I knew going into the year that I was unlikely to accomplish many of my goals due to life changes. I tried to balance that by making some vague and open-ended sorts of goals, but I didn’t accomplish many of those either.
Nilla
✓ Have a successful training period with Laura
X I’d like to try to lesson with Laura at least once a month during Nilla’s training
X Compete at BN (schooling shows only)
✓ Find a dressage saddle that actually fits Nilla
Nilla’s training went really well. I didn’t quite manage to get out there every month due to rain ruining things, but I did manage a few lessons with Laura. We were on track to compete at BN before Nilla’s injury.
Levi
X Stay sane and not be ruined by me or anyone else riding him
X Improve fitness enough to do an endurance ride
✓ Do some schooling shows to continue his exposure
Other Equestrian Goals
X Go horse camping as much as possible
✓ Meet more fellow bloggers
✓ Do more clinics or find a jumping/ XC trainer to work with
✓ Go to more new places (campgrounds, shows, parks)
✓ Continue to expand horizons and try something new (maybe WE or mounted archery)
X Have happy, healthy horses
We did some camping at shows, but not very much real horse camping at parks. We met up with quite a few bloggers this year. We went to a ton of clinics and a bunch of new show venues. We did cattle sorting with our horses for the first time and I would really like to do it again. Since we’re ending the year with only 1 out of 4 horses fully functioning, I’m not calling that goal achieved. Of course Shasta’s really as good as she’s ever going to be so maybe 2/4? Still not doing too well. Nilla is on the mend though and Levi should be fixable. Hopefully 2018 will be more successful in that regard.
At least one of our horses is doing well
Non Equestrian Goals
X Lose weight. I accomplished a little last year, but still need to do more.
✓/X Find a new job.
X If I’m really lucky, find a new home.
Totally didn’t accomplish any of these things. I did get a job, but it’s a job I had years ago so that’s like a 1/2 ✓ mark. 2018 was always the real plan for moving; it was a stretch goal to get out of California early.
Despite not accomplishing all of the original goals, we had a pretty fantastic year. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2018 brings.
You actually did quite a lot- sometimes circumstances interfere with goals. Good luck in moving out of California. 🙂
We did a lot more than I thought we would. I just never know where the year is going to go in January.
That’s what makes goal setting so tricky – all the unmet goals don’t really tell the full story of all the awesome things you got up to with your horses this year. Hopefully everyone comes sound soon and you can start planning for 2018!
Exactly. It’s not like the year wasn’t awesome and very full, we just went on a different path.
Looks to me like you accomplished a fair amount!!
We got a lot done, just different things.
Looking forward to seeing what 2018 brings! Thanks for a great year of reads!
Me too!
I am hoping your 2018 is fantastic, Levi gets his brain back, Eugene continues to get better and better and Nilla and Shasta are comfy. 🙂 I hope you get back to riding Nilla since I enjoy photos of that gorgeous mule 🙂 Happy New Year!!
Spoiler: I’ve already ridden the mule. And she was a nightmare. Rehab is gonna be so fun.
Definitely a rough year on the soundness front for you guys, but you did get to do a lot of fun things. Maybe Levi’s naughtiness stemmed from whatever his unsoundness is. Baby Badger definitely acted like a big jerk instead of just letting us know he was sore. Hopefully you’ll have the well mannered (and sound) Levi back soon!
It’s very possible his comfort was affecting his sanity, but I think some of it was just him getting to a point where things were actually challenging and not wanting to deal with that.
You knocked off quite a few things off your list!