Now that the holidays (and my unintended blogging absence – sorry folks) are over, it’s time to look forward to all that 2016 has to offer. 2015 was a tumultuous year for Foster and I, and I’ve been hoping for a long time that 2016 will bring some redemption to us. So, without further ado, here’s what I hope to accomplish and strive for in the coming year.

The Horse
Really this is a re-hash of our 2015 goals that weren’t accomplished due to unforeseen medical circumstances. However, I still hope to be successful in them, even if it’s a year later!

• Here’s the big one! Move up to Training!
• Increase strength in haunches through cavaletti work (2-3x/week)
• Walk-Canter-Walk transitions
  • Lead changes
• Completing a Second Level dressage test with a score over 63%
• -new- Participate in at least one dressage clinic

The big caveat is that I won’t know how his fetlock will feel as we continue to recover. Jumping will remain to be the biggest question mark, and I’m determined to just see how it goes- if he tells me that he can’t do it, we’ll just have to focus on dressage domination instead.

The House

• Paint upstairs – hallway, study, State room
• Wrap up giant handyman to-do list covering all sorts of small sins
• Declutter in the extreme….
• In order to put the house on the market!

Surprise!

One of the original goals for this house, and the reason we decided to take on all the challenges that purchasing a foreclosure brings, was that in selling the house we would be able to afford our dream home. Now there’s still a lot of kinks to be figured out, and probable changes to our plans, but come summer, the House on the Hill may be home to a family besides ours. Updates to come as they happen!

Documenting Fair Hill | PC: JP

The Rest
Even though 2015 was an emotional roller coaster, I felt like I ended it in a better place than I started. I can only hope that I can say the same thing when we wrap up 2016. But until then, these are the goals that I have for myself.

• Health
  • Eat less red meat
  • Make a dedicated effort to consider myself an athlete as a rider and take responsibility for staying in decent shape
• Concentrate on photography and expanding my range of work
  • Complete 10-15 sessions this spring – my fingers are itching for that shutter button!
  • First newborn session!
• Stay positive and keep calamities in perspective

Here’s to many more memories in 2016!

Well, there you have it! Here’s hoping that 2016 is a joyous and successful year for everyone! Happy new year!