After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time! most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the
Here is a look back to my goals I set in January 2010. Some were met and some were not. But overall I am very happy with how our year progressed!
Sparky - ALL GOALS MET! Yay!
Keep her healthy, happy, and soundRide/drive her lightly
Keep her healthy, happy, and soundContinue to show at recognized dressage shows, a few of the MHA hunter shows, and perhaps a three phase event or twoCompete for the third year in a row at the Standardbred Nationals in AugustTake at least 2 lessons per month with Judy, preferably more if possibleAttend as many clinics as financially possibleMarshal at the racetrack for MSBOA and SD as needed...maybe one day at Cumberland with Shel??- Go team penning and/or try cowboy mounted shooting (I am being serious!! LOL!)
Continue to work on the connection to the bit at the canter, the stretchy trot, and begin to ask for increased collection/impulsionScore consistently in the 60's at Training levelStrengthen my core (This is obviously a goal for me, but I will be achieving it when riding Dreamy, so here it is.)Have fun at WEG
Keep her healthy, happy, and soundContinue the excellent under saddle work started last July-OctWork on balance while walking and trotting, reaching for the bit, and bending ribcageContinue to work on in-hand cues (for showing in 2011)Introduce canter in late summer/early fall (maybe)Attend at least one clinic- Attend at least one SMDA schooling show, not to show, but to "school on the grounds"
Take her to a few lessons at Judy's, mostly just to get her off the farmBe ready to compete in Intro level dressage and walk/trot hunter classes in 2011
We scored consistently in the 60s at our USDF rated shows. We even earned scores at Training level up to a 68.214%! The July day at UNH when we earned that score was the best feeling ever!!! :) Yay for dressage Standardbreds!!!
We rode at WEG 2010! OMG! That was far and away the best equine experience of my life. I will never do something that awesome again, I just know it. It was outrageous, fun, exhausting , thrilling, exciting, did I mention FUN, and so worth it. :-D
And of course, Dreamy earned a ton of other ribbons and year end awards. :) But that was to be expected, right?? ;-D
Overall, 2010 was a huge year for me and Dreamy in competition. I am proud of her and still a little overwhelmed about it all.
I am not 100% sure what 2011 is going to look like just yet. I need to see what the various show calendars look like, decide who is going to do what (Reva is going to debut in 2011!), decide if I want to try more USDF shows or stick with schooling shows (or BOTH), etc, etc. There is still much to be decided for 2011 goals.
But I know one thing. I am healthy, happy, and excited. And my lovely mares are happy and healthy. Not so sure about the "excited" part! LOL! ;-D
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