I honestly believe we have a shot at winning another eventing ribbon. That said, Cuna starts to demand accuracy out of his rider in that height range. In order to be that accurate, I need to spend lots of time doing schooling that I can't afford and don't have access to. We need to have two sets of tack. We need to constantly kill ourselves to be the best at three disciplines.

So good.

The honest truth is that while I think eventing is a super cool sport and the pinnacle of training for horse and rider, I'm not in a place in my life where I can be a viable competitor. Instead of beating myself up about that, Cuna and I are moving into the jumper ring. :) He likes jumping, I like jumping, life is good.

I am super excited for 2013! Wish they'd release the show schedule already... I need to get dates penciled in before people start trying to steal all the weekends with those weird "social events" that don't have any Cunas at them.