Tuesday, January 3, 2017

What I hope will happen in 2017

Goals with horses are a tough thing. They get hurt, they don't stick to timelines... sometimes they progress by leaps and bounds and sometimes they plateau for months. Those things are really out of my control, so that makes it hard to set goals. Plus there's me... sometimes I get new concepts quickly and sometimes it takes me forever to retrain my body to do it right. Combine those things and it makes me wary of setting goals.

Having said that, I'm kind of a goal oriented person. If I have shows on the calendar, I'll be damn sure to get in all the lessons and ride 5-6 days a week and have A Plan. But at the same time, I don't want to expect too much, you know? So this year I'm breaking my goals down.

Absolute must:
  1. Keep Taran sound, healthy, and happy!
Hopefully Pretty Doable:
  1. Qualify for Regionals at first level again (need 1 more score)
  2. Qualify for Regionals with a first level freestyle (need a freestyle)
  3. Get my bronze medal scores at second 
Stretch:
  1. Qualify for Regionals at 2nd level (2-3 looks impossible right now, ack!)
  2. Qualify for Nationals with the first level freestyle (last year I think 4 of the 5 first level freestyle riders in Region 9 scored over a 68%, so maybe there's hope?)
Oh but hell, while I'm at it...

Really crazy:
  1. Figure out how to do flying changes
  2. Ride a 3rd level test 
NopeNopeNope:
  1. Get bronze scores at 3rd level

Oh and if you're wondering about how I did with last year's goals? My one big goal was to memorize my damn tests. I only went off course once in 2016, so I'll consider that a success!

26 comments:

  1. I really like your way of approaching goals -- hopefully you're able to have a productive 2017 and cross a few of those off your list!

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  2. I think you're going to cruise right through those goals this year!

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    1. I think some of them are pretty doable, and others I am downright cray for even writing down.

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  3. Did you use the Equisketch app? I am using it for studying the new test I have to learn. I find it very useful for visualizing the shape of the test in the arena.

    Good luck!!

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    1. I visualize riding the test a lot, and then actually ride sections of it for practice. Helped me a lot!

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  4. I think you're "Hopefully Pretty Doable" is very doable! And you'll have 2-3 down in no time, just don't be afraid of it! :)

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    1. EEEEEK, 2-3 is terrifying, are you kidding me?

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  5. ha i love the 'nopenopenope' goals!!!

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    1. It was either that or "smokin' crack" goals and that seemed less PC.

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  6. Big goals but you're equipped to chase them. Good luck!

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  7. I love the way you broke your goals down!

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  8. Ha, yeah you win on the goals presentation.

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    Replies
    1. Woohooo! Shoulda made that my first goal of the year.

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  9. I feel like my whole list right now is a mix of "really crazy" and "nopenopenope" goals :)

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    Replies
    1. I think we're all a little cray doing this horse thing!

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  10. Hahaha, I like the NopeNopeNope goal LOL!

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  11. I'm so excited for your show season!

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    1. Me too except that the first one is in like 6 weeks COMMENCE PANIC!

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  12. I love this approach to goal setting! I think I'm going to do this too!

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  13. Replies
    1. Paddy's goal is to lose 5 pounds while eating all the treats. :D

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