Planning Ahead

Last night on my hour-long drive home from riding my gelding I was mentally going over everything I need to accomplish between now and March 13th when we head out for our first show. I have tack that needs serious deep show cleaning, a camper that I will have to get de-winterized and ready for use (plus licensed and reinsured for the season), show clothes that need to be altered to fit better (I’ve lost a bit of weight!), and I need to start ordering some common show supplies like hoof polish, body shine, etc. The list is big. 

Then it dawned on me that I need to create a list with target deadline dates so I can make sure I get these things done in a timely fashion. What kinds of things do you do to better organize yourself for going to shows or clinics, a day on the trails, a week of camping, etc?

You can post your ideas here under our comments section or email me directly at Karyn@nwhorsesource.com.   I would love to put together a resource to share with all of you so we all can ensure we’re as prepared as possible, with minimal effort, for those things we enjoy doing.

In the meantime, put on some extra clothing layers to ward of the chill and get out and ride!

Setting the Bar

Every January we hear a lot in advertising about "this year I resolve to…." One interesting trend I’ve been noticing is that this year instead of saying "resolve to stick to goals you set for yourself," people are saying “resolve to not resolve.” In other words, they’re giving themselves—and us—permission to set the bar low and not follow through with our goals.

While setting realistic goals is important, if we set the bar low, how do we ever learn to push ourselves beyond the level of mediocre?

This year I have three resolutions for 2009:

#1: Qualify for and compete in Western Pleasure for two regional Arabian breed shows with my young Arabian gelding.

#2: Improve my reining riding skills enough to be able to successfully compete in breed and open organization events, such as NWRA.

#3: Lose 20 lbs to help my riding.

I am working hard at all three goals and am hoping to debut my gelding in Junior Horse Western Pleasure at the Windy Tides Schooling Show series this coming March as a warm-up.

While goal #1 is a rather large goal, it will keep me working hard instead of coasting. Goals #2 and #3 are more reasonable for me but still enough to force me to work, and if I put it in print it helps hold me accountable.

So let’s not be afraid to resolve to reach the high bar this year!

What are some of your equine-related goals? Start that 4-year-old? Learn a new discipline? Take a more challenging trail? Spend three days a week in the saddle instead of three days a month? Comment below and let us know!

In the meantime, get out and ride!