What are you proud of this year? What are your ambitions?

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rachk89

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I know the year isnt fully over, but considering most people have pretty much finished competing and some arent even riding much/at all (damn the weather), I kind of wanted to go over what I am proud of.

Proud of the fact that I have finally gotten over my fear of even getting on a horse. Thanks to the ex racer that bolted from the mounting block twice with me, I developed a horrible fear of just getting on a horse and was only fine once on, but it was just a problem of getting me on. I stupidly bought a half warmblood to help me with that (oddly he did).

Proud of the fact too that I have grown in confidence in riding again even when my horse has his moments of fear (some jump wings will eat horses you know) and he is spooking less now because he knows he wont get out of work, he'll just be made to do more. I still have a bad reaction of leaning forwards at times when he spooks, but I am getting better.

Proud of the fact that I am now able to ride my horse, enjoy it (even when he is a dipstick) and even laugh when I fall off, which has only been once when he decided to canter/bounce through half raised poles.

Think I have improved a lot and am happy that I stuck with it even though it looked hopeless at some points. But I knew and still know he can be a lovely horse and he never does anything in a nasty way, he just knows exactly how to play me. Far too intelligent. :) But I know how to play the game now so we're happier. Love him so much.

It was nice as well that recently I took him back to the place he came from (the dealers as such) for a lesson, and they were so shocked and happy to see how he had changed. They couldnt believe how massive he had become and how much he had changed. Was nice to know that I have done a good job with him and that he looks better now.

Next year, I will continue his dressage training as we are going to be covering the basics over winter and making them perfect before we move to lateral work in the spring. Will start jumping more in the spring too and I want to do a one day event for the wobbleberry charity event. Going to buy a horse trailer and take him out to more places so he gets used to the trailer too as he is becoming more terrified of them. Need to crack that as its not fair on him to be so scared, but I am sure we will.

So what are you proud of for this year? :) What are your ambitions for next year?
 
This year I found my unsuitable pony a lovely loan home and brought myself a new dressage horse, well that was the plan. I came home with a neglected Clydesdale and haven't look back since. He was well underweight and showed no muscle at all. He didn't steer and even the dealer couldn't corner him in canter but it didn't matter I just felt safe on him. In nine months we have come a long way and I am so proud of him. On Sunday he was weighed and he came in at 706 kgs so we are getting there. Hie teeth were so bad the poor dentist came over all emotional and nearly cried when he thought of the pain he must of been in. He had a hook which must of been regularly hit by the bit, no wonder he wouldn't go straight. I have lessons and do intro with him.We have gone from the low 60 % to over 70% :D I hack on my own for miles, he is bare foot and thriving on it, his feet are so much better. Slowly he is learning to trust and as he does he is revealing an intelligence that is simply blinding. So I'm never going to set the dressage world alight but the challenge of working with this remarkable horse and of bringing out the best in him is going to keep me going for a while.
Our ambition for next year is to balance the canter and try a prelim. To do our first sponsored ride and have fun.


This is two weeks after he came to me

Coming in the top ten for intro in July at our first Champ show.

 
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I am proud that my uncatchable pony is now catchable & walking in on a loose rope. I am proud that he's wearing tack & lunging brilliantly.

Most of all I am proud of him going to Rare Breeds & pulling 2 seconds when my only aim was to leave the ring in one piece. All credit to his breeder for producing a lovely chunk of a pony.

Aim for next year? Get a sit on & get him riding!
 
Well done Suki and Camilla.

I tried riding a clydesdale once but failed dismally, they are so massive. Well done on the great job you did on improving his health and his schooling. :)

What is the breed Camilla? I would love to try bringing up a youngster from 1 or 2 years old one time, but that will have to be a way in the future project. My horse takes up far too much of my time as it is and he'd be really jealous if I got another haha.
 
Well done all :) Suki he is beautiful!

I'm super proud of my boy for improving so much this year and giving me the biggest boost in confidence. Last year we competed lightly, mostly riding club stuff but nothing mega, he was very green over 80cm courses but always honest, only had his first jump in 2014 and he was ruddy useless!!

Last year at our riding club AGM I won a training bursary and had a few goals I wanted to achieve this year - to qualify for a riding club championship, to do mine and ponys first ever notice dressage test and score over 65% and to do the intermediate sj teams (starts at 95, and I'm a wimp!)

