I think it’s close enough to the end of the year where we can officially call it. Pretty sure we can all agree that we’re ready for this dumpster fire of a year to be over anyway, right? Let’s usher it on out by taking a look at how Henry and I did with our 2016 goals.
Qualify for a Novice 3-Day – We did it in our first recognized show of the year at Holly Hill!
Compete in a N3D – It took a lot of budgeting, but we made it to Flagstaff, AZ to run the Novice 3 Day at Coconino. Cross Country day was the most fun I’ve ever had on a horse in my life. 100% worth it.
Place at N3D – This one we did not do, and it’s no one’s fault but my own. A couple of small mistakes (one in dressage and one in stadium) cost me a ribbon here. Henry was super though, so although I was super disappointed in myself, I had to let it go.
Move up to Training – This one isn’t so clear cut. Henry ran two Trainings with my trainer (placing 1st at one and 4th at the other, with double clear XC at both because Henny), and I did a Training derby (we won our first TIP award!) and Combined Test with him. We signed up for a recognized Training in the fall but ended up having to scratch due to a minor injury. Now we’re slated to run our first Training HT together in January. Maybe 3/4 credit on this one?
Make an actual 15m circle – Not that my 15m circles are perfect by any means, but what was a major struggle a year ago is nbd now. Proper bend is amazing.
Go to at least one dressage-only show – Yeaaaaaaah no, sorry DQ’s. Technically I did try this, I sent an entry in to a dressage only show that said they’d let you do USEA tests, but then the organizer called me and said they in fact weren’t offering that anymore. I don’t have room in my brain for more tests, so no.
Keep Henry happy and healthy – Despite my best efforts, he kicked a fence in turnout and had a teeny tiny fracture that relegated him to aquatherapy for six weeks and caused us to miss the whole fall season. Really he’s been quite spoiled this year, between rehab and acupuncture and chiro and massage… I’ve spent a fortune trying to keep him happy and healthy. Go figure that he takes himself out by kicking a damn fence. This one was out of my hands.
Get a 4-legged bun in the oven – Due March 17, 2017!
Get the trailer 100% road-worthy – After some new tires, new walls, new pads, some roof work, and a paint job, Betty White was my leading lady this year for sure. I can’t even imagine life without a trailer anymore. I’d be screwed.
Success Rate: 64%. Ouch.
Be more fit – I actually did this for once! I’m running regularly now and have a half marathon planned for January.
Be better about budgeting – I mean… I’m not destitute yet, so? For real though, I’ve made progress this year, despite some huge expenses (ahem new saddle). I managed to make the two week trip to Coconino work, Henry got to spend some time at the spa, and I didn’t go into debt over it. I think I’m getting a little better at balancing all of this and figuring out how to make my plans fit into my budget.
Buy a truck – My car died right around New Years, so I finally got my upgrade. She’s not fancy by any means, but she is a super important piece of my puzzle and I love her to bits.
Do a little better about balancing horse stuff with real life – I think I was better at this than normal. Probably because Henry was out for most of the fall and I had no other choice. Whatever, still counting it. I will say, at some point I should probably take a “vacation” that isn’t horse related. My only trips this year were Flagstaff for shows, Philly for AETA, and Maryland for the Fair Hill YEH Championships. Which… to me all of that sounds amazing but I suppose at some point there should be non-horse vacation? Like… with the SO? Meh.
Get another tattoo – My dad and I got tattoos together, because we’re cool like that.
Live boldly – I feel like, for the most part, I went out and did the things I wanted to do, even if I was intimidated by it or if it seemed impossible, so I’m giving myself the green here. As far as the blog goes, I’m still over here trying my best to keep it open and honest and real. That will hopefully never change.
Success Rate: 100%. Obviously I didn’t aim high enough.
