2025 Goals and Plans (and 2024 Review)

SaddlePsych'D

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Inspired by the riding journal I received for Christmas (via Riding with Rhi vlogger's Etsy) - I like that it's for people who don't own the horses they ride.
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Link to 2024 thread: https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/2024-aims-and-how-goals.834568/

How did it go this this year? Any hopes/dreams/goals/plans for next year?

Long Covid really did hold me up but at the most difficult points it didn't feel possible to ride at all (or even walk the dog, cook for myself, or go to work) so I'd say it's gone well all things considered! There's been a lot of tears along the way but overall I think my mindset has improved and steadily my confidence with it.

Mine were
- Get own horse (obvs.) - still a no on this one. C'moooon 2025 😂
- Have more group lessons - I think I happened to have a private lesson in the school at the same time as someone else once but that's about it. Tbf the RS I'm at is private/semi-private lessons only.
- Do more dressage (Intro and at least one Prelim) - lol. I have not made it into canter this year. I did do an Intro test via e-riders though
- Keep up the dressage writing - yep I did Oxstalls, Barbury, Little Gatcombe, some unaff., and BD Area Festival
- Stop avoiding jumping - no but didn't technically avoid it as haven't got that far!
- Set foot (mounted) on a XC course - also no
- Side saddle lesson (recommendations for places in the South West welcome!) - yes! I did the side saddle photoshoot experience at Knights of Middle England with the lovely Toby Supercob
- Hacking lesson/private hack in Cirencester Park - I did a couple of walk/trot hacks at the beginning of the year, tried to go again in May but had horrific stomach bug on the day then turned out I wasn't booked in anyway, not sure why I didn't book in again
- Confidence course (Karl Greenwood or Freddie Steele) - no. KG gave weird vibes around the CDJ thing and I'm not sure about FS. Also ££££

I'm still pondering the 2025 goals.
 
I'm not really one for goals because horses rarely go to plan, but apparently I said this last year….

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So, everyone has survived 2024 but I do currently have 1 in horspital costing me a small fortune and Nova did manage a pretty significant injury in the Spring plus a little bout of lameness that restricted our eventing season. We did make it to a couple of BE100s but we're still a long way off going Novice. He has now done 6 events in his whole life, so this is progress!

2025 would be considered a success if they all survive AND manage to not cost me a small fortune at the vets. If Nova can break his own record and get to 4 events that would be amazing, and I'm holding out a tiny slither of hope that we may get a GR regionals qualification and then actually go Novice. And he has started winning a bit of money BS so it would be nice if that could carry on. We'll see…..
 
My goal for 2024 was to get back riding Nova. Which did happen… briefly. Just what happened afterwards was never part of the plan.

My main 2025 goal is to have fun on Shadow. But beyond that:

I want to start eventing him. In an ideal world, we’d end the season with our first BE80 but he’s never evented and I haven’t since 2022 so no expectations at all. With this is also the dressage and jumping to go along with it.

I want to have bi-monthly lessons with Simon Grieve. He’s just up the road from my yard and his teaching style seems right up my street.

I plan on taking Shadow to the beach and potentially to some autumn hunting.

But obviously, just having fun with my pony and my friends is my main priority for 2025.
 
I'm not really one for goals because horses rarely go to plan, but apparently I said this last year….

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So, everyone has survived 2024 but I do currently have 1 in horspital costing me a small fortune and Nova did manage a pretty significant injury in the Spring plus a little bout of lameness that restricted our eventing season. We did make it to a couple of BE100s but we're still a long way off going Novice. He has now done 6 events in his whole life, so this is progress!

2025 would be considered a success if they all survive AND manage to not cost me a small fortune at the vets. If Nova can break his own record and get to 4 events that would be amazing, and I'm holding out a tiny slither of hope that we may get a GR regionals qualification and then actually go Novice. And he has started winning a bit of money BS so it would be nice if that could carry on. We'll see…..
Sorry to hear you have one in horspital. I will keep everything crossed for a positive outcome. Also for you to be able to get some more runs in this year. Hopefully the new BE calendar will help with that?

