Cob Jockey: 2013 Goals

January 2, 2013

2013 Goals

To borrow a line from my high school cross-country (running) teammate and friend Robyn, (she's an ultrarunner with a cool blog - non-horsey, but highly recommended):

A goal properly set is halfway reached. – Zig Ziglar

It’s Day 1 of 2013 and time to set SMART goals. If you’re in the corporate world, you might recognize it. In case you’re not familiar, SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-sensitive. As much as I hate to admit to it, it’s a decent approach to ticking off goals.

I also teach a class at my gym and I'm regularly encouraging my clients to set meaningful goals - don't say "lose weight", say "come to class at least 3x per week" or "fit into my size 8 jeans" or "run a 5k in under 30 minutes". Time for me to practice what I preach!

2013 Goals

Complete at least two events - one unrecognized and one recognized.

This is going to happen. I am going to have a competition season for the first time in my life, with a real eventing barn that has a real event team full of fun people (no kidding - they are awesome) and a coach to help keep my nerves in check and walk the course with me and ask me where my armband is before I go.

Things that pony will see a lot of in 2013: the side of the barn's trailer.

Make a general riding plan weekly that includes lots of variety so Connor doesn't get fried (again...)

I admit it, I OD'd on the sandbox this year, especially with a young Cob. Luckily I and my trainer realized it, fixed it, and things got better than ever before. But I learned my lesson and never intend on repeating that mistake again. Even if my lesson plan is vague, or if it includes doing the same sport two days in a row, it needs to be interesting and varied. Sorry, little buddy.

Pay off my car so that I can eventually stop doing stalls on Sundays/eventually be able to go to a Sunday event.

If I keep telling myself we're blessed to live in such a great place for trail riding, will it suddenly not be 5 degrees outside anymore like it is right now? KTHX.

After we pay off my car we will still have, um, a rural Indiana mortgage's worth of student loan debt from my husband's engineering degree, but damn it, I've decided that I'd rather be in debt an extra year and spending time with him than adding another 8 hours to my 45+ hour work week and losing a weekend day. Paying off my car makes keeping him without doing stalls a vague possibility for the first time since I've owned him. I'm also not giving Connor a quality ride after that much time doing chores, and I'm serious about bringing him along this year.

Ride with Connor's breeder at least once every couple of months! (This goes hand-in-hand with the previous goal...)

Baby Connor and his breeder, Lisa.

An hour and a half drive never seemed so far, but there's really nothing like cantering young Welsh Cobs through the dense Indiana forests with a good friend and "other mother". I miss it, and want more of it in 2013, and getting rid of doing stalls will make that possible.

I'm enjoying reading all of your 2013 goal posts, keep them coming!