It was looking like my goals were a bit out of reach and I was doing my best in keeping my hopes up for a productive show season. Now that the season is over, I am happy to report that most of my goals were, in fact, met. Despite my doubts, Chester and I held our own this past show season. Our list of 2009 accomplishments include:
- Amateur ROMs in English Showmanship, Western Showmanship, and Equitation (Pinto)
- Amateur ROM in Showmanship (Paint)
- Earning our Amateur Pinto Champion (!)
- Points in English Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Ideal Pinto, and Disciplined Rail
- Pointing out of Novice Equitation and English Pleasure
- Class wins in English Showmanship, Western Showmanship, Equitation, English Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, and Ideal Pinto
I'm still waiting to hear if we earned any year-end awards in NY Pinto. We didn't win any open classes, but we didn't enter any either. =) The funds were a bit limited, so we stuck to Amateur classes in 2009.
I'm in the process of thinking about goals for next year. I will most likely revise the list, but the "rough draft" includes:
- Finishing our Amateur ROMs in English Pleasure (we're just one point away), Hunter Under Saddle, Ideal Pinto, and Disciplined Rail
- Earning our Amateur Certificate of Ability (we're just one point away)
- Earning our Amateur Certificate of Acheivement (we're just two ROMs away)
- Possibly adding Western Horsemanship and Trail to our repertoire
The list is still short and I know that I will add more goals to the list as the 2010 show season approaches.
I've learned that writing down my goals inspires me to continue to push through the challenging and discouraging times. I've also learned that encountering tough times just makes me work that much harder to acheive my goals.
Chester and I are on a lighter training schedule now that show season is over for the year. I had a great session with him last night. He'll be seven in 2010 and he continues to mature in both his work ethic and his attitude. He's a hairy beast right now and enjoying some quality time outside with "his" mare and his round bale of hay. He has definitely earned some R and R this winter.