Holding the plan lightly seems to be a good idea - I can see that having horses means being flexible about our aspirations!

My goal for 2024 was to get back riding Nova. Which did happen… briefly. Just what happened afterwards was never part of the plan.

My main 2025 goal is to have fun on Shadow. But beyond that:

I want to start eventing him. In an ideal world, we’d end the season with our first BE80 but he’s never evented and I haven’t since 2022 so no expectations at all. With this is also the dressage and jumping to go along with it.

I want to have bi-monthly lessons with Simon Grieve. He’s just up the road from my yard and his teaching style seems right up my street.

I plan on taking Shadow to the beach and potentially to some autumn hunting.

But obviously, just having fun with my pony and my friends is my main priority for 2025.
I think you did the hardest yet one of the most important things an owner can do for their horse this year.

I enjoy watching Simon in various vlogs he pops up on, he seems like someone who could help you with your goal to enjoy your pony. I certainly hope you can achieve some horsey joy next year after all you have been through.
 
I was thinking about this earlier today - interesting to read what I wrote a year ago.

Highs
He's won both a reserve & champion at Intro level with e-riders
Finally can take him out in company without a rodeo
Behaved so well at South Ox sponsored ride I thought he was ill!
Had a go at mini eventing and found he loved x-country

Lows
Injured in early Jan after an unexpected visit from the hunt had them charging round. Our right canter vanished even after the vet's all clear. Only recently back so prelim plans shelved.
Bucked me off twice in the summer hugely denting my confidence.

2025 plans
Still hoping to keep the vets away
Ride positively and keep his neck out to avoid explosions
He's feeling a lot stronger so hopefully more jumping
Canter a 20m circle on the right rein!

The microcob would like to go to some fun rides. Every one I booked her on in 2024 was rained off 🙄 Might do a bit more in hand showing with her given she won me my first ever sash this year.
 
2024 did not go according to plan. Had Tris going right at the start of the year, he then had a freak accident. Thankfully no lasting injuries but he had lacerated his arm pits very badly and they took a little while to heal.

Arya was put down in June and multiple incidents we had before that really affected my confidence and motivation, so Tris has only been for walks in hand or lunged for most of the year. We did manage a few hacks and have very recently started schooling again.

I have no desire to compete in 2025 - not sure whether I want to compete again at all. I really want to get our hacking confidence sorted as have found a fab 6 mile 'around the block' route and I have found a route to reach the offroad hacking that we had access to at our last yard. For that we need to cross the railway though, so it might be a bit of a challenge.

My goals are to go on adventures, to have fun and really start enjoying riding again.
 
The main thing is for the old boy to finish next year feeling and looking as good as he’s feeling right now. Otherwise, starting up scentwork with him again and potentially doing an in-hand e-dressage test is on the agenda.

Riding resolutions are:
- Trying a new discipline, which I’m thinking might be falconry on horseback or going bloodhounding
- Going out for a hack somewhere new, preferably somewhere where you can go for a good gallop
- Doing an intensive flatwork camp because I’ve been talking about it for years now and still got not round to it
- Get at least semi-regular physio and dramatically improve my fitness. I can tolerate being lame and wonky on the ground, but my gammy legs are starting to affect my riding and that’s not acceptable.

Non-riding resolution is to figure out where I’ll find the money to make the above possible!
 
Mine was:
“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….”

YouTube actually has done ok and actually pretty much paid for 40% of our Paris Olympics Tickets and it has funded 50% of our our Chris Burton and Jonelle Price Lessons. So overall better than a bag of carrots.

Now if it could double/triple in size for 2025 that would be amazing.
 
I don't know how we will top 2024. The goal was to give affiliated dressage a go and we smashed it. The highlight was going to Home Nations in September.

This year we will step up to novice, though do nationals at prelim as we've already qualified.

I want to give showing a go in 2025, including a county show just for fun and experience. Though we've a couple of sarcoids to get rid off first.

