Hey All,
Sorry, I have been MIA for the last 3 months. It’s been so busy with my big girl job and trying to balance home life and the horses. Not much has changed, just keeping with the status quo. Bacardi and I did have our six-year anniversary in November. Where did those last 6 years go? We also did decide to send Ruffi to a trainer this upcoming February; but other than that, just a lot of flat work for Bacardi and me and a lot of in-hand work for Miss Ruffian. Once there are new goings on, I will be sure to update here.
However, this is the time of year I like to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the goals for the next year. So first let’s take a look at our goals for 2024 (and man, where did 2024 go?).
- WE WILL START OUR FIRST THREE DAY THIS YEAR! Really. We will. I will be very sad if this goal doesn’t happen this year. – Well this did NOT happen. And actually, I am not that sad about it. In fact, there were NO competitive entries this year for us.
- More flat work. – YES! I HIT A GOAL! I feel like my and Bacardi’s connection has gotten better. It’s not perfect, but man I know there is an improvement!
- More jumping. I don’t think we did enough this year and I really would like to stop being a coward and jump a little bit bigger and be a bit more confident for my horse over fences. – Again, this didn’t really happen, but I have also decided at this time we are going to pursue a pure dressage track for Bacardi and myself at this time. I have realized that he is now (almost) 15 years old and I don’t have the confidence to take him cross-country and frankly, he isn’t bold enough for it.
- Start riding Ruffi. Right now the plan is to have her under saddle 2x a week and maybe full training in Feb/March. However, come spring time I would like to be consistently riding her 3 times a week. Get her on track for a dressage debut in the sandbox the following spring or even maybe late this fall. – Well, unfortunately- due to the fractured coffin bones and the move in May for Miss Ruffian, this did not come to fruition. I did get on her a handful of times, but nothing beyond that. We will see how she is after 30 days of training in Feb 2025
- Also, I want to post here more. I try but sometimes there are lulls or I don’t have inspiration to write. Ideally, I would like to post every other week, but a minimum of once a month. – This also DID NOT HAPPEN. Not including this post, you all got 10 blog posts from me in total in 2024. I will endeavor to do better this upcoming year.
Alright, now that I am done kicking myself for not attaining hardly any of my goals for 2024, let’s set some for 2025.
- At least 3 competitive entries for Bacardi in 2025. With the return of the newly branded PNW Thoroughbred Classic (previously, Ride for the Roses) in 2025, I should get at least one in, but I would like to potentially do some schooling shows up at Whidbey, or tag along with some friends to a show or two. Get him out and experience more.
- Have better training plans for my rides when I go out. I am currently without a trainer for myself, so I need to be better about having an actual plan and goal when I go out to ride.
- Ride more consistently. The second half of this year has been tough for being consistently at the barn. I am still trying to learn how to balance my commute and my commitments at the barn. I would like to at least ride 3 times weekly.
- I would REALLY like to get back over my fear of Ruffi AGAIN. I thought I had laid it to rest before she was originally sold, but it seems to have come back with a vengeance. I am hoping that after she goes out the the trainer, I can take a few lessons at the training barn on her and when she returns home, put her in the riding rotation. I am not as optimistic on this one but I want to put it out there in the universe.
So what about y’all, did you meet your goals for 2024? What are your goals for 2025? Here’s to another great year with our ponies!
Happy New Year!
A+B+P+R