December 26, 2013

2014 Goals

I am so excited to write this post! I'm still pretty green to this whole owning a sport horse pony thing, and so the last two years my goals have been more vague dreams than concrete goals.  I didn't know what Connor would be capable of, or how fast he would progress, and that made goal setting hard.  Two years in, I know how to set concrete goals that will make us reach and give us something to work for while still being attainable.

1. Show First Level Dressage
I thought this would be a reach, but my trainer gave me an emphatic "Oh yeah, you'll get there this year."  Even if this occurs on the last day of 2014 at a schooling show, I'll be happy.

Baby Dressagin', 2012


2. Go Beginner Novice
So much goes into this - jumping higher, schooling XC more, learning the new 2014 Dressage tests, buying hind boots, but we're ready to move into legitimate eventing territory.  We'll go starter for one event before moving up.

Make those jumps bigger, the Cob Jockey team isn't afraid of flowers anymore!


3. National Dressage Pony Cup - Training Level (and also show at the KHP for the first time)
This is my big goal for 2014!  It's a ponies-only Dressage competition held at the KHP in conjunction with MSEDA in September, and Connor's full sister has done really well in it for multiple years now.  For AA Training Level, we would show Training test 2 and 3, which means I'll spend the spring and summer focusing on cleaning up the basics of our Dressage - better figures, better transitions, more accurate riding - and that can only help everything else.  I would like to be showing Training and schooling First most of the year.

(We should make it a full-sibling party - Nicole, you and Comrade should come too!)

Connor's full sister cleaning up at the NDPC a few years ago.


It's going to be a Dressagey year for us, and my Dressage-focused eventing trainer is totally on-board.  We've seen that better Dressage means better jumping for us, and better Dressage + better jumping = finishing on your Dressage score in eventing.

30 comments:

  1. Ooooo Pony Cup!!! That would be cool!!! :) Great goals!

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  2. Great list, they are challenging but totally attainable. Go team Cob Jockey!

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    1. Thanks. :) Nice to have a vote of confidence!

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    1. Thanks! Maybe in a few years you and Tarra can come for an extended visit and we can all ride ponies in the NDPC together :)

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  4. I was super nervous before showing 1st level the first time thinking that we were so not ready, etc but it is so not case and we came home with a 72 % or something. You guys will do great! And im super jealous you guys are going to go to National Dressage Pony Cup!

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    1. That makes me feel a lot better, thanks! We're like 1.5-2 years behind you, you're blazing the trails! You and Alanna need to come out for a week or something when Emi is older and show in it with me!

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  5. How high can they stick to enter the pony cup? My pony is 14.2 and a smidgle so she's FEI compatible but not hunter pony compatible

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    1. I'm not sure, they have to have a USEF pony card or be a native pony breed of any height. You should do it if you can!

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  6. Great goals Jen. You're sure to be a star! The picture of Delight(Connor's full sister) was for training level. Last year she was Ch at third level. How fun to have a repeat for Castleberry! I'm planning to be there to cheer you and all the ponies on. I agree that Nicole should think about bringing Comrade, too! Here's to 2014!

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    1. Here's to 2014 indeed! We should get Chris to bring Tristan and PJ and Tara to bring Cadence. What a picture that would be!

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  7. Yay! Those are exciting goals. Hm, I would have to think about bringing Comrade. Would be fun though.

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    1. It would be. Three full siblings in the same show, if Delight does it again!

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  8. So excited to see what 2014 brings for team Connor! Would love to go watch you two kick Pony butt at KHP!

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    1. Yay! I thought of you, you're one of the reasons I want to show at KHP!

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  9. Woohoo! It sounds like you've made some great goals for next year, which is so exciting!

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  10. Great goals to aim towards...good luck in 2014!

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