He started off the year on the 3rd Jan winning an 80cm SJ. Then shortly after we went out and did our first novice test and somehow came away winning win 75%!! We were on the novice sj team and won the regionals so qualified for the Nationals, where we finished 3rd, and then as if nothing could top that... Our team also won the combined training regionals and then went and won at the championships! And individual 4th :D The best day ever in my competing life, such a surreal moment! He's getting fond of these presentations :P

He's since given me my brave pants and we've jumped some 1m/1.05 courses which I never thought I'd have the balls for, and were down for the intermediate sj teams this year too.

Overall he's been a legend and I'm not sure what he'll pull out of the bag next year to top it all!

Obligatory winners picture - one of my all time favourites, and we made it into the BRC mag! He's the bay :)



Next year... I want to qualify for HOYS M&M Workers! Might be a tad optimistic :D
 
rachk89 said:
Well done Suki and Camilla.

I tried riding a clydesdale once but failed dismally, they are so massive. Well done on the great job you did on improving his health and his schooling. :)

What is the breed Camilla? I would love to try bringing up a youngster from 1 or 2 years old one time, but that will have to be a way in the future project. My horse takes up far too much of my time as it is and he'd be really jealous if I got another haha.
Click to expand...

He's an Exmoor.
 
I'm proud that this I made the big step of buying my horse after loaning for nearly two years. We've only been together since August but since then I've learnt so much. I now know how to deal with stressy horses and the best way to calm him down when he's having a moment. We've still got a long way to go on the stress side of things but he's slowly starting to trust me now.
I'm also proud that I was able to do my first ever dressage test last month. We came 5th with 67% and for my first ever test I was pretty proud of that. The judge even said I rode him very well, he was just being lazy!
My ambitions for next year is to finally get out into the competing world. After riding for 8 years I think it's finally time to give it ago. I plan on taking him to local show grounds, and maybe even give him a go at a local cross country course. I also really want to take him to a lesson with my old dressage instructor, she what she thinks of him! Next year is definitely my year to get out into the competing world.
 
I'm proud to have got to the first ever Level 1 TREC championships on my lovely mid teen criollo. He's progressed over the years from an unbalanced, goofy, green pony afraid of his own shadow to a "pony the judge would like to take home" (although not at the champs - his rider let him down and we only just made top 10). Onwards and upwards :-)
 
Ooooh that is a hard one! We've had ups and downs this year

Mostly i'm proud of how far he's come with his hacking. We used to get planting and napping when going out alone, but now this is a very rare occurrence.

Proud of the fact that I managed to get my horse out twice (yes, TWICE :D) this year. I've only owned him a year, promised a good loader but he wasn't. Tried and failed to go to TREC last March, in July and August managed to get him out after lots of practice (still a bit of trouble re-loading but still we got off the yard!) to a local show. Didn't get placed but i've never boxed a horse anywhere before or even done a show that wasn't at a yard I could hack to or at my riding school so was proud of us for that :)

So super proud that my horse has looked after my OH so well in his first year of riding. They did their first jump (little x pole) together the other day. My OH did his first 'look after the horse and ride him round the fields' a few weeks ago when I had to work late - after not being horsey AT ALL before I met him he tacked him up all by himself and had a canter in the field!

Proud that after worrying about his weight/what to feed him etc due to the fact he was massively unfit with no muscles when i got him, he got weighed a couple of weeks ago and I got told he was in tip top condition :D

Proud that, even though he can be a bit backwards at times, he's an absolute gem at heart <3

Next year, I thought i'd want to do more competing but I'm not so sure now! I'd like to get our schooling a bit better and concentrate on jumping a bit as we only do small jumps ATM. Mostly i'd like to get him to a XC course and see how he reacts! With no transport it's hard but just want to get him out a bit more.



Well done everyone else on your achievements too :D I really enjoyed reading through them.



Ooops that was longer then I imagined!
 
Me and my fantastic welsh lady started hacking out solo. She has been known to be super silly and spooky on her own but we took it very slowly and we are now both loving getting out and about, bimbling about on a long rein enjoying each others company.

No plans whatsoever as she is 23 now so I take nothing for granted and just take each day as it comes. :)
 
Well done to everyone! :) I love reading these, such a lovely thread :D

Our achievements are tiny by comparison but feel pretty huge for us. Our first achievement is that we learned how to canter on command, and not trot behind/canter in front, which is a difficult thing for a harness racer. Second achievement is that we moved yards in October across the country to a completely different life and she took it all in her stride, with virtually no adjustment period. We've been together for four years now, but I feel like we're just getting started!
 
