Show Goals For My Mother’s Day Show

So my expectations for my 2nd show with Texas are going to be a lot different then last time. Now that I know he can stay in the ring and my security blanket is at my disposal we have to step it up a notch! Onward and Upward are the key phrases for this horse. He is young, talented, and sensible. I have my show mojo on already in the fact that my mantra is “I want everyone to see how cute my fat Appy is”. And fyi I know that all my fears I wrote about in the last post were IRRATIONAL! The reality of the situation was that I was NEVER going to be alone, I just wasn’t thinking logically about the barn full of people that were coming to show also! And if I didn’t have a blog I would never have told anyone about my crazy irrational thoughts! It would have been my little secret.

So now on to my show goals (which I am proud of if I do say so myself). As always any and all input is welcome!

1) Not let other people get to me. At this show there is at least 1 person who does not like me. And that is okay because I am not crazy about them either. I know that this person will have an entourage with them and that was what had me so worried at first. I don’t mind confrontation, but the person who does not like me would never say anything to my face. Instead they would trash me to their entourage as I am riding around the ring trying to warm up. I am glad I am prepared for it now though because I know I can get into a head space of total focus on my fat spotted pony, my trainer and myself. I cannot let them bother me. I wont allow it. Regardless of how I ride they will have something rude to say. They have been the same way for as long as I have been showing and have said things about Gen, the half-blind horse, and X. I don’t know why I thought it would be worse this year. I don’t even know them that well so I don’t know why I was giving them so much power.  Maybe because I am not as confident that my fatty belongs? Screw them. We might not fit in but what business is it of theirs?!? They can kiss my fat spotted ponies butt thank you very much. I refuse to let them get to me this show. Or at least that is my goal.

2) Give myself enough time to have a real warm up – I think that was a big part of my problem last show. Texas doesn’t look nice without a good warm up. The longer you ride the better he gets until that point when he gets tired and then it is all down hill from there. So I need to max my warm up out, but not burn him out. Finding that balance is my goal.

3) Pick up the correct lead at the canter 3/4 times. I thought about going 4/4, but I think that is a little ambitious to the point of foolish. I think 75% is still pitiful, but if you want to get technical I should be showing him in walk/trot. He hasn’t been cantering under saddle for very long. I am going to try for 4/4, but I will be perfectly happy with 3/4.

4) Break a 58% on both tests. I do think that this is doable, but a also a reach goal. The local show grounds requirement for their Bronze Medal is the least rigorous of all my GMOs and a 58% is their lowest usable score. I know that as long as I can do goals number 1 and 2 this goal should be able to be accomplished.

5) Don’t come in last in either test. I know that this is not the best goal because it is relational. At first I was going to write that I wanted at least 1 ribbon, but considering there are many people in each test who are good riders with well trained and seasoned horses I don’t know how realistic of a goal that is. I think I can handle not coming in last though. I am going to work hard because I don’t want to be in 1oth place. I just know that we can do better then this if we try.

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