Better Late Than Never: 2017 Goal Review

An unintended, delightful consequence of chasing my goals: year end awards! 

Man, you guys. This whole full-time-job-at-which-I-can't-blog-during-the-day and also house-which-I-must-paint is really challenging my post output! Even though I haven't been writing much here, Dino and I are still plugging along on our dark winter rides and trying to haul out for a lesson, indoor school, or trail ride on the weekends. It's definitely not ideal, but as with most things in life, I'm bound and determined to make the best of it.

At a recent lesson, my trainer asked me what my goals were for this season, and at the time, I honestly didn't know. I've harnessed a few brain cells to start considering it since then, and decided to start with a review of the goals I set for us last year:

1. Foxhunt at least 4 times. Sadly this goal was a fail even though I joined the hunt as a groom this year. Dino got injured with a nasty laceration at the end of October, and we only got to go roading once and hunt twice this season. Bummer. 

2. Trail ride off-property once a month. This, again, was not such a success. While I was sure to make time for hacks at home to keep Dino's mind fresh and did ride out with friends a bit, we didn't get out to the parks as much as I wanted! 

3. Jump a BN stadium course again (or equivalent jumper course) at a show with no jump penalties. I'd call this one a win! During my failed return to BN at Burgundy Hollow, we absolutely nailed the stadium course. 

4. School max-height BN XC fences again. A partial victory here. While we did have one XC lesson this season during which we schooled several BN elements, and managed to get over a few of them at Burgundy, jumping the house at the horse park nearly gave me a coronary and I was nowhere near confident enough to tackle many of the 'bigger' fences without peeing my britches. 

5. Score under 30 in eventing dressage or 68% or higher in straight dressage. HELL TO THE YES. CRUSHED IT. 

6. Keep Dino happy, healthy, and looking half his age. Check! Homeboy was fit as a fiddle and happy in his work this year!

7. Compete in a hunter derby or hunter trials - on the flat AND over fences. That's a no.

8. Ride bareback and bridleless (neck rope only) around our entire property, w/t/c. I definitely am able to do this bareback, but bridleless riding was a major failure as soon as Dino discovered that I have absolutely no control without at least a halter on his head. Ah, well. 

And what about the reach goals??

1. Compete in First Level dressage Nope... but maybe this year?

2. Complete a BN Event Derby Nooooope! 

3. School Novice XC & Stadium Fences We DID school some 3' stadium fences this year, so I'd call this a partial victory! Novice-size XC fences still make me want to cry.

4. Complete a BN HT With No Jump Penalties I made a solid effort, but alas, XC was once more a hot mess express. 

2017 was an awesome year of comebacks for us, and while some of the goals I set went un-acheived, I'm more than satisfied with what we did accomplish this past year! Stay tuned for 2018's goals!