Its been a pretty good year this year and things I am most proud of are moving to our new home which came with paddocks and stables so I now have my boy at home. This has given me a massive motivational boost as I'd put him on loan for a year last year and was umming and ahhing about being horsey at all until the move so its renewed my enthusiasm for everything horsey.

Being at home I took the summer to transition him to barefoot and he is taking to it so well I dont think I will ever go back to shoes now. Seeing him at home and so happy makes me so proud. I cant wait to get my trailer test done, get a towing vehicle and trailer and next year we are going out and doing EVERYTHING and ANYTHING and I cant wait :)

I think I've been fortunate enough to find a 2nd riding horse who is coming over this weekend for a hack and if everything goes well she will stay so my ambition with her it to make her as happy as my gelding and also get her out and about next year :)

All in all its been a pretty good year and I'm looking forward to Xmas :)
 
I was incredibly proud to represent the British Horseball Association by playing in France this year. I'm new to the sport but absolutely love it and although my new horse was a bit overwhelmed by it all he was a saint for the long driver over, the ferry crossing and staying in a new place. Fantastic experience.

Ambitions are just to get back on a horse after my horrible injury in August and then to complete the Wobbleberries Challenge on Dangerous Brian next autumn! There's a lot of work to do as my confidence was smashed worse than my arm!
 
Sound very positive- well done &#128077;&#127995;

After 4 months off at start of the year (no riding/horse duties) & having to consider giving up riding altogether due to health problems, I'm proud to have pushed through & won our first novice test on my 20 year 'young mare.I'm also pleased I took the opportunity to learn advanced movements on Grand Prix schoolmasters in summer which has really set me up to be able to train my own horse. Next year I look forward to competing affiliated BD & moving towards elementary level. I also hope to spend some more time training in Gloucester as there's not much available here in scotland!
 
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My home produced 5yo jumped DC in every 5yo class I've jumped in,and has got a really good name for herself on the circuit which is really nice considering I am very much an amateur and she is the first horse I've done for myself.

Not only that, but she herself has grown into such a lovely horse, she is my soul mate,team mate and my best friend. I wouldn't part with her for no amount of money :)
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My little 4yo who was only broken middle of this year went and jumped 4yos at arena UK major show for his first ever show. He got a very unlucky 4flts but what an amazing little horse. I am selling him due to owning a few to many and just moving out, but I can't wait to see how he does with someone else!
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That was his first time jumping in July and this was him at Arena in September
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They make me happy every single day!
 
I'm back competing after years of being too poorly to. I'm also back on board my big lad, after his injury and a huge confidence failure on my part. We've sorted our selves out and our relationship under saddle is stronger than ever.
 
What a lovely thread! So nice to see everyone's achievements.

I am proud that I have completed my BHS Stage 1 this year and have just ditched my office job so start working at a riding school whilst training to be an instructor. It's a big move but I am so proud of myself for being brave enough to chase my dream.

In 2017 I want to complete my Stage 2, Stage 3 and PTT and also (now I will have some more time to ride) I want to take my wonderful mare round the BE80(T) at Burnham Market in September.
 
Ah this is a lovely thread!

I am proud that I listened to my gut with Doodle and now 11 months in she is back in proper work, sound and now completely barefoot not even boots are now needed. Which after 20+ years in shoes, nine months previously of box rest where we thought we might loose her, Cushings making things even more difficult, and against the wishes of both the vet and farrier I am so pleased for the old diva, shes my world and I want to do the best I can for her twilight years :).

I am super proud that me and Topaz are really starting to become a true partnership, she has given me her all this year when it mattered which meant we came 11th at Regionals, she is starting to cope better indoors (which is a big step!) and came 2nd at Areas so we're off to Hartpury for the champs in April :eek:!

Then little Skylla, she makes me proud everyday, she may not be as advanced as some four year olds but I'm pleased with where we are! Plus she's won nearly every time out this year which is a bit mental (especially when you see her canter :lol:).
 
I've had a very different year to normal and have done very little in the way of riding myself, however -

I'm very proud of the stunning foal my mare has bred me,
I'm very proud of the young event horse my friend and I bought from Ireland 20 months ago, he very narrowly missed out on quals for both BYEH and 5yo Champs at Osberton (which in retrospect is probably no bad thing) and finished his season on back to back wins.
And I'm exceptionally proud of one of my best friends 4* debut and leading the horse in Burghley prize giving.

