2014 in Review -- part 1

2014 was a big year for me and Isabel in a lot of different ways. The day to day action can sometimes seem a little monotonous, and improvements and progress can be so incremental at times that it's nearly invisible.

So I want to take time to revisit any major (or minor!) happenings from this past year. The review will be a little picture heavy - so I'm splitting it more or less into quarters. Plus, the blog was officially launched in August, so parts 1 and 2 of this recap will predate that.

January
-Limited trail riding - including one arguably misguided ride during a snow storm. Twas fun  :) 

-We worked on baby X's and tried to get moderately comfortable with them. Still could not find any distance at all without placing poles, and started every jumping session by cantering ground poles.

-Isabel was becoming so consistent in our rides at this point that I started thinking about finding a trainer to come to GE for lessons. I had more or less maxed out with her training-wise, and felt we were ready for the next step. 


February
-Indulged in retail therapy to make up for limited riding. Got new boots and riding pants!

-And really, not a lot else happened... (boo weather)

March
-Visited friends in Chicago and Izzy's owner reported that she was being a royal tease with the boys.

-Decided that in order for training to happen in earnest, we'd need to travel for it. So I started truck and trailer shopping. 

-Settled on OF as our training venue of choice, and started lessons with Jasper. He was big and strong and not at all like Isabel. And while Jasper had never really been 'finished' he had a good sense of what he needed to do to be successful. He did positive things for my confidence and trucked me around my first ever xc schooling - which included BN obstacles!!!! 

-Continued working on grids & jumping with Isabel - and tried to bring my lessons home.

-Adopted Martini <3

April
-Found my trucky-truck and trailer!! (more here)

-Started working with a pro to get Isabel loading. We were very slow and deliberate here. It was critical for me that the 'load' button be firmly installed since, ya know, she's not my horse and I didn't want any issues off property. (more here)

Stay posted for the rest of 2014!