I purposely did not set any goals for the year, as I find it is a waste of time for me. My directions change almost as often as my skivvies and life always seems to have a different plan for me. So long term goals are never a good idea for me.
I have however set a "short term" goal for myself.
There is another ASHA clinic on April 12, again at the location close to my house. This time it will be a different Clinician. His name is Dick Pieper and everything I read about him is flipping awesome! I had never heard of him before now, but then that doesn't mean much. It isn't like I have been following the competitive horse world for very long.
He has a bunch of on line video's which I can watch to kind of get a feel for the guy.
I would really like to be able to go to this clinic and not feel like a waste of the clinician's time. Not that I was a waste of time at the last clinic, but I/we sure weren't read for what was being taught there.
So with that in mind, here is my goal.
My goal is to have us doing respectful stops and roll backs by time we go to that clinic....at any speed. I don't mean big sliding stops, I just mean a proper stop, on the hind and not needing 3 or 4 steps to make it happen. I will also continue to work on those spins, although won't get too caught up in worrying about it.
They say that when you set a goal you also should oughta have an idea of what steps you intend to take to reach your goal. Well obviously the top of the list is to ride more.
So with that in mind I am going to pick 3 days a week where my job is to ride Trax. Everything else will have to be scheduled around it.
I think I will go with Tues, Thurs and Sunday.
I also am going to be determined to hit at least 1 (preferably 2) sortings either in my area or across town in that time. That gives me a month and a half to get some progress coming along.
Of course the one hang up is that TC has daughters coming to visit for 2 full weeks at the end of March. But because of my work schedule I won't be able to go with them as they are off sight seeing anyways, so maybe I won't lose too much time. Not to say that I don't enjoy it when they come, but they have no interest in horses...what...so....ever, so as you can guess they get bored with me pretty darn quickly. After all I do have a one track mind.
So that is my goal and my plan and today I am determined to make it happen. Now if I can just hang on to this determination. I don't think my goal is unrealistic. Is it?
On the other hand....he is one of the top reining trainers in the country, maybe I am out of league for this one.
Sounds like a realistic goal. Just don't fall into the "goal trap" where you start feeling like a failure if it isn't happening the way you thought it should.
ReplyDeleteYou're a better rider than you think you are. If you can find a way to take ownership of the skills you have, it will increase your confidence. That will translate into smoother rides and better communication with your horse because it will get "you" out of the way and let you focus on the horse. Easier said than done of course, but try to have some faith in yourself and let the goals take care of themselves. They will if you let them.
Thanks for that vote of confidence, I will try not to fall in the trap. :-)
DeleteSounds like a couple of reasonable goals to me. Getting a riding schedule is a good idea!
ReplyDeleteI've been working with Rosie on WHOA too. It's taking is some time. She doesn't like to move slower than a trot and stopping is kinda hard for her.
I think those are realistic goals and I think you will be well prepared by clinic time. Now that you have one clinic under your belt and have a feel for what's expected/going to take place, it will be easier to get prepared and it won't all be so overwhelming. :-). BTW...I still think you did a good job at the 1st clinic. You had no idea of what to expect and you didn't pull out. You stayed right in there and tried hard.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if you follow this blog, but I just read this post and thought you would like it. I think she really nailed it:
ReplyDeletehttp://annablakeblog.com/2014/01/31/do-you-ride-like-your-mother/
Clinics are the best way to focus on improving your horsemanship. Clinicians don't expect you to be perfect, only to be willing to improve. You are lucky to get a Dick Peiper clinic!
ReplyDeleteAwesome plan. It sounds like a good clinic to go to and you have plenty of time to prepare. As you get Trax softer, quieter and moving like he should, everything will improve and you will be ready for whatever the clinicians has to offer.
ReplyDeleteI agree with BEC's about the last clinic. You didn't quit, even if it didn't feel like you were completely ready. You showed up, which is more than a lot of people might have done. You're willing to learn and that puts you way ahead of the game as far as improvements go.
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ReplyDeleteI just had a look at Dick Piepers website. Playgun has me hooked. Of all of the cutting horse sires listed in the Chatter magazine, I have always liked that horse.
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