2016 Year in Review

I was going to write a month-by-month year in review, but I only posted 33 times over the entire year. Once in January, no posts in February or March. 4 in April and 7 in May, where I thought I'd actually start writing consistently (spoiler alert- I didn't). I didn't post at all in June, I posted a total of 11 times in July through November, and then a record 10 (now 11) times in December. I'm finally getting into blogging now. I really want to do more ride recaps for my future self so I can see where I've come from.

So here's a general recap of the year, not necessarily from the blog and mostly in pictures:

January: 

Tony feels like a First Level horse for the first time. Here is a quote from my facebook page: 

"Today, Tony felt like a real, live first level horse, plus some moments that made second level feel possible (and not too far off). He got walk-canter transitions to the left for the first time (he can do it to the right pretty consistently), and did canter serpentines a up and down the arena with lead changes through the trot. Who knows if we will be able to recreate it again tomorrow, but today I'm happy!"

February:

We plod along at home in the outdoor arena with bad footing. We get a few okay rides in. Winter sucks.

March:

We try Working Equitation for the first time. Tony is overly excited about lancing the bull. He is mostly good. Observers judge us for using a double bridle. I mentally tell them to screw off. Strong/spooky horse + obstacles + other horses in the ring + lots of people in the ring = better safe than sorry. 

April:

We attend our first schooling show/ride and review of the season and earn a 66 and 68%. We feel on top of the world. Judge tells us if we can control the lateral movement a bit more, we could be looking at 2nd level.

May:

First ever Jessica Wisdom clinic. I am nervous. But it was a success. Tony was amazing.

June:

Karen Pavicic clinic. Tony's really feeling like a dressage horse. We're out doing the things and being awesome. Start feeling extra depressed second half of June. Lose lots of motivation.

July:

Power through the first half of the month to make it to our first rated show. I thought Tony was great. Our scores did not reflect that. A few sub-60 scores and some snarky comments brought on disappointment. Still happy with the pony. He was a good, broke pony and felt great.
A week after the show, I had intense pain while farm-sitting. Rushed to ER, had appendix out. Went home the next day. No riding for the next month. Get even more depressed.

August:

Scrape myself together to ride Tony in another Jessica Wisdom clinic. He was great. I don't remember a lot of it. I was on a lot of drugs, this being the first weekend I am allowed to ride again after my appendectomy. 

Go to the beach with a friend and ride her horse. Mostly just relax and enjoy a vacation. Feeling extra depressed. I pretty much don't ride for the rest of the month.

September:

On September 1st, we were in a major car accident on the way home from Seattle. I sprain my wrist pretty badly. I ride Tony maybe once a couple weeks after the accident, and then go to a schooling show. It's not a disaster, but it wasn't good. Scores in the 50s. Once again, on a lot of drugs so I don't feel the pain in my hand. Things aren't going well.

I bring this guy home on September 16, and am forced to ride again. My motivation starts to come back and my mood starts to improve. After a pretty sucky summer full of hospitals and bills and car problems, finally something good. 

October:

I start learning to actually ride dressage. Lessons with my trainer and JW. I'm broke, but not broken, and finding joy in life again.

November:

 More of the same. Another JW clinic. I momentarily lose my half pass. It comes back better than before. Saddle searching sucks. 

December: 

I find a decent saddle. Lines is much happier. We start improving more. A trip to JW's barn for some lessons helps me learn how to actually keep my leg on and stop riding so defensively (a bad habit from Tony).

I realize I miss Tony like crazy and am excited to start back up with him in the spring when the days are longer. I am healing in both body and mind and feel ready to build our relationship back up.