Thinking forward into 2013...

chrissy&cocoa

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With all this crappy weather it is difficult to find the motivation and to see the light at the end of the tunnel, so thought i would start a new thread for other like minded people to share their goals and what they are looking forward to this year ready for when the days are longer and warmer! This will be my first summer living away from home without the support of my mum, but have found a lovely little yard right by the south downs. It is also my first time at trying out a little bit of eventing, having previously show jumped for the last seven years! Its my second summer with Cocoa, a 14hh new forest gelding who is an absolute gem (although a bit on the cheeky side occasionally). We have begun fittening, and work is progressing very nicely. Took him out to a local unaffiliated sj where he came first and second after 4 months off! This year holds lots of hope i think! How is everyone else holding out this January? :)
 
Am relearning everything from the ground up! Have an incredible instructor, who has rebuilt my confidence and taken me from shaking with terror at the sight of a horse (mid December), to looking forward to my riding again (early January). She now has me trotting off the lunge! This is incredibly massive for me, as I was an utter wreck to begin with. I find that my confidence has also improved outside of riding, so very thereputic overall. I like to think that by the time the decent weather is here, I will be ready for hacking out in company. But I also know that no one will pressure me to do so until I am ready.
 
Good to hear, sounds like an inspiring instructor! One thing you have to remember is that we all started somewhere, and any progression, no matter how small is positive! Great to hear someone else say how they can boost life outside of the stables! Going to the yard is my favourite time of day with my little man, sets me up for all the grumbling and demanding customers i get at work for the day (I am a waitress!). As long as the job pays for my horses stable, then i am content :) Keep going with the hard work, sounds terrific!
 
I finally bought my first horse this month, I fell in love with him years ago and the opportunity arose to buy him, so we are still in the honeymoon period :D

He has worked hard in his previous home so I am currently giving him a couple months holiday until I plan on bringing him back into work and attempting to hack out - he has never hacked before - my dream has always been to do endurance, whether or not that will work out with him I'm not sure, but it's something to attempt anyway.
I am currently saving up to buy some jumping equipment and will be getting some instructors to come to me (I don't livery on a riding school) and hopefully get him out doing some small local shows, mainly just to let him potter around and feel the party atmosphere, as he has never been to shows before!

I'm not into competing, it's not something I have ever done before, but I think we could both benefit from learning together and having fun doing something a bit different and setting ourselves small goals to work towards.
 
Sounds similar to us. Cocoa was given to me in May after proving that he is not a fan of children (I cannot blame him, nor am i!). He is 8 now but i have known him from a 4 yr old and watched him being broken and brought on. Finally the opportunity arose and i couldn't say no! I have not looked back since! Have previously owned a DW with good breeding who was a bit of a plank and we didn't get on as he was much of a lad for me. Had downgraded back down to a forester and love it! I have come to the conclusion with other horses that they are too damn expensive to not enjoy. Even when we go to competitions now its all about having fun, and that we are both enjoying it!
 
Plans are baaaaaaaad...... But just as vague ideas that may or may not come to fruition:

- I'd like to have plenty of time to play with Wolf, to learn about life, do bits and bats, maybe humiliate ourselves at a dressidge test, and maybe get to our first pleasure ride by the end of the year.
- I'd like Spud to get over the abscess he's currently sporting and then get him to some new rides we've never done before. I'd also like to get him to a local baby cross country course for a jumping lesson - what he'll think to that I don't know.
- I'd like to get baby Felix to a show or two.
- I'd like H to live forever :(

None of the above constitutes a plan in any way shape or form.
 
My first goal is getting tink out hacking solo! She is going fantastically out with her friend Ben but is a wreck by herself.

After that, I guess anything just to get her out and about! I'd love to take her to a beech at some point! Or a lovely big forest!

Next year will be our year to really do things! Will hopefully have a horse box by then too! :)
 
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