Mid year goal setting

personally it's a problem of 'the more you know, the more you realise you have to learn' :oops:
therefore I anticipate it being a problem forever.

a constant cycle of feeling like I've cracked something and then realising how much I am winging it and starting all over again to try and make it better.

And comparing yourself against pros and realising how utterly crap you are by comparison! That's what lies behind my resolution to watch more amateur type shows, I find watching my peers more helpful for keeping morale up ;)
 
haha! well.. that's one way of looking at it I suppose! For me I just find it much more aspirational to watch someone fluffing bits and having a not perfect position 100% of the time and still riding their horse well with good horsemanship and getting good results... it's all too easy to only watch the likes of Carl and Charlotte in my sport, because they are everywhere in the media, and tbh if you have 1 horse to ride and a full time job to fit it all around then you're onto a loser just in terms of ever physically being able to ride like that, even if you could learn the stuff they know.

comparing to peers makes you give yourself a break now and then. I like watching amateurs at the levels above me (they are still better!!) cos that feels like something I might achieve. Watching Charlotte get 80% on her pick of the MSJ horses is so far removed from my reality.
 
Is this where I admit that I got a boost recently from being out with someone who was jumping bigger than I’m comfortable with, but was an amateur wobbly rider like me? And I thought, what the hell, if she can do it, so can I. And I did. Not sure if that would be seen as a backhanded compliment but it did motivate me!
 
AlexHyde said:
Next year goals:

Skylla, I've had my bum kicked my the lovely Di Breeze to kick on and bring her out at medium as she will do so much better (and I remember medium tests ;)). I'm hoping to do some more jumping with her, hopefully building to some actual classes and maybe even some low level eventing!

Topaz, we are having a winter of training to look to doing our PSG next spring o_O!

Doodle, is planning to continue to eat, sleep and be merry :).

Me, well to add to the horsey goals I plan to start the new year in a new country ;), as it's all looking good for the big move to Wales!
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So asides from Doodle this year has not gone to plan!

I did move to Wales, but Skylla did not agree it was a good thing and so ulcers put us back! We're back on track now but the last comp I entered for her was cancelled due to Equine flu, so by the end of the year I hope she will have done something exciting to update you all with!

Topaz did her first PSG as planned though unaff, her BD one was booked but then she went lame! So we have one more chance the end of Aug before I need to do her Advanced again, so fingers crossed for that one!

All in all a bit up and down at the halfway mark, though I'm hoping to really kick on for the remainder of the season :cool:.

Plus I'm definitely with you MP, I much prefer watching amateurs as I can relate to them, love the pro's but they are just so far away from what I can achieve it's not a learning opportunity as much as they person on a native/TB/bonkers carriage horse (just me and Steph Croxford there :p).
 
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I dream of the day where I'll find someone I'm better than in any sport! I'm not sure I won't run around excitedly in circles proclaiming "OH MY GOD I'M NOT THE WORST HUMAN IN THE WORLD EVER" 🤣

Although I'm told my mare is pretty good. (Aside from being a bit backward thinking which is my fault, and having a head flick issue which is also my fault...)
 
Didn't have any goals in the New Year, as was unsure of whether my 22yo would be in work this year. I was right! Officially retired him after a scan revealed an injury that put the stoppers on any more ridden work. He owes me nothing so is currently growing a nice big belly in his well earned retirement.

I am very fortunate to have been able to get a third horse mid March, a few weeks after Andy's scan. He is a 6yo ex racer, who has not done much (and had all winter off) since his last race 2yrs ago. I am taking it really slowly with him, he's gone barefoot after pulling 3 shoes in the first 2 days of having him, and it took a while to get the right saddle for him too. That was sorted about 6 weeks ago, and he is coming on leaps and bounds now. Not sure if it is because he is getting better, or because I am getting used to him, but he feels a lot less wobbly in the school and out hacking now. We just have a slight issue with wide open spaces (I am right on the South Downs Way), not that he is trying to bog off with me, but that they are a bit overwhelming somehow. My aim is to do a simple Prelim on him end of Sept/Oct time, which I think is very achievable given his progress since we had the saddle fitted. He is no longer cold backed when getting on, and we are 99.8% there on sorting the standing still when mounting too. He has come a long way!
 
