So...last October, shortly after moving the Syd out to Salem Equestrian Center, I put forth some very specific goals for myself, the number one goal being to qualify and compete in the 2011 American Eventing Championships at Beginner Novice. WE DID THAT! YAY! Now what?! I'm a very goal oriented person. (It's the Type A in my personality!) I definitely function best when I have something I'm aiming for. So what's next?
As far as my riding goes, I'm not sure...I have some ideas, but I'm not quite ready to throw them out there for all the world to see just yet. I do know this: My utterly disastrous weekend at Greenwood Horse Trials, which also happened to be Area V Regional Championships, definitely put a few things in perspective. I'll tell you one thing that FOR SURE will NOT be happening anytime in the near future: a move up to Novice. The Syd might be ready, but the rider is NOT.
For the immediate future what I really need to focus on is building my business. The economy is bad, retail is tough, and I want to be the next Dover Saddlery, Dressage Extensions and Bit of Britain all rolled into one, only more friendly and fun to work with and buy tack from!!! That isn't going to happen without a lot of blood, sweat and tears on my part! Now that my riding is at least headed in the right direction, time to get the store headed that way as well. That means growth! Major growth! So, for now, Lead Changes gets to be the primary focus of my attention. Have no fear! The Sydder is still number one in my book. He wouldn't have it any other way! I'm just gonna take a little step back from showing and sell some serious tack. Having said that, I am sure some of you have noticed that my name is suspiciously missing from Holly Hill Horse Trials' competitor's list. Well, that's because I'm not showing. I AM however taking my store. I just decided it would be too much to try and compete and set up shop (especially after Greenwood.) I'll be there cheering on all my peeps (my very favorite thing!) selling tack and even doing a little volunteering, which you all know is very near and dear to my heart. So if you're down in Louisiana next weekend, be sure you stop by the Lead Changes tent and say, "Hi!" And in the meantime, I'll be pondering on what my next blog should be about and what my next goals are for my riding. Until then, be safe, WEAR YOUR HELMET! And Happy Riding!
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Michelle,
ReplyDeleteAim for AECs again for 2012!! How else am I going to see you again? Do it again BN and take home a ribbon this time! You've got plenty of time to ride and qualify after the holiday season. If you were trying to run your store and compete at the Regional Championships, that just true insanity and not even between the flags! I think you're smart to only try and do one or the other per weekend. As to ways to be unique in tack, I am always on the lookout for the perfect browband. Henry has a really big head (needs a 17" browband) and it's a way to be distinctive. So far I have two kinds of browbands, those that fit him and those that look good... (but not both at the same time). So if you get any cool ones in, let me know! hugs, Briana