Setting Goals

Since I've bought Andy, I've been pretty much just riding aimlessly. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I think it's high time that I set some goals and begin to ride with a purpose. I have the entry form for a nearby dressage schooling show in November that I am about to send it. That gives me a pretty good goal- being ready to ride a training level test by mid-November. So now, instead of just 1 hour of walk/trot/canter when I ride, it's an hour of w/t/c AND schooling- halts, transitions, bending, straightness, collection, being on frame, etc. This is hard work! But I'm really committed to riding this test well.

I've been taking hunt seat lessons with a new trainer for the past month, which is helping me tremendously with my own riding and eventual goal of eventing, but it hasn't helped me so much in my Andy issues- mainly rushing through the bit in a choppy, fast gate. I've decided to start training with the dressage trainer that comes to my barn twice a week. Which means that I will be spending a lot of money on lessons this year, but I feel that it is such a good investment in the rest of my life and riding, that I will gladly pay $300 a month for lessons. Ack, writing it out makes is sound like so much!

In other news, I GOT A TRAILER! Hallelujah! Now I never have to depend on anyone to move my horses. What a load off my shoulders. Not to mention, hello beach rides, trail rides, and lots of shows!