Let’s talk about my highly improbable dreams

[OverandOnward]

IMO, first and foremost, every. single. thing. you. do. , every decision you make, no matter how small or how large, should have a positive answer to the question “How does this help me get to the AEC’s?” Especially horsey decisions, but non-horsey ones as well.

Such as: If you move, is it closer to or farther away from the needed horse facilities? Is your job supportive of hours for riding after work? Are your weekends available? What are your other non-work commitments? Etc. The details can make or break this goal.

This constant question has to be asked because there will be mountains of sidetracks, distractions and roadblocks, as there is with any big goal. And honestly especially sidetracks coming from other people, those close to you and those only tangentially part of your world. Things that are wrong for your goal, such as “lease/buy this horse” (it’s not suitable), “stick with this trainer” (not one developing you & horse in the AEC direction), “take the job position with extra long hours all year round”, “get involved with something non-work that conflicts with riding”, and so on. All things that will take you away from the AEC’s, not toward them. Years can go by and you find yourself completely off the AEC track and wondering why.

1. Some trainers are on the AEC track with their students, but not all trainers. Work only with those that are progressing you toward that goal (even if they aren’t going themselves). When you talk to trainers (several), define your budget and ask about that as well. And don’t ever feel that you are locked into one trainer and can’t leave their program if you feel that it’s not going in the right direction. Trainers are here to serve a professional purpose in our riding lives, not to take the place of senior family member, but sometimes that can get confused in students’ minds.

2. Finding the horse you need to lease will require a trainer with the right connections, and/or the right horse available in their own barn. You can’t find the horse on your own until you are well connected and knowledgeable about the local horse network.

3. I agree with the poster who said that leasing is likely better than owning for a goal like this and a rider in the position you describe. If an owned horse becomes unable to progress with you, or if it develops an ongoing lameness or health issue, it can become quite expensive while not being what you need. And there is no real market for selling lame or health-compromised horses.

3) Very important: Set some intermediate goals, enjoy accomplishing each one and celebrate the achievement. This journey will be hard work, but it should also be fun! and you’ll need the periodic attagirls and encouragement to sustain the energy for the full journey. Some intermediate fun goals could include: Places you want to school cross-country. Certain obstacles that you look forward to mastering. Some really cool horse trials in your area that you want to do. Even traveling with your horse and a group of riders and doing all those on-the-road things that are special when they aren’t your regular life. Things like that. You can set those right now just based on whatever has inspired you to set this goal.

And just an opinion, your timeline shouldn’t be set in stone, because you don’t want to push yourself into an unsafe situation if your development (or your horse’s) isn’t yet ready.

One thing that I believe is more true of eventing than many other sports, because of SAFETY - You need to take each step when you are well prepared for it. Eventing will certainly expand your comfort zone, but when you are ready for each incremental step. It’s ok to feel a bit scared and you definitely will from time to time. But if you feel total dread and doom, make wise choices. Don’t feel pushed to do something if you don’t feel you and/or your horse is prepared for it. Compete well within your abilities and keeping adding skills as you progress, rather than just pushing on to the next experience whether or not you are ready for it.

One foot in front of the other, one step at a time, keep your focus, keep on going … and someday you’ll have a ride time on the startbox list at the AEC’s!

[OTTBs]

@pony grandma

Far more realistic to alter this goal a bit. Aiming for the AECs requires qualifications:

• 1st or 2nd in any USEA recognized Beginner Novice Horse Trials (or) Beginner Novice Three-Day competition
• [B]OR[/B] 3rd in two USEA recognized Beginner Novice Horse Trials (or) Beginner Novice Three-Day competition
• [B]OR[/B] 1st through 5th in any USEA Beginner Novice Area Championship

If you're in an area with heavy local competition this alone would require more time and money than arranging a trip to KHP to enjoy a more reachable goal. The suggestion to find a temporary local trainer/lease situation and that trainer's suggestion for what local HT at the park is the friendliest, and most suitable for your situation, is what I also would suggest.

Also what Caryledee said above…

I’ve been eventing since before there were AEC’s and I have never qualified for them. My only 2nd place was before they existed. My only 3rd may have been too. IIWM I’d try to get a group together to voyage to any of the KHP events. When AEC leaves I believe they’ll have the 3-day event at BN again, that might be something to aim for.

[TMares]

Go to the KHP and event what you have, not what you might become at 43. Just go.

[tbchick84]

I realize you have your goals set on recognized shows, but know that a very good series of schooling shows including championships now exists right in your backyard. Maybe use those to get back into the swing of things and them move onto recognized next year. It’s a heck of a lot cheaper and requires the same skills as recognized. There are a ton of very nice eventing barns all along 495. I bet any one of them has good horses you can lease to accomplish your goals.

[SeeSpotEvent]

Hagyard’s Team Challenge in October is also a great way to experience KHP. It’s super fun to be on a team and it is a big, fun show. Not AECs but still a definite destination event for a lot of folks.

[KBC]

@OverandOnward Love this

“IMO, first and foremost, every. single. thing. you. do. , every decision you make, no matter how small or how large, should have a positive answer to the question “How does this help me get to the AEC’s?” Especially horsey decisions, but non-horsey ones as well.”

I have my own impossible dream, so crazy I can’t speak it out loud, but in preparation…everything I eat, where I choose to park “come on you need the walk”, the fact I am having sports massage to get this 62 year old broken body working so much better. LOL, something as mundane as driving, is my weight equally balanced on my seat bones, are my shoulders down and relaxed, etc etc.

While struggling with the big obstacles, work to make yourself, “dream ready”

[OverandOnward]

@KBC

@OverandOnward Love this

I have my own impossible dream, so crazy I can’t speak it out loud, but in preparation…everything I eat, where I choose to park “come on you need the walk”, the fact I am having sports massage to get this 62 year old broken body working so much better. LOL, something as mundane as driving, is my weight equally balanced on my seat bones, are my shoulders down and relaxed, etc etc.

While struggling with the big obstacles, work to make yourself, “dream ready”

It is so true and important. The years can slip by so easily with our busy schedules, until we look at the calendar and realize that there’s not much room left to schedule in that “someday”. And as you say, we could have been preparing for it so as to clear away some of the inevitable roadblocks, had we been mindful of doing so.

If a goal is not part of one’s usual round of activities and life, it has to become the mindful center of one’s own universe. A lot of life things have to be moved aside to make room for it because life is always already full. It’s either important enough to self to do that, or it’s not. That’s a personal decision with no right or wrong answer. But it’s a decision that should be made to keep a clear mind and allow one’s focus to be on what matters most to self.

IMO. And first-time straight-off-the-track OTTB owner after thinking about it for xx years, and what was I thinking :eek: , but he’s going to be a great horse after we both survive the transition.

[cruisecontrol]

I think your goals are very achievable. I thought owning another horse and doing this sport were almost impossible but working with a trainer on a competent lesson horse will get you far. And if you ride at an adult barn it’s possible those adults will be more willing to let you catch ride or even half lease one of their experienced horses because they’ve seen you ride. Eventually building a good reputation at a nice barn will get you the saddle time. Leasing is a great way to go half or full on a school master is worth everything!

I free leased for a year before purchasing my wonderful draft cross and I board at a private facility. I saved up and got some jumps for the field and I hack to my trainers farm for lessons. Ideally we would all have Dobby in a nice barn with training rides and lessons all the time but AAs with full time jobs and side hustles have to figure it out. You can do this just be gently on yourself and go at your own pace. I heard they were wanting to make KHP the permanent AEC venue but until then look into other KHP events. I know many trainers who will send their students to shows with other trainers if they know they can’t go.

Best of luck to you!