One of my main goals for this year, that is both horses related and not, is to get a new job. I've wanted to live in a city for a long, long time and moving to the nearby metro area would mean that I will be much closer to the barn plus I should be able to increase my salary which would mean more ability to show and even small possibility that I could afford a horse trailer!
The reason that I've been quiet is that I've been interviewing both over the phone and in person. I've also been spending time each evening applying for positions which take away a good part of my evenings and it feels like when I'm not doing that I'm riding :-)
Chiro last Friday went really, really well. Katai was a little sweetheart and behaved really well even though I was sort of waiting for her to be a little brat. She only really needed to be adjusted in two or three places and even better, the chiro said her back felt AMAZING! She said she felt strong but soft and she complemented me on how I've been working her. I was really happy because I'm really conscious that not everyone rides smaller horses and want to make sure that my choice isn't negatively effecting my pony. This tells me that at least for now it is not.
I've only had one ride since then and she was good but slightly naughty, probably since she hadn't been ridden in a few days. Then I meant to ride tonight but for some reason it started snowing heavily so I wrote it off since it's a long drive :-(
So, now onto how our goals are going!
In Process Goals for Katai:
1. Increase fitness/strength/flexibility
- get chiropractic done at least three times in 2015 – Scheduling one for April 3rd
- get at least three massages in 2015
- start serious fitness training as soon as it's not slippery out to include canter sets
- cross train - add cavaletti by February and small jumps by the end of summer
- add more structured lunging - at least 3-4 times per month
2. Show Pony
- practice with show environments by trailering off property at least five times this year
- show in three dressage schooling shows with at least one at training level
- ride in one two clinics - can be any discipline
- perfect standing tied to the trailer
3. Dressage Skillz
- nicer canter transitions (no more ear pinning and less choppy trotting) by the end of March
- better bend at all gaits to the left
- more understanding of whip cues - not or ignore - by the middle of the year
- understand all three intro tests by the end of April
- begin trying or hoof at training level tests by the end of May
4. Miscellaneous
- stay still for mounting – This has actually gone downhill
- gain trail riding experience both by ourselves and with others - get outside and ride trails at least 3-4 times per month
In Process Goals for Me:
1. Increase fitness/strength/flexibility
- find a good yoga class and go at least twice per month
- get regular massages to help with physical things
- run in at least one 5K by the end of April (providing I can find one and the weather isn't too horrible), one 10K by the end of June, and Ragnar (total of about 13 miles) again in the late summer
- lose 15 - 20 more pounds
2. Riding Goals
- learn to weight each seat bone as needed - default to even (I sit much more on the right)
- take regular lessons - at least once per month
- learn to keep my lower leg back on a regular basis
- practice a more proper arm position
- regain jumping skills :-)
- gain miles in the saddle
- ride different horses
3. Show Human
- put together at least one set of show clothes (schooling show appropriate)
- determine which schooling shows to attend and get signed up
- memorize intro tests by the end of May
- find transportation to shows
4. Miscellaneous
- get a new job and move to a metro location (more on this in a future post)
- save up and purchase a saddle that fits both of us better – Picked one out!!
- Order the saddle by the end of June
- take more and better pictures and videos
- read and review a horse book every month – February Success!
- do a better job of journaling my riding in my blog
- make good turnout a habit (pretend I'm getting ready to ride for George Morris everyday lol)
I'm going to follow up on goals at the end of every month and be ready to adjust at that point, either add more or take some away.
Completed Goals
- continue with clipper desensitization
- perfect trailer loading – On this last barn move she hopped right in despite the wind blowing and the trailer being completely different than she's ever ridden in so I'm pretty confident in her trailering skills.
- get used to riding around other horses and busy warm up areas – Still get a little nervous when a horse goes past quickly but really does pretty well.
- listen to outside leg cues – 90% there in February
- get a halt that regularly lasts at least 20 seconds by the end of February
- find someone to take regular lessons with by the end of February
- renew my subscription to Dressage Today and read every article –Subscribed but haven't received any yet
- update the name of this blog (I promise it will be the last time)
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