So a very different but exceptional year
 
There are some real tear jerkers here, lovely thread.

OP - I get where you are coming from with regards to getting on after your horse bolted. My lad would sometimes bronc/put his back up when you got on ( doesn't do it now, all xrayed etc nothing wrong with him) it made me scared to just get on anything, other than my ole girl. Ive over come that fear now, and its such a relief.

Suzi - love your story too, what a huge difference in your gorgeous Clydesdale, some horses just carry on regardless of pain. Years of fun for you.

ljohnsonj - gorgeous mare, what fabulous results you've had, its amazing when you've done the work yourself

ihatework - nothing beats the feeling of ' I bred this one myself'


I'm proud of sticking to my guns, and selling off the youngsters, and letting go of the dream of riding my homebreds. Its a relief ! Ive now bought a fabulous irish draught mare, who has a very generous temperament, for me to have fun with. id forgotten what fun was. My ambition is to get her out to an intro dressage class by January, and next year attempt some irish draught / hunter classes.
 
Well done to everyone. It's so good to have goals.

This year I am proud that I got a double clear at BE80 on my WB. Not much for some but big deal for me and was hoping to step up to BE90 next year but he has just been diagnosed with Cushings. So my ambitions for next year are up in the end. I just want to get him stabilised and happy.
I am also proud, that my exracer is back in work and going well after tendon and SI problems. Hoping to pop homier a cross pole before the years out.
 
I am proud of having finally learned patience and waited for my insecure, immature skewbald to develop in his own good time. He may, in terms of schooling, be six going on four, but he's made terrific progress recently, and in another couple of years is going to be a super horse. Though I don't think cross country is ever going to be his thing :)

My ambition is to complete a walk and trot test in competition before he turns seven :)

(My ambition for my other six year old, started at the same time, is a medium test score over 60% before he turns seven. We are only missing medium trot at the moment.)

My younger self would have pushed the baby too far too fast. I'm glad I didn't meet a horse like him until now.

Congrats to everyone who has met personal goals this year!
 
I'm proud of how my horse has coped this year with box rest, two operations and rehab- she is still her lovely self and has been impeccably behaved!
My ambitions- are rather low currently I would just like to have a horse who is sound and comfortable to be ridden my goals if she can be are to be able to get out doing some prelim/novice dressage and low level jumping by the end of next year.
Also I would like to not be known by voice by my vets and stop funding there holidays!!
 
This year I'm proud of finally finding another horse and, as a result, sorting my life out! No details here as I'm sure many of you already know the story but my mental health was at rock bottom. Having Chilli to throw my heart and soul into has turned my life around. I've found the confidence to get a job (money for the next season, woo hoo!) and to push myself to improve my riding. I don't think I'm the same person I was the day before I tried her. She's been rather difficult at times and our BE debut was frankly horrific but I wouldn't change her for the world.

A pic that makes me laugh-please bare in mind this is the horse who has evented under BE plenty in her life up to 100 level saying 'no' to a 90 SJ :D
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And this is a photo I just love because it sums up the peace she brings me when my head just isn't functioning in the human world :o
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Goals for next year are to have a double clear BE90 and score sub 35 dressages. Nothing dazzling but it'll be special to me if we manage it.
 
This is riding-related but also a personal goal which I've achieved, and that is to have lost weight this year. I was very aware that my weight was, at the beginning of the year, thoroughly depressing me and making me feel yucky, and also that simply because of this fact, it was impacting on my riding.

I'm back down to a size 12 and nine-and-a-quarter-stone now (sorry, I can only think in Old Money!), and have lost a lot of the pudge which was in all the wrong places! Which now means that I'm able to really enjoy the little 12.2 Exmoor pony I've taken on loan........

Am aware that my riding has improved too, simply because I'm feeling leaner and fitter, and have so much more energy because of it.

One goal I haven't reached this year (yet!) is to find my next Forever Horse......... have fallen in love with a total of three: one the owner sold to someone else and not me; the other two failed vettings :( I really really want to find Him or Her in 2017. That would be sooo lovely.
 
Well done everyone. I have enjoyed reading about your achievements.

This year I joined a Riding Club. I also booked lessons at places I had never been before. All this was pretty scary for elderly me on my own. Everyone was really kind. Also my horse very good and everyone seemed to love her which helped my confidence a huge amount. Looking forward to doing it again next year.
 
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