My year started well with getting my 5 yr old back into work after her fractured splint bone operation. We managed to do some pole work clinics and hack out on our own and I was starting to really enjoy riding again. Then 3 weeks ago came my disastrous fall and now my aim is to walk again before Christmas and I am hoping to ride again in the future. I am trying not to jump to any major decisions but I may have to sell the 5 yr old and just keep my two retired ponies.
 
Bernster said:
Is this where I admit that I got a boost recently from being out with someone who was jumping bigger than I’m comfortable with, but was an amateur wobbly rider like me? And I thought, what the hell, if she can do it, so can I. And I did. Not sure if that would be seen as a backhanded compliment but it did motivate me!
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I have been the "inspiration" in this circumstance and have taken it as a compliment - i don't know if others would see it this way. At Riding club dressage I entered the elementary on my Clydesdale and I've had about 4 people tell me they've chosen to step up after what they've seen me do. We are definitely in the wobbly rider, crap riding, inconsistent performance category but we try and we enjoy it. It's not the path for everyone but it works for us! Too much in horse sport is striving for perfection and i think we sometimes forget to enjoy other aspects of it too!
 
Ah that’s nice AJ.

I didn’t tell the person so no fear of offending them unintentionally haha. I did also get this myself - apparently helping to encourage someone to do a little ode after they saw me do it. It would def be a similar case, having seen me kick and flap my way round!
 
I'm not particularly good anyway but the feeling that my number one supporter has gone has really knocked my confidence further - I know, I know, I shouldn't let a man make me feel that way!
 
I didn't post in the original post, but I did set myself some goals at the start of the year!

- Ride in a one day event. This one has sort of happened, we've done a hunter trial (clear, and had a ton of fun!) and some combined training. Just haven't found somewhere unaff that puts all three together in one day!

- Gain over 65% in a prelim level dressage test. Ticked this off :D although we are generally in the low to mid 60's at unaff prelim. But I'm loving my dressage lessons and certainly improving!

- Jump a 75cm course confidently. Yep yep yep this has happened numerous times! :D Even thinking about moving up to 80/85cm courses wahh!

Also we are still having a ton of fun when we go out competing etc. We seem to have Bobbys weird trembling when we go out sorted (if you've read our other posts). And its been over two years since Bobby had his stifles injected and he is still very much sound :D
 
JFTD-WS said:
Although I'm told my mare is pretty good. (Aside from being a bit backward thinking which is my fault, and having a head flick issue which is also my fault...)
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I was lamenting to my instructor yesterday about how its always my fault, she looked at me like I was stupid and said of course its your fault, its not going to be the horses fault is it. So that was me told! 😂😂😂
 
if I remember rightly my main aim was to be more confident and positive in our jumping and keep improving my riding and our flat work, which we have, but, every time we get a bit better I move the goal posts and I want to aim higher :-)
I am so much enjoying and focused on our training goals have not even been out competing much at all in last couple months - although one of the reasons is we had a lovely and very lively litter of springer puppies from my bitch in May- so they did keep us busy !

Anyhow aims for rest of 2019 are to keep on training in the same vein and improve even more - hopefully !

Lastly, plans going into 2020, not an aim as such more of a dream, something wonderful I was not planning at all, is that next April/May I will be having my very own foal.

The broodmare,who has a super yearling on the ground at the moment, is BWB and owned by my trainer, earlier this year in a chance conversation she offered me the opportunity to have a foal of my own from her, so after much deliberation, I have opted for a tobiano AES registered stallion who is also the sire of her yearling.

