Bug and I show jumping in the Advanced at The Fork this spring. Photo by the amazing Mike McNally.
For me, as for many others, the eventing season has come to a close. Mine happened a lot faster than planned between my Fair Hill debacle and my stallion being out for the season (and thus no VA HT!). I find myself feeling quite empty. What to do next? I am sure a lot of you understand what I’m talking about.
We spend all year with a plan. Yes, sometimes that plan is changed many times, but we have a plan, nonetheless. All of the work we do is with a goal in mind. We rush around trying to get everything accomplished so that we are ready for the show that weekend. We wish life would slow down a little so we can enjoy it. Days pass, weeks fly by, and before we know it, it’s the end of the season! It’s like the floor drops out, and we aren’t sure where we stand. Even on a year that ends as planned, I still find myself floundering to figure out what’s next. We finally get life to slow down, only to start getting the itch to look at the next year’s omnibus. I can’t wait for next spring already!
So, what do I do to fill in the void of show season? Well, in my area, I am blessed with a lot of schooling shows over the winter months. I plan to peruse all of the local show websites and start filling in my Google calendar. Of course, my fingers will probably make their way to the USEA online omnibus as well.
Once Bug is back in action, the winter months will give me plenty of time to start working on filling in the holes. Winter is a great time (assuming you can find good footing) to work hard at the nagging issues that you just didn’t have time to fully fix during the show year. Of course, if you are blessed with the opportunity, you can take yourself to Aiken or Ocala and be guaranteed some amazing footing. There are always a plethora of great instructors in these areas over the winter as well. Now is the time to start planning your vacations boot camps for next spring!
I also find that winter is a great time to get rolling with my project horses. It seems like show season (when you are a one person team) is a time when keeping up with everything can get sticky. The competition horses and horses in training always get first priority, so the extra projects that you own can sometimes take a back burner. Now is a great time to really get them consistent and ready to rock and roll in the spring.
Winter is always a great time to catch up on your life. You know, that thing that doesn’t exist during show season. Hanging out with the people that don’t get to see much of your smiling face during the other 10 months of the year is something that is vital. It is sometimes hard to remember that there is a life outside of horses and showing.
Of course, when I find myself really jonesin’ for the show season, I can watch this awesome recap of 2012 that my very good friend, Jordan Lambert, made for me!
So, Eventing Nation, what are your big plans for winter??