I'd like to do some 60cm jumping

Maybe even give side saddle a go

I've been given use of a field at my house so want to make it horse safe and also clear and area for stables.

That would be a pretty awesome year!
 
So 2024 hasn’t quite gone to plan!! But I’ve had a good run of things so on law of averages I was due a duff year. Plus I’ve been quite ill, so at least I haven’t been forced to miss much, silver linings and all that?!

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

….. Hmmmm, well they are all alive

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.


Weather at the beginning of the season caused his early runs to be abandoned so his 3* was pushed back and then his jockey got ill so his season ended in June!! So no consolidation for him, a lot of getting fat in the field! But the 3 event he did, he did well and clocked 2 intermediate DCs. He is also super happy and well and thinks the sun shines out of his derrier, so that’s what counts.

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.

Disaster! Written off with kissing spine.

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.

Going great guns, then had an awful accident. I’ve cleared off my vets mortgage, but at least she is not dead which was looking a real possibility at the beginning. The good news is her rehab went super, she is back under saddle and looking like she stand a chance of eventing next season 🤞🤞

Baby Coco to continue to be awesome!

Baby Coco rocks ❤️

2025 I’m hoping to be well enough to watch the 2 older ones out and about, being sound and happy, whilst getting lots of daily Coco therapy!
 
2024 just never quite went to plan for me, although it was far from a disaster, but it would be great to have a bit of a smoother and more to plan 2025. Super horse isn't getting any younger so the most important thing for me is that he stays happy and healthy.

Well done to all on some great achievements and sorry to all those who have had a challenging or difficult year, I hope 2025 is kinder.
 
Apparently I didn't write any 2024 goals...

Anyway, I think I didn't do too badly:
Little Madam is in foal to a rather classy pony stallion who has been placing at 1m20 to 1m30 this year. I can't wait for the foal to arrive and hope all goes well. Foaling box is now constructed, it just needs boarding off to make sure no dogs or chickens get in. I am also seriously looking forward to getting Little Madam back in work (this will be very late 2025, if not 2026). It's silly, but I've missed her, even if I see her every day, I want to go back to exploring and having fun with her.
Old Lady has recovered well for her weight loss last spring (was due to tooth loss) and is still looking good at rising 28. She has been told she has aunt duties for at least the next three years, so she needs to make it to 31.
Enormosaurus was an unexpected bonus. Though it wasn't all plain sailing, looking back, the progress has been brilliant. In a little over a year she has gone from not accepting contact or legs at all to hacking out on her own and in company and competing show jumping at outside venues at 85cm. There are still ups and downs, but when she's good, she's brilliant. If the stars align, I would like to take her to the championships at 85 cm this year and get her out at 95cm. She has the scope, but we still need to work on obedience and reactivity to my aids. I would rather she stopped taking strides out of doubles. We also need to work on her dressage, not to compete, but just to get better obedience. She is not a fan of doing things in a precise spot and shows her displeasure quite strongly. For example, she knows how to and will happily halt most places, but not at E on the left rein.
2024 also marked my non-bucket list item of my first trip to A&E related to a horse riding accident. Luckily nothing wrong, just a bit bashed up even though the timing was rubbish right before my holidays.
 
Well we started the year with Bo contracting a virus. Just as he recovered, I fell down 2 separate flights of stairs in 10 days, knackering my coccyx and busting my right foot (which is still not 100%).

By the time I'd (mostly) recovered, I decided that we'd just hack for the rest of the year, though we did box out for some more interesting scenery occasionally.

Then we had ongoing saddle issues.

We now have a lovely new saddle, and I have my happy buzzy pony back.

I've rejoined our RC even though we didn't do a single thing with them in 2024.

For 2025, I just want us to both have fun, to do things we enjoy, and pass on the things we don't.

I really do need to get him going jumping, though again this is just for our fun, we won't compete.
 
I was looking at this the other day!

