Setting Goals and realistic aims

[Jenna87]

As some of you may have read I've started riding again after a 10 year break. I'm having private lessons once a week and sharing a happy hacker.

Today in my lesson my instructor was talking about aims and we discussed writing them down for next week... So my question to you all what are your short term aims , mid term aims and long term riding aims?

Give me some ideas

 

[nikkimariet]

Well... I love competing dressage but Fig loves his jumping at home and we are starting to play with side saddle too

Short term -

polish the 2's and 1's
tuck my elbows in whilst jumping
strengthen work on the left rein side saddle

Mid term -

PSG regionals qual
Inter 1 AF qual
get Fig calm jumping a little course at home

Long term -

60% grand prix
would love to do a side saddle competition
sponsored ride

 

[paddi22]

what area of horseriding do you enjoy the most, flatwork, crosscountry, showjumping? Do you have access to transport to shows etc? does your yard run local shows?

it really boils down to what your preferences are, if the goal isn't something you really, really want to do you will be less motivated. There's no point setting a dressage goal if you prefer jumping and find flatwork boring!.

For a lesson plan for a rusty rider maybe

Flatwork
Long term goal: Score of 60% at a dressage test at show X next year

Mid term goal:
• get out to do some tests and analyse feedback
• Improve me worst area (eg canter transition)
• Fix my weakest area in position (eg, floppy contact, heels up)

Short term:
• Exercises focusing on heels down
• lessons concentrating on contact
• learn and Practice one dressage test a month in front of instructor


For a jumping one

Longterm: go to show x and jump at 60cm for example

Mid term:
• be going clear at 50cm shows
• improve position: jump a round in front of instructor where position is analysed
• jump 70cm at lessons in grids etc (then 60 will seem small)

Short term:
• Fix swinging lower leg, work out exercises with instructor
• Not looking up over jumps: plan exercises with instructor
• Scared of height: gridwork etc to get confidence up

It's all stuff that has to be measurable and building towards your main goal. I do eventing and i'm constantly looking at short, mid and long term goals to make sure we are on track. It's good to pick a definite event as your long term, otherwise there's no deadline!

 

[milliepops]

great post paddi, and OP, i think your instructor sound like a good one if she is asking where you want to go with your riding.

Personally my aims are all around competitive dressage so probably not relevant to you at this stage Good luck with your lessons

 

[Jenna87]

Thanks for everyone's reply

It was part my instructors idea, part coming as an instructor of dog training classes I knew what I wanted when choosing a riding school and made it very clear when booking. Because let's face it private lessons aren't cheap and I want to make the most of every minute.

I think the bit I find the hardest is that the goals I had all those years ago from my first stint in riding are very different from today... I know it's not totally starting again from the beginning and I have retained a lot of knowledge, I just can't seem to get my body to cooperate lol

Short term seem the easiest to think of...

- improve my seat
- have requested lunge lesson
- keep hands still (especially on lazy horses)
- improve my own flexibility
- learn to motivate lazy school horse whilst still looking elegant

A bit longer term

- see if I remember lateral work
- jump (used to jump a lot but not done for years)
- ride again in open order (probably be fine but want to experience again as stupid as it sounds)
- ride with no stirrups and not dread it lol

V Long term

- I want my own horse but until Ive figured out what I want from that horse, what activities I'd like to try etc I see no point looking