2024 aims and how goals?

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millitiger

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I've now finished work for Christmas (hurrah!) and have my 2024 wall planner and diary out for some goal planning- what do you all want to achieve next year?
We all know plans and horses don't mix, however I do really want to put some more focus and structure around my training and competing next year.

Goal wise-
SJ confidently at 105cm
Improved lateral flexion
Ride with quieter aids
Flying changes!

I have competition aims too but I want to concentrate on my list above and then the competitions should look after themselves 🤞
I do need to plan my competitions a bit better though, rather than ad-hoc. My wall planner is already helping with that.

So to achieve my goals I need to-
Have regular, structured training
Use books and YouTube for exercises at home
Set time aside for my own fitness

My 2yros will also be 3yros in 2024 so more handling and a bit of desensitisation through the year, ready for 2025!
 
I found it helped to make goals but not put time on them, that way when life throws the inevitable curve balls your way, it's easier to adapt.

Improving the lope with the next step to flying changes is on my to-do list.
Also, work on building Amber's confidence out hacking, including upping the speed.

That would all then help with the competitions.

First step, find the latest lost shoe! :) I have given in and ordered a metal detector.
 
I do understand that horses laugh (a lot!) at plans.
However, I find without some structure I can easily spend a whole year training and competing in an ad-hoc manner and not actually improving in a tangible way.
 
I’d just like to keep everyone alive, happy and healthy. That hasn’t happened for a few years now, with some pretty significant injuries and tragedies. 2024 must be my year?!!
If we can make it to some events that would be wonderful…… Nova has been due to move up to BE100 for 2 years now but has only actually managed to do 3 events in his whole life. If all actually goes to plan then we’ll aim to finish the season with a novice run or 2…. 🤔🤪
 
2023 was the first time in what feels like forever I did achieve some of what I set out to do - but we've still got 11 days to go and a lot can happen in 11 days with horses 🙄

No lofty ambitions but I wanted my 5yo cob out and about seeing the world. A bit of dressage, some clinics and I was hoping for a few fun rides but loads were cancelled because too wet / too dry. We did all of that and it's fair to say after our first intro test where we showed the judge all kinds of airs above ground we are now vaguely sane

So provided all 4 legs keep working then I want to sort our canter next year and crack on with prelim. Master hacking in company without boiling over is the other objective. So low level, just need to keep the vets away!
 
TheMule said:
I’d just like to keep everyone alive, happy and healthy. That hasn’t happened for a few years now, with some pretty significant injuries and tragedies. 2024 must be my year?!!
If we can make it to some events that would be wonderful…… Nova has been due to move up to BE100 for 2 years now but has only actually managed to do 3 events in his whole life. If all actually goes to plan then we’ll aim to finish the season with a novice run or 2…. 🤔🤪
Click to expand...
Gone and done it now…..
 
Sprout:
qual 6yo champs and thus complete the trio of 4/5/6yo qualifications
get out at medium
maybe an adv med end of year

training wise get the single changes nailed and start of 3/4's
start half steps

Raf:
keep all legs attached
do some local showing to get in the swing of it
HOYS qual in second half of year

both will be breeding in 2024 too
 
In terms of plans etc, I'm now on a yard where I can share transport to clinics etc, which is exciting. No firm goals, but I plan to continue to have lessons with my great new instructor, who has really helped us in just a few months. Alongside that, if we can manage to get out and about to a few clinics and fun rides, that would be amazing.

In theory, I could wobble around an unaffiliated dressage test or low key unaff showjumping in 2024, which would be amazing. They're very low key goals, but really didn't feel possible before!

LEC said:
I would like the You Tube to grow bigger and make some money to pay for vets bills! It will envitably be a bag of carrots… but small acorns….
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I think I've seen some videos you've shared on here, but if you share the channel name, I will go and subscribe!
 