So my goals were-
SJ confidently at 105cm- tick but then we haven't actually done a single event this year.
Improved lateral flexion- it is coming in layers! Every time i think we're 'there' I get a glimpse of a better feel which becomes the new aim. I guess that is riding.
Ride with quieter aids- definitely still a WIP but I do think better than it was.
Flying changes!- hurrah!!! Yes we can sort of do a messy change each way on command and sometimes quite a nice one.

Our year was thrown into a state of flux when his foot balance was so poor with crappy farriers that he is now barefoot. Still a long way to go to get rock crunching on all surfaces but at least he is reliably sound every day now

This year, aims are-
Polish flying changes
Start canter pirouettes
Do more fun rides
Maybe do some Trec or Working Equitation

On top of that, I will have my 2 x 4yros to get under saddle!
And I have more non-horsey plans than ever - with a close family bereavement this year, I am determined to experience and enjoy life as much as possible!
 
It looks like I didn't make 2024 goals either Titchy Reindeer!

We've had an pretty good year. September onwards was pretty (ok, actually very) rubbish but putting that behind us & focusing on bringing back into work and getting fit & strong for the Spring.

Placed reasonably well in our Trec winter league. Had lots of fun & did well in Summer Trec.

Had some of our best and most consistent scores in the dressage competitions in the admittedly few tests we did - I think we did 3 tests this year and all were plus 69% with a 75% in one, which surprised everyone 🤣

But most importantly, he still loves cantering around the countryside with more oomph than many a horse ten years younger than he actually is without any metabolic flare ups, which I'll take over anything else ❤ Most of my happiest memories of '24 are of long sunny picnic or pub rises, letting him just blast along on our hacks and watching his ears prick and the countryside blur past before he concedes he should walk and bounces his way along until the next blast or early morning pre-work hacks watching the sun come up before the rest of the world wakes up. Best memories of the year ❤

Loose 2025 goals are

• Try to take part in late winter arena Trec (fitness levels allowing)
• Re-start monthly lessons
• Take part in Summer Trec
• Find the motivation to partake in more dressage
• Last but most importantly, just keep having fun in the countryside together
 
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I've had probably the worst and best year in terms of riding!

I sold my ex racer to get something I could BS with. They didn't like him so I bought him back 6 weeks later (which was a massive relief). Tried to crack on with training but quickly realised he was very broken and retired him.

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I bought a Connie from Ireland to back and sell within 6 months - he's still here 8 months later and I've not done more than sit on him through my own lack of motivation and his being so undeveloped. Companion count, 2!

Screenshot 2024-12-30 at 11.10.45.png

Then I bought Rocky who is the love of my life!

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Plans for 2025:

Get competitive at 90s with Rocky.

Back and probably sell Miles.

I'd also like to lose another 5-10lbs to be as light as possible for the boys as they're both small and fine.
 
I wrote:

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!!! Kx

Well, not a lot of that happened!! My main Business tanked in January so eventing wasn’t affordable. I switched focus to SJ and Lottie started the year absolutely flying. We got 4 DCs at BN early in the year, qualifying for second rounds. I stepped up to Discovery in prep for 2nd rounds and was pleasantly surprised at how manageable that felt. But she started refusing again in Spring. I slowly brought her back into work after vet identified back/neck inflammation but with a very low threshold for retiring her. Then re-started our attempt to get to Aintree. Got 4 of the 5 DCs needed but ran out of events! But in the end it made no difference because then she refused at fence one at a 2025 qualifier at Southview and I retired her. So sad about that. She’s the best horse (for me) I’ve ever had. Amber had more talent but I couldn’t ride her as well. Lottie was pretty easy to ride, if a little over enthusiastic at times. She gave me a great feel and I trusted her utterly.

Then Myka landed in my life just before Christmas! I already adore her and am excited about what the future holds for us.

Mylo is a total Sweetheart too .

The Equestrian business has expanded and I’m hoping it carries on growing.

Plans for 2025:

Get Myka going under saddle. I have no plans to compete her as a 4 yo so any competitive ambitions will have to wait till 2026.

Mylo is only rising 2 so he won’t be backed till 2026.