Even though our fall season didn’t go as planned, we still did a lot this year. Ok, maybe not in the way of recognized shows (we only did TWO!) but we did everything from indoor eventing to a jumper show to a long-ass road trip. More importantly, we learned a lot. Training looked borderline deadly at the beginning of the year, and now it looks totally do-able. Henry is a lot more well-trained and our partnership has only gotten stronger. More importantly, I think we both had a lot of fun. It might have had it’s ups and downs, but overall I think it was a pretty good year for us.
Thanks to all the people and companies that have supported us, followed along, and provided encouragement… you are more valuable to us than you know. On to 2017!
breedrideevent.com 
Love your goal write up. You guys shot for the stars in a million directions, and got 64% of the way there in the horse goals. That’s crazy! The difference between Henry’s view of his job and role in the world is drastically different to now. Really impressive!
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He really grew up a lot this year… he seems like he crossed from a greenish horse to a real horse!
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i really like the color coding on this. and I feel like some of your horsie goals were pooped on because horses are dumb. Like I don’t think you failed on keeping henry happy and healthy. I mean at least he HAS a turnout with a fence to kick and feels good enough from your alternative therapies to fuck himself up.
Positive spin.
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I learned a lot about goal-setting, at least. We won’t be seeing that one worded quite that way anymore! lol
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Tell Henry if he wants to do better than 64%, breaking yourself is strictly not allowed!
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For freaking real.
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I think you should give yourself the Keep Henry Happy and Healthy goal. It’s not your fault he kicked a dang fence! But when he did, you figured out that there was a problem and did everything to make sure he healed up, stayed fit and had the best care. I’d say that counts!
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I thought about giving myself half credit for effort, but then I figured I really should have just been smart enough to word it differently. Lesson learned for 2017. 😉
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You had a great year, it was really fun to follow along! Are you going to Coconio again next year?
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No, I don’t think so. If I go back I’d like to run the T3D, and I don’t have the money to spend all spring getting my qualifiers (nor do I really have the balls at that level yet). Plus I’d kind of like to eeeeaaaase my way into Training level and not put a lot of pressure on us. So I think 2017 is going to be more schooling shows and trying to just build confidence at the new level, then maybe in 2018 we’ll set our sights on more serious things. I’d actually like to try to qualify for AEC when it’s in Colorado in 2018. No interest in AEC at Tryon, but Colorado would be fun!
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That makes sense, a building year. Still sounds fun!
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That’s sounds like a good plan! Curious as to why you don’t want to go to Tryon, tho, now that it’s the New Great Thing?
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If I wanted to spend a lot of money to be wined and dined with a swanky multi million dollar facility, I’d have stayed in h/j land. 😉 That’s a pretty long haul for me for what is essentially a glorified derby XC course. If/when they ever expand it to something that feels more authentic, maybe I’ll reconsider. For now, there’s just nothing about it that appeals to me. I like eventing for what it is, I don’t need it to be morphed into something it’s not. I am hoping that even though Colorado HP was purchased by the same group that they’ll leave the existing XC pretty well alone. If not, well, I’ll stick to venues like Coconino when I want to venture out of my Area. The other factor: Tryon is way too hot at the end of August for my horse (who does not handle heat + humidity very well).
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64% is definitely a qualifying score in my book. congrats on an awesome year with Henry. he’s a cool horse and really seems to be blossoming. to me, the sign of a job well done is a horse who is happy and effortless in his work, and that definitely seems to be the case with Henry
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I really think he’s grown so much this year. The summer was so incredibly good for his confidence… he no longer seems like a horse that is trying to event, he’s a legit event horse that understands the game. THAT is the exciting part. If that’s all we really accomplished this year, that alone is enough.
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Love it!! Can’t wait to see what 2017 brings you. 🙂
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Me too!
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Way to go! I agree that the long format is the best. I would keep doing them and try for one at Prelim if they offered them anywhere near me. We’re shooting for AECs at Colorado as well. Hopefully we will see you there!
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you had a great year!
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pretty solid year! Baby horse on the way, training happening soon… I’m already excited for your 2017!
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