planny plan plans

Didn't I just prattle on idly last Monday about over booking my weekends? And at that, just a week after two exhausting back to back clinics? Well. Apparently I'm a glutton for punishment, because our schedule is rolling full steam ahead with the onset of Spring.

looking ahead

For starters, we're heading out today for another clinic - this time with dressage gold medalist Grant Schneidman. He comes to town a couple times a year, and we first rode with him last year (full recap here).

It was an incredibly educational ride - especially as we were just learning the most rudimentary basics of dressage. Grant's biggest piece of advice for us was to get into a regular program. Which we have done with reckless abandon this year haha.

And what a difference it's made! While we're still relative newcomers to dressageland, we're perhaps better prepared to absorb whatever learning Grant can bestow on us. Should be fun!

so ready for the first xc of the season!

Then tomorrow we expect to head out for the usual jump lesson at OF - with reason to believe it'll be on the cross country course. Fingers crossed!!! (and obviously the helmet cam is prepped and ready to go should everything go to plan!).

We will also probably press ahead with a dressage lesson with trainer C on Sunday, tho I'm not sure what to expect there (and have told C as much). It could be a great opportunity to build on concepts we get from Grant today, or stretch the mare out after running xc tomorrow (hopefully!).

Ordinarily I'd consider skipping the lesson altogether, since the mare could be tired. But idk. Next weekend is a schooling dressage show and the week after is our first three phase of the season. Another opportunity to see trainer C isn't likely to present itself between now and then, so I'll take the chance and we'll work with what Isabel can give. No harm no foul if it's a quiet ride.

we're so ready for THIS again too!

Really tho, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the 2016 season is HERE. It's beginning.

Factored in to this sensation are other fairly major alterations to my lifestyle going into effect in the next couple weeks. I'll write more about that later, but at present it's not totally clear how everything will shake out. Except I'm excited and optimistic.

It makes planning that much harder tho. And I LOVE planning. Or at least, the freedom to plan at will, or fly by the seat of my pants.

like impromptu trail riding

There are so many things I want to do with Isabel this year. Get comfortable at novice. Try a rated dressage show (still no inclination to do recognized eventing tho). Maybe collect some scores towards our bronze.

More than anything, tho - I want to have as much fun getting out and about with my friends and our beloved ponies as we had last year. Plus more, always more.

and obvi we have to get back to the Fair Hill 3* too

I want to go to Rolex and see my heros up close - and meet some of you bloggers in person! I want to go cross country schooling with Alli and Niamh and Austen (find a jumping horse, girl) and whoever else wants to come. I want to go to new places and try new things.

There's always a lot of uncertainty with horses, of course. And now more uncertainty around my upcoming schedule/life change. And perhaps that uncertainty is what's driving me to crush so many activities in all at once right now...

"I'll see ya there!!" - isabel

But. For now we're just going to roll with it. See what happens. And try to make the most of whatever comes our way. Should be a good weekend!