Sunday, April 6, 2014

Decisions, Decisions


Suki Free Jumping 4' Winter 2014
Working toward a solid foundation with flexibility

IIt seems sort of strange to be creating a rough outline of my season when I have been recuperating from hand surgery for the past four weeks.  In other words, I have not ridden since February, per order of my surgeon.  And yes, I listened, if for no other reason than I didn’t want to have surgery a second time if the screws snapped before the bone fused. 

Anyway, here I am, finally able to type without some ridiculous brace on my hand, and I am doing what any good eventer does… dreaming of the first Opening Day of my season!

Which, retrospectively, might actually be the second opening day of my season.  I have been fixated on Suki’s recognized début, which I hope to have at GMHA’s June event; this assumes, 1. we are ready, and 2. we get in.  The first opening day will more likely be Hitching Post’s Schooling Horse Trials.  This is all a big change from the 15–mile Mud Ride I wanted to start the season off with, that is, until I realized I wouldn’t be reevaluated to ride until 11 days before.  

Then, there is where to go after that!  For me, that depends a lot on how GMHA goes.  I have dreams of where my season will go; but, they depend a on how things start out.  Eventing a young horse must be done carefully, building success upon success.  It is best to build in room for error and time for reevaluation; considering what is done now builds a base for seasons to come.  So, I do not know what I will do after GMHA.  I have my eye on the entire season, mixing in some schooling events, working with my trainers, and trying to move up to Novice at some point.  What I do know about the season is that it is subject to change and no decision is final, at least not until we commit to a fence.