I toyed with making goals when I started blogging in August of 2014. This taught me that I am not really a goal-oriented person. I didn’t realize that, until I tried making goals and found that goals fail to motivate me. Or I fail at goals, whichever color you like. Goals are also dicey when it comes to horses because there is so much I simply have no control over.
None of this means there aren’t things I still want to do or would like to accomplish. So I am calling this a 2017 to-do list. Some things on the list depend on time and budget, some depend on a sound and healthy horse, some depend solely on me. And knowing all this, even if I accomplish none of this it doesn’t mean failure to me. Just getting to ride my pony is success.
So here’s my to-do list for me and Eli:
1. PLAN & EXECUTE. This goes primarily for riding courses. I tend to ride in the moment a lot and that alone is not super effective. Eli also prefers it when I have a plan and follow through with it, rather than change my mind six times in the space of three strides out from a fence. Deciding stuff in advance makes for much better course work.
2. 6 shows. We did 3 in 2016. I will plan for 6, knowing that a few, or even all, might fall by the wayside for various reasons.
3. Maybe a clinic? This is a very tentative idea that I am not 100% sold on for me & Eli, but it’s a nice thought. There are only a handful of clinicians I’d be interested in riding with or auditing.
4. Refresh tack & attire. Eli’s bridles and bits are in good shape. He has all the BoT he can use. I have plenty of gloves and breeches (could use one more white pair of breeches but it’s not totally necessary). This refresh is strictly for new brown tall boots for me, a few more baby pads from Ogilvy, and a new set of sheepskin-lined open front and fetlock boots for Eli. This refresh is also obviously solely about money and budget and is therefore last and least important on this list. I should really stop buying all the cute things.
The list is brief and totally do-able. Number 1 will be the most challenging and is the most important to me to accomplish. I am enjoying reading everyone else’s much more ambitious posts about setting goals for 2017!
If your looking for an enabler: I purchased three sets of dsb boots via the many sales at Riding Warehouse, between Thanksgiving and yesterday. Protect those legs!
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I am still trying not to buy the majyk equipe dressage boots from RW …
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Just riding is the success! That is my focus and my main goal or item on my list. New saddle pad is on the way…..
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Nothing beats time in the saddle, so even just making it happen is a win.
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It’s good that you know yourself regarding goals/not goals. This is a good To-do list!
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I think when I was younger and more driven it made sense but now I’m in my low key phase.
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To do list, the best way to word it.
I am the same way about goals! Specially with horses.
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No idea why “list” makes it easier to act on than “goals” other than the level of pressure I put on myself, I guess? Horses always have surprises for us anyway.
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I think that is why it is easier? Goals and resolutions seem so…..I dunno, cut in stone in a way?
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I also like the idea of a to-do list rather than goals. But I think you forgot one: 5. STYLE: Keep coming up with cute combos of breeches, tops, belts, and boots. How many combinations can you make??
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That is a huge oversight on my part and is most definitely on my to-do list!
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I completely support refreshing tack and attire. Constantly.
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Yeah …. same. Trying to stay focused on specifics, but not ruling out spending on serendipitous sales.
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I recently got called out on not making goals. Harsh.
I hope your goals bring you to a show in Houston 😆
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Hmmm that is harsh! I don’t see goals as a necessity for success. I would love to make it to Houston, maybe a schooling show because the ones there are pretty nice!
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I like the idea of a “to do” list instead of goals. It makes it… less intimidating?
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Maybe that’s it?
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Those boots look interesting!
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Right? I am really curious
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I also suck at goals
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The are slightly unnecessary
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