Big Goals

I'm bad and spent my long weekend far away from the barn. Luckily, there are some super keen teenagers happy to ride Bridget in my absence. I'm spoiled and don't have to come back to a super crazy pony if I take a long weekend here and there! Midge was a little up and spooky, but just as Jen finds with her Welsh Cob Connor, even on the worst days you never really feel like there's much danger of coming off. I still manage it sometimes, of course, because I'm amazing like that, but it's not high on my list of worries like it would be getting on a larger, more athletic horse.

We were scheduled for dressage, but with the higher than average energy levels Midge had, we opted to jump instead. I'm so happy we did, because it went super well. We jumped full courses from our new jumping canter and it just felt good. I felt like I was very solid in my position too, which is probably still due to our intense lesson last week. I remembered to ride positively and Midge met me halfway, so much fun was had.  EC talked me into taking a day off work next week for a xc clinic in Vancouver, see how positive I was feeling? :)

Yay, more of this!

 We discussed an event schedule for the remainder of the year. Dressage wise, we're doing First level in the fall, but the summer will be more about jumping and eventing with a couple of jumper shows, that xc clinic, and two events on the schedule. Then, EC had a moment of insanity inspired genius: "You've said Rebecca Farm is your dream event. Why are you not setting that as a goal with Bridget?" I laughed...because, well, Bridget?! In my mind, I envisioned some day in the future taking something a little more...thoroughbred-y?

Midge is skeptical

She's pushing for me to aim for the Novice Three Day next year. It will take at least a year of serious dedication to get my drafty pony fit enough.

Baseline fitness...sleeping in canter position not the same as cantering

 Challenge accepted. Because, steeplechasing. Also, because why not? Even if it doesn't come to fruition, an increased focus on horse and rider fitness can only help and I love the idea of learning how to prep a horse and compete in a long format.

View from my ferry commute home...and gives you an idea of how difficult it is to find a flat piece of land to do any sort of gallop set on.

In addition to our regularly scheduled programming, here's the remainder of our summer/fall schedule:

July 13: XC clinic at Campbell Valley
July 19-24: Vacation time at Rebecca Farm
Aug 12-14: Campbell Valley Event
Sept 17: Local jumper show
Sept 24: Local dressage show
Oct 1/2: MREC Horse Trials
Nov: Southlands Dressage and MREC 2 Phase

Come say hi if you're attending any of the above :)