December 31, 2018

One Last Look Back at 2018

2018 was a year unlike any other for me and Connor.  I backed off of showing.  I poured myself into getting our fundamentals correct.  I admitted I had no idea what I was doing at this level, and I sought to learn.  I cried.  I committed to achieving non-horse goals, like paying off debt.  And hey, while we're at it, I landed a fantastic job at my dream employer.

All photos in this post courtesy of Austen

I'm not going to pretend this was an easy year.  It wasn't.  But looking back on it, I feel confident that every decision I made this year was the right one.  And that those decisions are collectively starting to pay off.

Seriously not sure I've ever seen this much butt engagement out of him at the canter before.  At least in pictures.

(Side note: this part of the indoor previously housed temporary stalls, so the fluffy white stuff is some new, not-quite-totally-mixed-in-yet TruTex.  It won't look like that forever.)

This time last year, I didn't feel ready for a full season at Second.  I couldn't really articulate why, which is part of the reason I struggled so much the first part of the year.  But I knew we needed to back off and fix some fundamentals to be successful in the long term. 

I did scrape together a 60.000% at 2-1 in July of 2017 so I definitely could've done it in 2018, but I don't want to scrape by just to check the "Second Level" box off the list.  I'm doing this to learn, so that even if Connor and I don't make it to GP, I'll have a solid education to bring my next one along with.  And hey, if we do make it, that's awesome.  Either way, we're going up the levels at our speed.

20 minutes later, goofing off.  This is how Connor would PREFER we canter...

So as I look to 2019, it's a big change to feel ready to show at Second.  To be looking at budgeting for a show season again.  To be thinking through what exactly needs polish before we can go after our Second Level Bronze scores.



Here's to surviving 2018 - in a lot of ways, I can say "I'm glad I went through it, but I'm so glad it's over!"  And here's to continued progress and lots of fun in 2019.

11 comments:

  1. pics look great - love that first shot and the canter pic! here's hoping for 2018 serving as the perfect springboard into an exciting and happy 2019 ;)

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    1. She did an awesome job with the pics, I am so happy to have photos like that. Thanks!

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  2. That first picture is just awesome! As I've said before, you and Connor are inspiration for me - and I'm excited to hear all about your journey in 2019 :)

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    1. Yeah! That was one of my favorites from the shoot.

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  3. Connor is looking incredibly super sexy -- I have no doubt that 2019 has many wonderful rides in store for you both!

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  4. As always, I've loved following your journey this year. I have no doubt you'll be hitting those second level goals in 2019 :)

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    1. Thanks! I love following yours too. Thanks for letting us ride along with Sophie and B!

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  5. I like your mindset -- it's not just about ticking boxes at a level, it's about truly learning things inside and out so that you can not only bring out the best in Connor, but that down the line you can do it again. I have no doubt you will shine in 2019!

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  6. Wait you got your new job this year? it seriously feels like ages ago.. what a year.

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    1. I know, right? I changed jobs in August of 2015 (the job that took me out to see you) and then I changed jobs again in March of 2018.

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