I want to sell Felix unbacked in Spring 2025, but if he fails to sell I’ll back him first then try again.
 
I wrote:

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!!! Kx

Well, not a lot of that happened!! My main Business tanked in January so eventing wasn’t affordable. I switched focus to SJ and Lottie started the year absolutely flying. We got 4 DCs at BN early in the year, qualifying for second rounds. I stepped up to Discovery in prep for 2nd rounds and was pleasantly surprised at how manageable that felt. But she started refusing again in Spring. I slowly brought her back into work after vet identified back/neck inflammation but with a very low threshold for retiring her. Then re-started our attempt to get to Aintree. Got 4 of the 5 DCs needed but ran out of events! But in the end it made no difference because then she refused at fence one at a 2025 qualifier at Southview and I retired her. So sad about that. She’s the best horse (for me) I’ve ever had. Amber had more talent but I couldn’t ride her as well. Lottie was pretty easy to ride, if a little over enthusiastic at times. She gave me a great feel and I trusted her utterly.

Then Myka landed in my life just before Christmas! I already adore her and am excited about what the future holds for us.

Mylo is a total Sweetheart too .

The Equestrian business has expanded and I’m hoping it carries on growing.

Plans for 2025:

Get Myka going under saddle. I have no plans to compete her as a 4 yo so any competitive ambitions will have to wait till 2026.

Mylo is only rising 2 so he won’t be backed till 2026.

I want to sell Felix unbacked in Spring 2025, but if he fails to sell I’ll back him first then try again.
Always do a walk and trot with a 4yo. It’s one of my most favourite outings as zero expectations but wonderful experience for them. I usually ask to go first so I can have a quiet time. Then you get done and are wonderfully happy for surviving and hopefully the horse had a great zero pressure experience. Mine never do anything else but the walk and trot is the big milestone. Their first competition, first time you all look proper smart and a tonne of photos to purchase.
 
I didn't necessarily expect to lose my soulmate Boggle this year, or maybe I did I don't know. But despite the heartache and generally awfulness of the last 14 months I am super excited for my young horse who I will hopefully back in the spring all being well. I'm looking forward to riding Beau for the winter in Arizona and I'm keeping a quiet eye out for another 2/3 year old, maybe an arab x or something similar or even something in the UK if I see something that grabs me.

Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens (so long as it isn't something tragic!)
 
This thread has kicked me into action. Miles had tack on and some in hand work over poles and I've booked a jump lesson and then a trip to Keysoe jumping with Rocky for Jan/early Feb.
Aw yay I'm glad it gave you a little boost to get some things going :)



My number one goal, is the one I now set at the start of every lesson or ride; to enjoy my time with horses and for them to have a nice time too (if I don't say it, I definitely notice the difference!)

Get own horse has been on the list since I was about 8, so obvs. that's going back on

I won a £50 voucher for Knights of Middle England so I will aim to use that in the Spring, probably side saddle again or I might get adventurous and try something else

I would really like to canter out on a hack and ideally in Cirencester Park

I would like to do more Intro tests and maybe Prelim (which also means getting canter back on the menu!)

I will keep up with the dressage writing as it's mostly been good experience (there was one not so good but I don't think I will let that put me off as it's a good way to learn and get out to different events)



To help get me started, I've block booked weekly lessons for January. When/if the weather gets a bit more settled I will get a walk/trot hack booked in too. And I'm making a plan for my between lesson physio, yoga, and mindfulness practices. I might not be able to ride as often as I would like to, but there's plenty I can do to make the most of when I do ride.
 
Last year's goals:

1. Get better at riding! I need to work on my balance and keeping my feet from moving in the stirrups.

2. I need to get my jumping confidence up, but that can be a bit difficult on RS horses.

3. I want to do a Horse Archery course (and a ground archery course to sort the archery side of it out).

4. I'd also like to do some more mounted combat training.

5. I'm also contemplating looking for a share

Did achieve improvements in 1 and 2.

Did a few horse archery courses. Didn't do a ground archery course because noone round here teaches thumb draw. Did get a new bow and started practicing at home

Didn't do any mounted combat or get a share.