I only returned to riding seriously this year and bought my first coblet in June so we’re still in a happy bubble getting to know each other. I’ve started regular riding lessons so plans are to carry on with one every 2-3 weeks, keep gaining confidence hacking and hopefully do a few fun rides with my daughter and the girls on the yard. Nothing major but enjoying hearing everyone else’s
 
I'm set back by the Long Covid thing but also determined not to let that stop me! If I can't physically ride I'll keep doing my exercises that will help with riding/generally being able to function, and if I can't do those I'll be watching horsey things online (@LEC I think I am subscribed to your channel so will definitely keep an eye out for new videos!) or reading.

Obviously 'get own horse' goes on the list like it does every year because who knows maybe this will be my year 🤷‍♀️😏 Maybe a share if I can find the right one. This year started with a promising looking share which unravelled my confidence fairly quickly. I learned a lot but not really what I'd hoped to learn!

- Have more group lessons - I don't love them but you miss out on the social side of riding, plus it fits with waaay longer term goals (i.e., if I can't deal with a small group lesson then I won't stand much chance in warm ups)
- Do more dressage (Intro and at least one Prelim) - probably means yet another RS change but I found one that does unaff. comps monthly; it is so frustrating trying to find an RS with good quality instruction, doesn't keep changing instructors without notice, and has enough going on for adults without their own horse.
- Keep up the dressage writing
- Stop avoiding jumping - it's fun!
- Set foot (mounted) on a XC course - I don't care if it's literally just to potter around and maybe wander up/down small steps, have a paddle in the water (I'm thinking tiny tots stuff, BE is safe from me for now)
- Side saddle lesson (recommendations for places in the South West welcome!)
- Hacking lesson/private hack in Cirencester Park
- Confidence course (Karl Greenwood or Freddie Steele)
 
I am writing very tentatively as I have definitely had someone looking on me favourably for a few years, all my horses have had a pretty smooth run of things.

So if I have 4 healthy happy horses at the end of next year then that is the main thing.

If I want to push my good luck run then it would be great for the following:

Rising 8yo to consolidate well at Int/3*, becoming even more consistent in his sj and hopefully a bit more relaxed in his dressage.
Rising 5yo who is out on loan to continue building a good partnership with her talented young jockey and having a nice experience at BE90.
Rising 5yo Millie who is a year behind due to maternity leave to be restarted in spring and then friend & I bring her on with the aim of a couple of BE100's towards end of season.
Baby Coco to continue to be awesome!
 
TheMule said:
I’d just like to keep everyone alive, happy and healthy. That hasn’t happened for a few years now, with some pretty significant injuries and tragedies. 2024 must be my year?!!
If we can make it to some events that would be wonderful…… Nova has been due to move up to BE100 for 2 years now but has only actually managed to do 3 events in his whole life. If all actually goes to plan then we’ll aim to finish the season with a novice run or 2…. 🤔🤪
Click to expand...

It's so going to be Nova's year this coming season
 
A repeat of this season would do nicely! Ie: Qualify for Amateur SJ Champs at Aintree and Regional Finals BE again. I’d like to do a BE100 after getting eliminated in the SJ this year. And finally get a decent dressage score at an ODE.

A bit like LEC, I’d like to build the equestrian business more: That pays for the horses, while my main job pays for everything else. So the more that makes, the more adventures I can afford!

For Mylo to stop growing so fast!!!
 
Get better at riding! I need to work on my balance and keeping my feet from moving in the stirrups (did a bit of that today). I need to get my jumping confidence up, but that can be a bit difficult on RS horses. I want to do a Horse Archery course (and a ground archery course to sort the archery side of it out). I'd also like to do some more mounted combat training.

I'm also contemplating looking for a share.

@SaddlePsych'D Is Warwick too far for you? The Knights of Middle England do side saddle lessons and have a 2 day clinic running 22nd-23rd April if you are interested.
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
I'm set back by the Long Covid thing but also determined not to let that stop me! If I can't physically ride I'll keep doing my exercises that will help with riding/generally being able to function, and if I can't do those I'll be watching horsey things online (@LEC I think I am subscribed to your channel so will definitely keep an eye out for new videos!) or reading.

