making xc a regular thing

The last year brought a LOT of changes my way. Obviously the new horse, and then the big barn move after being in one place for so long. Since moving this summer, tho, all these other unexpected shifts have also bubbled up in my consciousness. 

sweet critter <3

I have a not-so-secret habit of really overthinking things, and of getting deeply micro in worrying about each and every step stage and phase of a given plan. Often to the detriment of my mental state re: calm vs anxious. 

excited critter!!

None of that was anybody's fault but my own -- don't misunderstand. But... Changing my environment, and particularly, stripping out some of the routines and dependences I'd cultivated (consciously or otherwise) over the years really really cleared the air. Cleared my head space.

what can i say but that i like the profile and dimension of this jump for warm up?
doozy don't care that it's narrow!

In particular, my ride planning has become simpler and a LOT more intentional. I already wrote last summer about how, if I didn't want to be the 'eccentric (and possibly over-horsed) new boarder who couldn't reliably trot a circle... well, maybe it was time to fix that!' Nothing quite like a little exposure to snap us back to reality, right?

new to us roll tops! next time we'll do the bigger options <3

Similarly, at the new place -- I pass the outdoor ring on my way into the barn, making it a breeze to pause and set ground poles or jump heights (or grids! spoiler!). I was notoriously lazy about setting jumps intentionally at the last place, where the ring was farther afield and we typically arrived already mounted. 

This might sound like the most "Duh" statement ever... but... it turns out, I ride more deliberately when I have a deliberate plan LOL. And maybe it's just me, but... I don't seem to hold myself to the same account when just casually popping over whatever was set up in the jump ring, as I do when I'm working over exercises I set up myself. Ymmv. 

lol i was brave and jumped a tiny log going slightly down hill, yay me

A related thread, and more in line with today's post, relates to xc schooling. We had an extremely functional and complete xc course at the last place, but it often wasn't mowed, or horses were turned out, or there were so many gates.... Or whatever million excuses for not going out as often as you'd expect.

we did the little roller coaster again too!

But now, scheduling xc schooling practice is a more formal item on the checklist -- and it's resulting in this new normal routine that is just doing wonders for my confidence! 

Bc again... It turns out, when we intentionally ship out and pay a fee to use an actual proper schooling facility... I apparently put in a little more thoughtfulness and effort lol...

MUCH GALLOPE!!!!

Getting out to Tranquillity is such a breeze --- esp bc I'm generally often traveling alone now. Another weird change with unexpected benefits. Not that I don't love and miss my former regular riding buddies (especially Amy), but ...perhaps I'd grown to be, er, overly inclusive with my anxieties and worries?? 

was probably too conservative to this little line but they're small jumps and doozy was fine!

Bc apparently when I'm hyper focusing on every little detail of every little plan, anything and everything that's a part of that microcosm gets swept up into my constellation of concentration. 

But now that it's just me and my own horse most of the time? It's really simplified the details and logistics, go figure. And, weirdly, it feels like less pressure. Nobody** cares if I show up 30min earlier or later than expected, there aren't other schedules to juggle, no expectations beyond my own wants and whims! It's nice!

(**Again --- all these feelings were pure constructions inside my own brain and not AT ALL a reflection of my riding buddies whom I LOVE. And Charlie absolutely always STRONGLY PREFERRED traveling in company, whereas Doozy... eh, she's wayyyyyy less neurotic LOL!)

they took out all the weird brush so now the out jump was just a glorified cavaletti 

And it's clear that both Doozy and I are benefiting from more routinized (and less mentally anguished) activity. No joke -- I literally could't believe how well I slept the night before Loch Moy. Like, sure, melatonin was absolutely involved LOL... But still!! No existential dread, OMG!

barbie dream horse <3

So.... Knowing that we're hoping to squeak in one last horse trial of the season, I woke up this past Saturday morning, looked outside and thought, "Wow, today is the day to get back to Tranquillity again!" And Lo! My friend Katie was available and happy to come act as Designated Scraper** too!! Woot woot, let's GO!

(**In other words, the conscious human capable of dialing 911 in case of emergency)

casually steppin up!
you'll have to watch the helmet cam for this whole series tho bc there's two more jumps in quick succession <3

We'd had so much fun on my last trip to Tranquillity that I planned to basically just repeat almost that exact ride, with just a few little differences. We jumped a few more jumps than last time, and strung more stuff together. 

lol pretty casual about the fake ditch too... ma'am!

In particular, we put a whole really cool line together from the Barbie Dream House up the hill to the banks, quick turn (literally like 5 strides) to the starter table, then turn again to the little coop. A proper little mini course! 

I also wanted to jump the fake ditch again since Waredaca sometimes has those on their baby courses. It was obvi nbd for Doozy lol.

polite down the line

Mostly, tho, we kept it simple and familiar and obscenely fun and positive! Doozy was GAME, great to ride -- understood the assignment -- happy to jump.  

finished over something still small but with a bit more spread <3 <3

And I felt great too! Felt confident in the plan, felt like we were both benefiting from easy low key reps inside our comfort zone. And I'm especially excited about the observable changes in Doozy's way of going and rideability even in just these last 3 trips to Tranquillity.

link to side view video!!

Honestly.... I'm kinda hoping to keep these little outings going on a roughly monthly basis for the foreseeable future. There are so many options that we're unlikely to outgrow the place for some time - and the low key frequent and intentional repetition seems to be really working for Doozy. Plus, these rides are so fun, why not, right? 

link to helmet cam video!

Mostly tho... I'm just grateful for where we are right now. Change is hard for me... And it's been a year of big changes. But we did it! And here we are now, nearing the end of our first full season together, with this mare out there rocking around an easy peasy cross country school like it's her most favorite thing in the world!

What more really is there to want???