I've definitely got a lot of room for improvement in most aspects of my life- here's a list to hold myself accountable.
Horse Goals in 2016:
Reach goal: School 1.10 m jumpers comfortably
Show 1.0 m jumpers comfortably
STOP SLOUCHING
Personal Goals in 2016:
Reach goal: crush the mini-mester matching or a better GPA than my first year GPA
Get an internship
Get in shape
Stick to or stay under my budget
Blog Goals in 2016:
Reach goal: blog 2x a week
Blog consistently
Reach out to the equestrian blogging community more
There aren't many; the next year is going to be tumultuous with clinics, internship applications, and my final 1.5 months of lectures. I had to make them vague to make them something I can do without going insane, but hopefully I can achieve them this year!
While I may have been underprepared the first day, I came ready to jump the second! Again, focus was on collection, finding a good canter, and steering. Once again, we struggled with steering, but found our canter, and re-learned collection! Lexie got a bit tired and flat towards the end, and I really struggled with the skinny jumps throughout the entire day.
First round of fences.
Four minutes of a hot mess over skinny jumps, and cute Lexie over bigger fences.
Overall though, I saw a major improvement in my ride. I definitely "clicked" with Lexie, and felt incredibly comfortable over the 2'9, 3'0 jumps at the end of the day. So while I wasn't perfect (and was far from it), I felt more confident and capable riding Lexie than I before the clinic. Even as a hunter-jumper, I felt like the exercises were helpful and beneficial across all English jumping disciplines. Doug was so patient, kind, and professional; even though I spent 99% of the clinic screwing up one way or another, he made me feel very comfortable asking questions. If you ever get a chance to ride with Doug Payne- I highly recommend it.
Day 1 of the Doug Payne clinic got off to a... less than ideal... start. I managed to successfully leave boots, spurs, and gloves at home, but luckily A brought them to me.
Walked over to the ring, and what I had thought was strictly a dressage day had become a "flatwork over poles and small fences" according to the barn's Facebook page that I neglected to look at. Whoops- maybe an e-mail would have been nice so I didn't show up with freight train mare in a loose ring snaffle? But regardless of these bumps, my weenie self was determined to make the best out of the clinic, and I am so happy I went!
We started with a great exercise that involved a large circle (roughly 20 m over the center of the poles), and a small circle (roughly 10 m over the center of the poles). Enjoy my lovely attempt at Paint to show you:
Black poles= 20 m circle, red poles= 10 m circle
Goals were collection and accuracy. I definitely struggled with both those goals; I'm not sure if it was the bit, or the fact that my shoulder has gotten substantially worse, but I really struggled to collect and steer due to my fitness, Lexie's fitness, and I'm sure the "gentle" bit didn't help matters.
We started at a trot aiming for the center of the poles, spiraling in to the middle, and back out to repeat at a canter but as the videos show.... it was easier said than done. In fact, Lexie was feelin' herself so much, that I expressed a little anxiety to Doug about jumping her in a snaffle. So Doug RODE HER, and like any mare, she threw a little sass his way as well.
I figured you all might like the good and the bad, rather than editing for the good. Sorry for the chatter from the peanut gallery- what can ya do?
Pre-Doug:
Doug:
Post-Doug:
Huge difference! She was so good, and I am so proud of ourselves for making it around a small course in a snaffle. Especially in the last video- you can see where I'm not as in shape as I'd like, and I've just started physical therapy for my shoulder. Still so proud, regardless!
Life seems to be on the upswing. Finals are coming to a close (1 surgery, 1 final to go), there is a light at the end of the tunnel- clinics in 3 months!, and my horse life has been on the upswing.
It's no secret this semester took the wind out of me; I'm struggling academically (won't know the results until the 9th), in my relationship, and in the riding ring. Unfortunately, it's been a small disaster in every aspect of my life, and one of the reasons I've been so lackluster about blogging lately. I don't handle stress well, and it's gotten the best of me this semester.
However, I am so excited to announce that starting January 1st- I will be leasing a new horse! Obviously- it will come as no surprise, I'll be leasing my lesson horse, Lexie. She's a 14 year old, 16.1 Westphalian cross. Lucky for me, she literally fits into every single piece of tack I own. I'm so excited to be back in the saddle on a regular basis.
I'm also so excited to attend a Doug Payne clinic this weekend. I've signed up for the BN/N category; I'm a little worried Novice is a little ambitious, but I'm still excited for a good learning experience.
Lastly- I'm hoping to increase my blogging output; I've got a couple reviews planned (thank you Black Friday), going to try to do lesson recaps regularly, and a few other miscellaneous things I want to write about.
I'm hoping this upward trend continues- I really need a little sunshine in my life.
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