2009 Reflections and 2010 Goals

2009 was an incredible year. We went to 5 different events and qualified for the AECs our very first year at beginner novice. Our lowest dressage score at an event to date is a 33.7, which we achieved at Briar Fox, also the event where we got our best placing to date: 3rd! Although we placed abysmally at the AECs, it was a fantastic experience and my riding was anything but abysmal that weekend. Overall, it was a wild, fantastic ride. My only goal was going to the AECs, and I am beyond glad that we accomplished that. We were so ready for that show, and my only regrets are about our cross country round. I would love to have a second chance at that course. Since that's not a possibility, I'll just have to go again next year! :)

So, for 2010, our goals are:

Complete our first novice

Get rid of my dressage nerves

Get our very first 1st place win at a horse trial

Start doing real conditioning with Val

Fine-tune jumping/galloping positions

Do First Level Test I at a recognized dressage show

Do all the "scary" jumps- size appropriate trakehners, ditches, ditch and brush; bigger downbanks...

Have a tri-fecta show- do the best we can do in all three phases!

And, maybe, go to the AECs?

I'm really unsure about that last one. The AEC course for beginner novice was definitely a challenge- max height, interesting jump combos, interesting turns, a technically illegal mini-coffin... but, fortunately, we were ready. The novice course there was definitely something I would not have been able to do. I don't know if we'll have enough experience at novice and be comfortable enough at that level to go to a championship-level show this year. Heck, we might not even be able to qualify! So, I have no idea what will happen. My main goal for this year is to get everything to come together- I want to have at least one show were we do the best we can do in all three phases. I'm more concerned about that than anything else.

So, happy 2010, everyone!