Obviously 'get own horse' goes on the list like it does every year because who knows maybe this will be my year 🤷‍♀️😏 Maybe a share if I can find the right one. This year started with a promising looking share which unravelled my confidence fairly quickly. I learned a lot but not really what I'd hoped to learn!

- Have more group lessons - I don't love them but you miss out on the social side of riding, plus it fits with waaay longer term goals (i.e., if I can't deal with a small group lesson then I won't stand much chance in warm ups)
- Do more dressage (Intro and at least one Prelim) - probably means yet another RS change but I found one that does unaff. comps monthly; it is so frustrating trying to find an RS with good quality instruction, doesn't keep changing instructors without notice, and has enough going on for adults without their own horse.
- Keep up the dressage writing
- Stop avoiding jumping - it's fun!
- Set foot (mounted) on a XC course - I don't care if it's literally just to potter around and maybe wander up/down small steps, have a paddle in the water (I'm thinking tiny tots stuff, BE is safe from me for now)
- Side saddle lesson (recommendations for places in the South West welcome!)
- Hacking lesson/private hack in Cirencester Park
- Confidence course (Karl Greenwood or Freddie Steele)
Click to expand...

Talland for the side saddle lesson? I think that’s one of the most well recognised places for side saddle still. Maybe you could couple that with a visit to Cirencester Park?
 
Kunoichi73 said:
Get better at riding! I need to work on my balance and keeping my feet from moving in the stirrups (did a bit of that today). I need to get my jumping confidence up, but that can be a bit difficult on RS horses. I want to do a Horse Archery course (and a ground archery course to sort the archery side of it out). I'd also like to do some more mounted combat training.

I'm also contemplating looking for a share.

@SaddlePsych'D Is Warwick too far for you? The Knights of Middle England do side saddle lessons and have a 2 day clinic running 22nd-23rd April if you are interested.
Click to expand...
Warwick actually isn't as far away as I thought it was. I was on their website earlier but didn't spot the clinic so I will check that out, thank you! :)
 
Maddie Moo said:
I was hoping to be working towards my Stage 2 riding but looking at the cost of lessons now my original RS has closed, I doubt that will be happening! ☹️
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Anywhere slightly more further afield that isn't as expensive? (though appreciate trade off between that and fuel costs).

I hope to get back on a horse - July 22 was the last time I rode, but in similar vein to @Maddie Moo with zero weekend private lessons to book, and group lessons at over £80 which frankly aren't worth it, not sure what my options are 😕
 
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I to am worried about making plans for 2024! Mainly just a happy sound hors 😊

My main goals would be:
  • Improve our straightness and halts
  • Constant scores at prelim dressage, maybe enter a novice
  • Complete a ODE
  • Improve my confidence show jumping
 
teapot said:
Anywhere slightly more further afield that isn't as expensive? (though appreciate trade off between that and fuel costs).

I hope to get back on a horse - July 22 was the last time I rode, but in similar vein to @Maddie Moo with zero weekend private lessons being released for Jan - Apl 24, I'm not sure what my options are (I could email and ask but I know what they're like at and over £100 a pop too...) The groups are £80+ and they're not worth the 100 mile plus round trip frankly :confused:
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There are a couple of potential options, one I’m not keen on just based on the photos etc they have posted on their SM with incorrectly fitting tack but I may look closer into the other one.

I guess I’ll just go for my Stage 2 care and lunge next year, the riding especially the jumping section, will take time to get there confidence wise. I need to find a centre that offers some training so I can be signed off for some of the care section on loading etc.
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
Warwick actually isn't as far away as I thought it was. I was on their website earlier but didn't spot the clinic so I will check that out, thank you! :)
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Sign up for their newsletter. The side saddle clinic is listed on the calendar page but not on the website yet. It would be worth emailing them if you are interested as the clinics can fill up quite quickly.
 
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