I can’t leave the house today because my old health insurance ran out yesterday… and the new health insurance doesn’t kick in until the first of the year. With my luck, I would end up getting in car accident on today of all days, so in my housebound boredom – plus the fact that it’s about to be a new year – I thought now would be a good time to write about some of my riding goals!
2015 Q1 Short Term Goals
things to accomplish over the first quarter of the year (January-March)
- RELEASE OVER FENCES!
I was watching the video from my last lesson and I noticed that I was… not really releasing at all. This is a problem I had back when I was in high school – four or five years ago – but apparently, with the break… it’s come back. Last time we fixed it by having someone yell “RELEASE!” at me every time I went over a jump. Hopefully this time it won’t take quite that much! 😉
- Start exercising
We all know that riding is a pretty physically demanding sport. Most pros have a fitness regime beyond just riding. I need to get on this. When I was a kid and a teenager, I never needed to exercise – riding alone kept me fit. But my body has changed (boo), and this is no longer the case. Kelsey and I are planning on signing up for a kickboxing or martial arts class together, which I’m particularly gunning for since my job likes to put me in not-so-safe locations at all times of night, and I am a very small person. I’ve also been looking at a lot of pilates/yoga for equestrians exercises online so I might be trying out those too!
- Post more without stirrups
Because who doesn’t love being in pain? I have what is commonly referred to as a ‘leg of steel’ as well as a ‘great seat’ so sitting the trot either with or without stirrups is not generally difficult. Posting? That’s another matter entirely. I really want to build up more strength in my legs and this is a great way to do that.
- Be able to hold two-point for longer
I’m not sure how I’m quantifying longer – laps around the arena? Minutes? I don’t know, but I’d like to get better at this. Again, who doesn’t love being in pain? (Hint: it’s me. But I’m willing to make the sacrifice.) Hopefully this will be another way I can build strength as well as balance.
2015 Long Term Goals
things to accomplish over the course of the year
- Be able to ride more than once a week
This is going to be difficult for obvious (read: financial) reasons, but I’m feeling pretty good about being able to do this at some point in the next twelve months. After such a long break I had almost forgotten just how much I love horses – not even riding, just being in the barn, really. Now that I’m back, getting out more is pretty much all I can think about!
- Maintain riding fitness
This one’s pretty obvious. It’s no use getting into shape if I’m not going to stay there. It’s going to be hard while I’m only riding once a week, but I’m hoping I can be diligent. Unfortunately, I might actually be the literal laziest person in the world, especially when it comes to exercising, so I think this goal is probably going to be the most difficult.
- Get my auto release back
The last few months I was at university I was developing an auto release – and it was amazing. Auto releases change everything, if you have the balance to do it. But I don’t right now. In fact, as mentioned above, I appear to not really have a release at all right now. I think that a year is a long enough timeframe that hopefully I will have the strength and balance to get this back.
- Attend or audit a clinic
Because learning never stops!
What are your goals for riding, both short and long term? I’d love to hear about them – maybe they’ll give me some ideas!
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