This weekend marked the end of the eventing season in Kentucky. There’s one last recognized event in Tennessee this weekend, but obviously, May and I won’t be going. Once again, I am left with the feeling that we let another season go down the drain, but in the spirit of being thankful and positive, I figured I would list out all the things we DID accomplish this year.
Got Back in the Show Ring
2017 was the year of no shows for us, so the fact that we managed to make it to two shows this year, is a massive improvement. Part of me wishes we had made the jump to tackle BN at our second event, but the majority of me feels accomplished in the fact that we really seemed to slay some demons in the show jumping ring.
[wpvideo HTvBCJMD]
Found Our Barn Family
Some of them read this blog so… Hi! Moving to a new barn has meant a better routine for May and I (when she isn’t escaping), and easier access to the level of shows that I am interested in at the moment. However, more than that, it has meant new friends, a trainer whose program is really working for us, and very few days or nights at the barn where I am completely alone. It’s added back a part of riding that I hadn’t realized I was really missing – the social part.
Found May a Second Rider
This was one of those odd times where timing, circumstances, and luck all kind of came together. I guess it follows along with the vein of how I got May. I put what I wanted out into the universe and… the universe delivered. Life is weird that way sometimes.
However, now is a great time to refocus on the off season.
Get Fit
I guess this is a goal for both May and me. Having a second rider means May is being worked 4 – 5 days a week right now, which is pretty much ideal. As for me, I committed to working out with a friend of mine. First spin class is on the schedule for tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!
Get Lessons
Budget has been diverted to paying for things for the house in hopes of getting everything set before we have a full house for Thanksgiving (7 adults and 2 kids!). I will probably end up posting pics at some point. Either way, the extra income from a half leaser is going to, at least, somewhat, be diverted towards lessons.
Make a Plan
Am I the only one already looking at the schedule for 2019? Budget will really drive our path next year, but I would love to do a recognized event at KHP at BN. Hopefully, that isn’t too much to ask for!
Anyone else having all the feels at the end of another eventing season?
YES. YES. AND YES! Thank you for writing this post. I was laying in bed last night beating myself up for all the things I didn’t do this year. But then I told myself to stop and focus on the things I did do. It doesn’t do any good at all to focus on the negative and sometimes I need to get out of my own head.
We put so much expectation and “wants” into horses. I think it’s important to make sure we are definitely reflecting on the good more than the bad. Glad you’re trying to do the same!
End of the season is always sad for me. Especially since I know I need to slug through winter here… BUT, I am definitely already looking at the calendar and starting to plan. It’s what gets me through the winter!!
Yes! I think we definitely need some “Win-spiration” haha
Omg love the pun
“Win-spiration” blog hop anyone? hahaha
Oh man, my season went completely off the rails. I purchased H’Appy with the hopes of hitting a schooling HT or two in the late summer/fall but yeah…ended up being lame the entire time. I’m very much already looking at 2019 and tentatively making plans on what shows I want to hit.
Horses laugh at our plans. That’s for sure!
May went lame my first season with her. She decided that any farrier that wanted to put shoes on her was the devil, and then she got a piece of gravel up in her white line that we just had to wait out…
Oh horses.
Definitely already planning for 2019! I need solid goals to work toward, otherwise I tend to let riding and staying fit slide too much. I went ahead and signed myself up for a Buck Davidson clinic in March, so I have no excuse to be lazy this winter! Hoping to do a recognized event at BN next year, so we have lots to work on over the winter.
Oh the Buck Davidson clinic sounds fun! I hear he’s a great clinician. A recognized BN is on the top of my hit list next year.
Yes, even with a meh season, didn’t get out a whole lot, but looking forward to applying what I learned next year! Glad you had everything work out for you with the new place and leaser!
We definitely learned a lot this year, even if we didn’t get to apply a lot of it. Riding is definitely a “long term” sport, just ask Denny Emerson. 😉
Totally…Ill be good by 90 maybe LOL
Congrats on a solid year!! I totally know the feeling of being so consumed by the boxes that *didn’t* get checked off that I forget to appreciate the good stuff that happened. It was a good year tho !
You and Charlie had an awesome year! Way to rock it, even when he tried to throw you all the curve balls.
haha no I am looking at the 2019 as well! Sounds like you and May had a growth year even if you didn’t make it to as many events as you wanted to. The Growth years can be hard but you’ve set yourself up for success in 2019.
Yes! We conquered some demons in the SJ ring and built ourselves a great team. Fingers crossed that 2019 is “our year”.
Love this post! I really love your positivity and ability to see the positivity on everything. Helps inspire me to do the same. Great goals for the winter, good luck!
Thank you! You and Rio had a totally break-out season. I am sure you are excited to get started on 2019!