While we have our first show this weekend, I figured I would break down what the plan is this season. The plan is a bit finicky because I want to make sure my part leaser gets plenty of opportunities to get out and play (her and May look AMAZING!), but I also have some pretty big goals.
April 5-6
Spring Bay Horse Trials
Level: Starter
We’re just going starter this weekend, but it’s a beefier starter than what we did at schooling trials last year. The omnibus ranks the cross country as “Terrain: Rolling hills, mostly open; water & up/down banks at all levels. Good early season or beginning of the year courses; but NOT move-up courses for horses with no experience at their new level.” With a max height of 2’5″ for both stadium and XC, I have no doubt that May and I will have a fun weekend.
This is one of the stranger recognized events. Since we are so close to KY3DE, they run the XC on Sunday at Masterson Station Park ~15 minutes from the horse park. Either way, it will be fun to get out and do Dressage and SJ at the KY horse park and then see another Lexington venue for the XC.
May
I have no plans to show May in May…. sometimes I really regret giving her that name haha. Matt and I are traveling mid month, and my part leaser is going to take her out to get her feet wet. We are going to take the time to polish those SJ skills for BN.
June 9
Spring Run Schooling Trials
Level: Beginner Novice
Spring Run Farm used to run recognized horse trials. If you remember, it was this venue that we did starter out last year:
We might even get the chance to school here before the June competition. Either way, I had a ton of fun there last year, and I figured it’s legit enough to give us a sense of where we stand for a real BN competition.
June 21 – 23
Midsouth Pony Club Horse Trials
Level: Beginner Novice
We have one recognized BN event on our record, but I really think this is the year that we get back to that, at least. May feels great, she will have three events under her belt at three different venues before this event. In theory, it will only be 2″ higher than what we do this weekend. The goal would be to be schooling Novice height in lessons before getting to this event. 2 and a half months. Seems doable.
So here is where things start to kind of… divert. If Midsouth goes REALLY WELL, we might set our eyes on Novice. Below is that plan:
July 17
Flying Cross Farm Jumper Derby
Level: Novice
This is the same venue we rode at on Tuesday night. Its just down the street, and they do a jumper derby series on Wednesday nights throughout the season. Seems like a good place to get our feet wet.
“The Jumper Derby Series is a mixture of natural stadium jumps and cross country jumps. The competitor will go from an arena to open fields.”
August 18
Spring Run Schooling Trails
Level: Novice
It seems to make sense to go back to this venue to do our first full horse trial at Novice. It’s a big beefier than your typical schooling trial, but it is softer/more forgiving/not on May’s permanent record. >.<
And again, it’s a venue we can school at ahead of time. Win. Win.
September 13 – 15
Flying Cross Farm USEA Horse Trials
Level: Novice
Again, this is a venue that we will be intimately familiar with beforehand. Last year’s omnibus stated “Set on a horse farm so galloping through several paddock openings. Educational for all levels.” By this time of year, most of the events at the horse park are pushing the championship level courses, so this is the softest move up. That, coupled with our familiarity of the venue, should set us up for success.
If we don’t move up to Novice, I will skip this horse trial and aim for Hagyard MidSouth instead.
October 16-20
Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event and Team Challenge
Level: Beginner Novice
Let’s be honest, this is just a fun event with my teammates. However, it is most definitely NOT a move up course. The omnibus says: “All courses: Moderate to Challenging. Open rolling terrain. Good galloping courses with water, ditches & banks and combinations at all levels.” BUT if you read the link above, it is clearly described as “The cross-country courses can be quite strong – fair, but strong.”
By this point, however, we should be well prepared to rock it at BN.
[wpvideo SOqlS8uz]
Finally, there is one last schooling trial at Flying Cross at Novice in November. Honestly, I will probably be too burned out by that point to even think about it, but it is there if we decide to go for it.
What do you all think? I have never really had the opportunity to plan out a whole season like this. Do you all think it is doable? Do you try to plan out you season in advance too?
NOVICE!!!!!!!!! #fatheadgoals #icantwait #itsgonnahappen
Bahahahaha I already feel like I am getting ahead of myself. Buuuuut I think we can do it. At least at Flying Cross.
Sounds like a good plan to me! Always good to leave the options a little open depending on how things go. Novice seems totally doable for y’all!
Thanks! That’s the plan. Anything that is N can easily be rerouted as BN, and we will just be super prepared for Hagyard at the end of the season!
Thennnnnn, the plan maybe becomes a long format and AECs at BN in 2020 😉
YES long format! I can’t recommend that enough to everyone that hasn’t done it. So many lightbulbs. AEC’s I will probably never do again, but I’m glad I did it once just to see what the hype was about.
Yeah AECs are only on my calendar in 2020 because they would be at the KY horse park. If it was further away, I would skip it.
BUT THE LONG FORMAT WOULD BE AWESOME. hahaha
If they weren’t at the end of freaking August I would go this year, since we’re already qualified and I too would love to show at KHP, but my horse would literally die in the heat/humidity. Also it’s stupid freaking expensive… like i can do two weeks of Coconino for the same or less money. Fun atmosphere though, and a good bucket list type of experience. Someday I’d like to make it to one of the fall KHP events, when the weather is more suitable to my beast!
Yes! Hagyard Midsouth Team Challenge (in October) would be an awesome event for you and Henry. It’s super fun and a pretty big atmosphere for what is, really, just a regular horse trial.
I thought about that one! That or Jump Start, which I’ve heard is softer. I’m just usually broke by the fall, with our summer escapades lol. And at some point I want to do 2 weeks in Aiken or Ocala over the winter. Clearly I just need more money.
Story of my life hahaha
ohh i am so coming to AEC in 2020 if you go. 🙂 And i think you are very reasonable and smart to have a plan, another plan and a backup plan. Cause shit happens! But you and May have this. And I think you guys are amazing!! GO SUPER CORGI PONY GO! 🙂
Thank you! She has just felt so good lately, that an easier Novice seems super doable. And our backup plan is even something I would be excited to accomplish.
Sounds like a really great plan! And it’s nice to have a plan B all ready for action, just in case. Can’t wait to follow along!
Thank you! No matter what, I think it is going to be a really fun season
That sounds like an awesome plan! It’s so great that you get to plan a whole season of events – I completely think it’s doable for the two of you. I think you guys will knock it out of the park 😀 <3
Thank you! Trying not to put any pressure on us while still setting some pretty lofty Goals 🙂
Looks like a great set of shows to head out to!
Thanks! It should be fun either way.
Yay!
Can’t wait to hear about it. Good luck and have fun!
Thank you!! I shall keep everyone updated (for better or for worse) 🙂
This sounds amazing!! Plenty of room for fun and work 🙂 I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Thank you! Fingers crossed that everything goes to “plan”
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