Am aiming for a general purpose horse who could do any job, dressage/jump/event, as the blood lines on both sides are super - Rubicell, Ramiro Z, Mecenas/Samber , both parents have excellent temperaments, which was one of my main considerations and move and jump beautifully. I am super excited and rather scared, I realise it could all go badly wrong- but i have decided life is for the living and just go for it!
if all goes well I will be backing and riding the resulting offspring when I am aged about 56 :p ;)
 
I don't think I posted for fear of jinxing us. But that happened anyway , a field injury means Daisy has had a career change and is now hopefully in foal so that will be very exciting next year. I really hope that all goes well. I'm hoping for a bay filly, so odds are we'll get a grey colt :D
I've sorted out finances as much as I can , got back on a diet and am now working on getting a new horse for me to ride. It has to be a quarter horse and a mare which makes them hard to find and expensive. But I have a lead so hopefully some good news in the coming months, although it will probably mean starting with a youngster all over again, but practise makes perfect :)
Plus I've just placed my first wiggle order in over 3 years so may be getting back on the triathlon wagon to keep me occupied.
I will ride in a ranch class at the AQHA UK breed show, I just don't know which year it will be :D:D
 
I didn't post originally.. if you were to of asked me at the start of the year I'd of said to fix my gelding who had just been diagnosed with neck arthritis and to find whats wrong with my other gelding. Maybe have 2 fixed horses in work, would of probably been the goal!

7 months later..
No fixing my gelding with neck issues, hes been retired for 2 months now and it isn't looking great for him even as a pet.
My other gelding who was lame had a op in February, is now sound and was signed off by the vets a couple of weeks ago. We have been just hacking around, starting to box out for hacks and enjoy ourselves.

I would of said last year, my goals are to compete at X, do X.. but now I think i'd just be happy if he stayed sound and I could continue having fun on him. I appreciate every moment in the saddle.
Maybe a ultimate goal would be to do some prelim tests this summer, or even novice if he goes THAT well but doubt that!
 
Chippers1 said:
I'm not particularly good anyway but the feeling that my number one supporter has gone has really knocked my confidence further - I know, I know, I shouldn't let a man make me feel that way!
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Oh @Chippers1 !!!! YOu can do anything and if the man is gone I promise there's better out there working their way towards the moment where your paths cross.

UNTIL THEN, find me on Facebook. Friend me (Emily Daignault-Salvaggio) and I will sic my legion of nearly 5000 horse lover friends to cheer for you wherever you may post about. We can cheer and we can support when times are tough.

And honestly that offer goes for anyone who needs a swell of fan friendly confidence. My door is always open and I do appreciate everything it takes to succeed at the small moments on the larger journey.

Em
 
Having started the year just intending to go out and do a spot of dressage with my little cob (everyone knows why so I won't rehearse it), we are now aiming for the BD cob championships this autumn. We have a few scores under our belt and a few outings planned so hopefully it is achievable. Aiming for novice and elementary.

My big lad has been accepted as a part bred traditional too, but I have to send his passport off to be overstamped if I want to do it, and in the current climate of having to show flu jabs everywhere you go I'm not sure I will get chance to send it off and be passport-less for a few weeks.

Big goal with the big lad is a clear SJ course anywhere. BE or unaffiliated SJ, I just want to go clear 😄
 
I've had a bit of a confidence crisis recently and riding with people who are struggling even more than me does help put things in perspective! A helpful 'being more rubbish than you' service I have offered many people myself many times :p:p

So at the beginning of the year I wrote:

My goals for next year are to do some BE90s. So this feels quite exposing as I tend to be a bit - ah well the dressage is a disaster but hey she jumps well - but this year I am actually going to set some more specific targets: I don't just want to get round anymore, I want to do myself and Amber justice. So here goes: I want a 20s dressage at some stage next year. 29.9 is fine but I want to break the 30 barrier. And I want at least some DCs - which means getting better at the SJ phase as I struggle to establish and maintain a good enough canter for clear rounds. If I achieve those I will be ecstatic!

We have done several BE90s and we have achieved a DC. And we have jumped some rhythmical SJ rounds in training and in competition. But the dressage is still a real weak link. Despite a huge amount of effort in dressage, I am nowhere near a 30 dressage.

SO my plan for the rest of the year is to still to perform well on my last few runs and finish on a reasonable score and then to enter a regional unaff dressage league and continue with regular dressage instruction.

