Smell ya later 2012



Winter wonderland poneh

 Hampton has spend the final week and a half of 2012 enjoying some time off. I have been busy with holidays and work, and the girl who is leasing him has also been on vacation. We have done a few sessions of long-lining - which has been really good for him. But unfortunately everything on the farm has been snowed on and frozen over so there is no safe place to ride at the moment. Some places are ok to walk and trot but seeing as how my horse is not the most sure-footed creature on the planet, I'm not going to risk it.

I am going to try and drag the area tomorrow and see if I can turn into something appropriate to ride on. We have TWO lessons coming up - one with Alex Gerding and another with Dorothy Crowell .. so, you know, I should probably ride the beast a couple of times before then. It is not even that cold here (hovering around 35 which in my book is totally tolerable to ride in), but the ground it just crappy.

In other news, here are some goals for 2013.

• Show First and Second Level. Hit up at least 1 rated show, hopefully more.
• Earn scores toward USDF Bronze Medal
• Lessons, lessons, lessons
• FHF adult dressage camp
• Participate in 2 or 3 mini horse trials. Possibly move up to Beginner Novice during the summer.
• Qualify for USDF regionals? If so, attend them.
• Start saving $$ for a new dressage saddle.
• By late fall, start schooling more solid 3rd level.



weee. Blown-out Hamper photo

 I debated applying for Event Camp as LAZ's place. I thought about this long and hard. But I decided not to do it. It's very expensive and to be totally honest ... and I think this shows through this blog ... eventing is not where my heart is. I love dressage and I dabble in eventing because it is good for Hampton and also good for me to get out of the sandbox and do something different. I would rather take that money and go to FHF dressage camp, or to a clinic or even a show. Or a new saddle. :)

I am not quitting eventing. I enjoy the little mini trials we do, but I doubt I enter a rated trial or anything like that. I will continue to event at the level which is fun and safe for me. I realize we are "ready" to move up. But past Beginner Novice is no longer fun for me, it is nervewracking and I'd just rather not. We have escaped with zero bad experiences so far, pretty much by pure luck, and I don't want to overface either of us. Ever.

2013 will be about building strength in our dressage with a goal of 3rd level in late 2014. I suspect we may get "stuck" at 2nd/3rd level for a year or two. He needs to build strength and I need more education. But the ultimate goal is PSG with Hampton. I also have no doubt he can learn all the Grand Prix. He may not be competitive (maybe on a local level, but certainly not national). In order to acheive this, I have to invest in education because let's face it: I have no clue.

Question for you all: Is there anything you'd like to read more about in 2013? Anything you'd like to know about Hampton? Or anything in general? within reason? :)

Also,

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my blog readers.



Last ride of 2012.