Crystal Ball Gazing

Saturday was the last show of the spring season. Camp starts soon. Summer is here! Therefore, I will try a little futurecasting.

Stepping Stone Farm
For the summer, I will dial back to once-a-week lessons. I would prefer two, if I could go just for the morning. Doesn’t happen. I watch lessons, pat horses; suddenly it’s 4:30 and I’m wondering where the day went. Instead, I will stay home to play with my shiny new toy horse.

In the fall, I’ll get organized to make a push for Nationals, which takes place at the end of October: more lessons, perhaps a few group boot camp sessions [Begins], or maybe a lesson intensive as I did last year [Annotated].

Regardless of the ribbons I bring home, I will go on record as saying that Nationals 2015 will be my last Academy show. Since I am not planning on moving to suit [Up], regulations do not prevent me from showing Academy until I am old and gray, um, older and grayer. Rather, I suspect I will have reached my FTS level with equitation.

I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned things that will help with any discipline [Balance]. I’m excited for the rest of the year. There is still more to squeeze out of this equitation gig. However, by November, I’m done. I will no longer care what funky thing I am doing with my right wrist, except as it influences the horse.

I’ll stay with saddle seat lessons, because, well, why not?

Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind at any point. But that’s how I see it for now.

Home Team
When (If? No, dammit, when!) Milton and I get our act together, I will ship to Stepping Stone for a on-going symposium on the overlap between saddle seat and dressage. Yup, I’m going to take dressage lessons from a saddle seat instructor. This should provide enough challenge to keep everyone, including Milton, amused.

For Rodney’s dressage instructor, I have identified a fellow who is known to be gentle with both horse and rider. For jumping, Rodney and I will go to a Joe Fargis style jumper rider who is good with Thoroughbreds.

I’ll keep my eyes open for who is hot in cross-country instruction in my area.

Same Time, Next Year
I’ll be back to check the accuracy of my predicitions. Cue divine laughter [Bronze].