Reviewing this has helped me see that we have achieved a lot. BE90s feel pretty manageable now which feels pretty amazing to me. I still can't quite believe I am eventing at all let alone aiming for placings. Sometimes it is helpful to look back to where I have come from not just forward to the next goal.
 
So I have had a mixed year of goal achieving.
Wonderful little mare came completely sound and was ready to do a short ride. She then smacked herself the week of the ride and was lame. Vet was unsure if that was why she was lame, but she is now sound and trotting so will hopefully do something this year!!
Maisy has been crap all year. She has gone intermittently lame with no diagnosis being found. I'm not sure what the future holds but given her history she will come right eventually, just not this year!!
Winnie's aims were to do more endurance and get jumping with a view to doing some BS. The endurance has happened but the jumping has taken a back seat. As I have to go out to jump, and she is doing more serious distances requiring a week off after competition and tapering of work in the lead up it makes it hard to fit in. My tentative aim is to step up to FEI and do a 120k which will be unknown territory for me. We will get jumping later on!!
Tamba has done everything I asked. He has jumped round hunter trials done some combined training and been to two endurance rides with another planned. I'm hoping to get him to a BE by the end of the year, although our dressage needs some serious work!!
I'm very lucky to have incredible support and can really get confidence waning when that goes.
 
I didn't post in the original thread, but at the start of the year my goals were to start doing a bit of dressage in the spring, enter a few clear rounds over summer and *possibly* do the smallest ODE I could find right at the end of the season.

As His Lordship decided that field life was the only life for him until we moved yards, we had to reevaluate!

Recently we took part in a low key UA dressage, and we finished middle of the pack on 62.6%. It was just enough to get a frilly! Since then we've been playing over some tiny XC fences, mostly hacked but thrown in the occasional schooling session in the arena.

I feel like we've achieved quite a lot since moving, and while we're not as far along as I had hoped for, I'm pretty proud!

Goals for the rest of the year are as follows:

- have a go at a clear round or two

- have our first off-yard solo hack

- build his confidence over XC fences

We may do an Eventer Challenge over winter, I'd like to get out to a combined training or two, but I'm not putting any pressure on us. Hopefully this will set us up nicely to get out eventing next season, but we'll see how it all goes!
 
rosiesowner said:
In honesty, I was nervous to read that thread and feel like a failure because I hadn't met any of my goals. Turns out I have!

"I'd love to do some Quest though, and just ENJOY it, as time with Chilli is going to be my me time and outings are time mum and I can spend together. Really, all I want to do is stuff my pony's face with carrots and continue to love riding her, maybe with a few lessons and competitions thrown in there too."

Well, we've managed to do all of that! So if we keep going the way we're going, we should be fine! Thanks MP for this thread which has reminded me that we're on track as I've been feeling a bit disheartened recently.
Here's a few photo highlights of what we've managed so far:

Going to a good few BD comps and gaining our prelim qualification for TB and RoR associated champs.
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Getting out to arena hires and having a few lessons:
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Bit of jumping for fun:
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So let's hope we keep going the same way, simply enjoying ourselves and having fun! :)
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What some lovely photos and well done on the rosette colour by the way
 
I did not post in the thread on page 1 I did post my goals on my instagram page basecilly I put was to get better dressage scores and do more showjumping
 
BunnyDog said:
UNTIL THEN, find me on Facebook. Friend me (Emily Daignault-Salvaggio) and I will sic my legion of nearly 5000 horse lover friends to cheer for you wherever you may post about. We can cheer and we can support when times are tough.


Em
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Thank you, I will do :)
 
Ambers Echo said:
Sometimes it is helpful to look back to where I have come from not just forward to the next goal.
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Definitely agree with this.
Friends on FB will know that I use it like a mini blog for my horses. This brings bittersweet moments when FB memories digs up the now broken ponies but also shows me (every day) how far we have come, tiny daily steps building up into actual leaps forward 😎 I really do find that helpful, keeps the despondent feelings a little more under control.
 
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