2015 - Our First Full Season of Eventing

Oh I miss this... And this picture also makes me happy I bought a saddle with a more forward flap!

Instead of going out and murdering a certain clairvoyant rodent for making winter last FOREVER, I'm putting the finishing touches on a (very) loose competition schedule for 2015. It will be Dino's and my first full season as newly-converted eventers, and I'm pumped to get in as many fun outings as we can!

As usual, this schedule will probably change WILDLY as time goes on. Horses are unpredictable, as is the weather, and I do have other commitments that will inevitably crop up and replace horse shows. Money might not be available, especially since this year I'll also be balancing competitions with a lesson once or twice a month. We just have to roll with it.

I'm also strongly considering joining the Bucks County Horse Park this year as a full member, as well as trying for a year-end award through that organization. It's around a $200 membership fee, but that gets me unlimited use of the Park (XC course, trails, 4 arenas) as well as reduced entry fees. BCHP is literally 10 minutes from the barn where I keep Dino, and last year I found myself there a lot. It's an awesome facility and I'd like to support it and help keep it running.

At the same time, it's a goal of mine to get out of my BCHP comfort zone as well this year and attend some events that are further away. I've gotten to be pretty confident riding at Bucks, and while I do want to start my season there, I also know that by limiting myself to one venue I'm missing out on a lot of great experiences.

While I hoped to start competing and getting out earlier this year than last (our first show was the first weekend in May), the weather hasn't been cooperating to that end. Right now I'm going to try and shoot for the end of April and see if Mother Nature will allow it.

So, without further ado, the Very Tentative and Apt To Be Altered and Reduced In Size 2015 Competition Schedule!

April 26 - BCHP Hunter Pace
May 3 - Burgundy Hollow Horse Trial (very tentative)
May 17 - BCHP Horse Trial
May 24 - Burgundy Hollow Horse Trial
-OR-
May 25 - BCHP Hunter Pace
June 7 - Flora Lea Starter Trial -OR- Plantation Starter Trial
June 27 - Fair Hill Horse Trial
July 12 - BCHP Horse Trial
-OR-
July 19 - Burgundy Hollow Horse Trial
August 9 - BCHP Horse Trial
September 12 - Fair Hill Horse Trial
September 27 - Burgundy Hollow Horse Trial
October 11 - BCHP Horse Trial

In order to qualify for a year-end award in the BCHP eventing program, I need to attend at least 4 HT's. I've got 4 on my calendar now, and they also offer Friday Evening Eventing schooling HT's just about every week in the spring and summer that could also count towards that. The only thing is that I plan on moving up from Elementary to BN at some point this year, and I need to stay in the same division for at least 3 events for points to count towards an award. So that's something to think about.

Here's to hoping we thaw out soon and I can get started actually riding!