Lots of happy news!

So I have been neglecting to update this again, but I have so much good news!

The biggest news is that I won the Carol Lavell Gifted Scholarship from the Dressage Foundation for Region 1!!! This means that I get $1000 to spend toward concentrated time spent with my horse away from work and other distractions to focus on training. I am beyond thrilled and can't wait to get to bootcamp with Kristin Stein! I'll also be writing about my experience for the dressage foundation, which will be a fun opportunity as well.

Other big news: Gadget and I were champions at Third Level and Fourth Level for Adult Amateurs in the Western Pennsylvania Dressage Association year end awards. Our average at Third Level based on the scores submitted was over 70%! Not only did we win those big, beautiful ribbons, but we also won the Joe Lane award for highest score achieved between 2nd and 4th level. It's a beautiful glass award, and I was so surprised and thrilled to win it!

More big news: Gadget finished the year as champion for the Performance Horse Registry for Adult Amateurs and Open classes at third level for USDF year end awards! We are going to have our picture in the USDF yearbook!

This year was the best horsey year that I have ever had and one that I really never imagined could happen with Gadget. Gadget and I have had so many huge breakthroughs that I really can tangibly feel the progress. I now feel that Prix St. George is a realistic goal to have for us. It may take a little while yet, but it feels within reach. THAT is an amazing feeling.

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When old becomes new - update to my old Pikeur Diana!

Here is the finished product! It was a plain black jacket so I added white and light blue trim with RHINESTONES! It's very sparkly! Here's a closeup of the collar, which looks better than the pocket. Now I am going to try to add coordinating trim (minus the rhinestones) to the saddle pad.

New Near, New Goals - 2019!

NEW YEAR, NEW GOALS! I usually love reviewing my goals, progress and dreaming up new goals for the coming year, but this year was a tough one with the loss of my dear Gadget. I read a great set of articles on the Chronicle of the Horse by Matt Brown about how to shift your thinking about goal-setting. He makes the argument against fixed, outcome goals and to instead set more of "growth mindset," process-oriented goals. And here's a link to the first article: http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/a-case-for-not-focusing-on-your-goals-part-1 They are totally worth reading. I think dressage requires a strong focus on the "process" and I've always enjoyed thinking about the little things that build to success. However, I will totally admit to being outcome goal driven. I love setting specific score goals and even the goal of mastering a movement. Just as Gadget taught me lots of humility and patience, Iggy is going to drive those lessons home in a who

August 2019 update!

I have really put this poor little blog on the back burner this year, but there's actually been lots of great things happening! Iggy and I have made huge leaps forward this year in terms of balance for both of us. I am finding ways to stay softer in my hands and more supportive of his straightness that has really helped. Iggy has really gained so much strength in his canter and feels like a totally different horse. We still get changes behind, but it's no longer the defining point of the ride. We switch back and carry-on just fine. Iggy has attended 3 horseshows, and he has been wonderful. He has gotten progressively braver at each show in the warm-up, and I think he actually understands the drill now. He gets a bit excited and "takes over" a bit, but it's a great feeling to have a horse that wants to go! Although I am most thrilled about the huge boost in his confidence, his performance has been great too. He has won all of his classes, with only one score o

Dressage Day by Day

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