Watching us progress IS fun, but the cost of that progress is free time (and spending money -- my god I've spent a fortune on horse stuff in the past two months).
I feel a bit lost. I had an unposted page attached to this blog that lists in detail my goals with Gavin. Part of those goals is getting to FEI. Now, I'm just not so sure. I'm not saying it isn't what I want - believe me, I love watching Gav get better, stronger, more flexible; I just don't know if I'm willing to pay the price (in time and money). I also want to trail ride with Gavin, I want to jump with Gavin, I want to do a pair pace with him, and a fox hunt! I want a variety of experiences with him. And the whole time I want us to improve. To develop as a team. If dressage just means training, than dressage should help us to accomplish these goals - by making Gav more attentive to me, more fit, more elastic. But I don't know if I want dressage to be the end all, be all, of Gavin and I.
And though I want all of these experiences with Gav, they are not the ONLY experiences I want - I want to watch my dog trot along in front of me with a big ole smile on his puggy face because he loves walks at the park so much, I want time (and money) to travel with, have fancy dinners with, and go to interesting shows with my boyfriend. I want to occasionally indulge in my other money-spending venture: clothing. I want. I want. I want. And sadly I have limited resources and limited time. This means I don't get everything I want, which means I have to prioritize... and I'm having a hard time doing it.
Pity party rant over.
Prioritizing is one of the hardest things to do in life. Best of Luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Horses will always be a priority, but I have many loves *said in some foreign accent to make it sound more romantic/mysterious*
DeleteI feel ya. Figuring out your priorities is first battle, sticking to them is the second, I find. You can do it! It will work out.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly right. Figuring them out is tough, but then sticking to them is tougher. I want to be flexible with myself, but I don't want to fail the "sticking to my priorities" part. :-/
Delete*hugs*
ReplyDeleteI feel you on the wants of all the things!
I think you guys are doing great - don't forget to look back as well as forward (something I always forget to do and am thankful that my blog-readers remind me from time to time!); Gav & yourself have come on in leaps and bounds since you started more focused training with G. if you need to take the foot off the gas for a week or two of chilled'ness do it and then you can both return to the dessagery (great word) with a clean slate and a fresh outlook.
Am i right in assuming Gav is in a forever home (as much as any of us can guarantee forever) so there is no rush to get the dressagery perfect straight away - if you (and your wallet) need a break - take one and go back fresh when you are feeling more up to it :D
The odd lesson while having time to practice and tinker on your own never hurt no body ;-)
Bah! I'm terrible at replying. This made me feel so much better! Your assumption is correct - Gav is definitely in his forever home (as much as I can control it), and just having someone say "there is no rush" makes me remember that I have all the time in the world with my young, healthy guy. :) Thanks!!!
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ReplyDeleteAhh! I am following your blog but forgot to add it to my RSS reader. So sorry. I have fixed it!
ReplyDeleteHaha! I've always wondered if you read up on Connor's half-sibling! And now I know! :)
DeleteI have to say, I went all Connor groupie the other night and showed my boyfriend all of the awesome jumping pics you posted, like "look at what Gavin's half-brother can do!!!"