2024 finished badly due to being bucked off and fracturing my collar bone.

2025 Aims

1. Get fractured collar bone rehabbed and get back on a horse.

2. Do more horse archery and ground archery practice.

3. Do a confidence course.

4. Do at least one mounted combat course.

5. Do some mechanical horse sessions.

6. Work on balance and 2 point seat to help with the archery.

Will probably think of other things as the year progresses.
 
My 2024 aims were


1) The baby Spanish Bean to go to a few shows with a stretch goal of going to the MCI GB nationals (and maybe BD associated champs). -We did do a few shows, havent done any BD/MCI (mainly time and money). But did do some jumping!

2) The big cob man to do some BD shows and maybe an area festival/ associated champs.- Didn't do BD (also money and time 🤣) but did a few RC comps and went to the BRC nationals and placed which was loads of fun!

3) the fatty Spanish Potato will be 16 next year so will just be having some fun and some more jumping. - Fatty potato doesn't really do much anymore and she is happy as Larry 🤣

Aims for 2025 is to keep happy and healthy!

But I have a couple of aims

1) Go to the breed show, Iberian performance show and maybe MCI with Bean.

2) Do some more jumping and fun things with Bean.

3) Might do some shows with the big cob man.
 
I've been on box rest for too much of 2024. Thought I was getting right then knackered my knee. Recovering now though it is still rather delicate but I am planning to get back on board in the new year. Pony has been taking advantage of me being crocked by being a bit of an ill mannered brat so that needs sorting too.
 
2024 has been a very mixed year, starting well with coblet and I taking part in low level RC jumping clinics and having lessons but then promptly stalled in the spring with lameness, subsequent surgery and extensive rehab. Sadly coblet hasn’t come sound enough even for the regular hacking I want to do so is in the process of being retired and a suitable companion home found. Also my daughters share pony of 2.5 had to be PTS due to colic in august which really affected her badly.
On the positive side we found 2 absolutely terrific horses whose owner needed riding so we’ve been hacking out together twice weekly since the summer and having a blast with them in the Welsh countryside. So haven’t really achieved much in 2024 but have learnt lots which I guess is as important. I’m not sure our budget will allow us to buy in 2025 but we’ll continue to love and enjoy the 2 that we hack and I think their owner may now let us take them out and about, so maybe some fun rides and low level clinics would be nice.
 
I seem to have not got round to adding to the thread last year. I wouldn’t have done what I planned as horse had an op and recovery all summer. The silver lining is that he’s come back stronger and the miles of rehab hand walking have massively improved his hacking. He even seems to enjoy hacking now…
Sort of lost my mojo for competing, but have managed some clinics recently. And we did manage a camp in the spring, which was our first ‘away’ event.
So 2025, just want to enjoy my horse. And hope he stays well.
 
I didn’t comment on last years thread either! But a recap of 2024:
- took both my boys on an outing together and they behaved really well!
- Lost my dear sweet pony after over 20 years together.
- Decided to give up taking the spotty one to local shows as most of the judges near us focus on natives - the complete opposite to what he is!
- A couple of arena hires to crack the spotty canter just enough to be able to attempt some ridden classes, and introduced him to some jumps.
- Smashed it at the Appaloosa society, winning all of our inhand classes and taking the championships and supreme. Behaved impeccably for his first ridden shows with canter too.
- had my first splat off of spotty at South Ox. Gathered my lady balls got back on and just about managed to stay on to finish it! He forgot his halo that day…

2025 Goals (mostly with spotty):
- LESSONS
- Join a riding club?
- Some more intro dressage so we can enter one of the local leagues. Maybe a prelim by the end of the year.
- SJ practice so we can attempt a class or two.
- take him for his first XC schooling
- attempt another fun ride (perhaps not South Ox!) and keep it calm and fun.
- Showing: Windsor & BApS Nationals with spotty. Would like to get big brown to one of the local ones again. I must look into VHS for him too.
 
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