Setting Goals | What Makes You #AdultAmmyStrong?

Balancing life in and out of the saddle can be difficult - between full-time jobs, raising a family, grad school, and real life in general, time in the saddle and at the barn can be a precious commodity.

Early morning lessons, late night schooling sessions under the lights (if you're lucky enough to have access to a lighted arena), weekends consisting of horse shows, lessons, or vet and farrier appointments create a jam packed schedule that comes with the adult ammy title - but riding is what we do and who we are, so we make it happen. 

Goal 
/ɡōl/
noun; the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result

It's important to have goals because without it, we'd be living life aimlessly and without meaning. In riding there are many types of goals: goals for you as a rider such as better eq, softer hands, better balance, or a closer feel for the horse underneath you; and goals for your horse such as more engagement of its hind end, a better connection to the bit (and your hands), the long and low, smoother transitions, and the list could go on and on.

No matter your goals, it's important to have someone to help you get there - the essential eyes on the ground - as well as a plan and strategy to reach those goals. 

First things first, set your goals at an attainable level. You want to push yourself, but don't have such high goals they seem unreachable. I like to have short-term and long-term goals. The short-term goals are ones that I can see myself attaining in a few months or so, the long-term goals (like riding in the Olympics when you were a kid) may take more planning and strategy to be successful. Second, work with your trainer to put an action plan into place to help reach those goals. It helps to set a timeframe to weigh your success and keep you accountable. 

We all have different goals and that's ok. Some of us may have goals to get our young or green horses confidently w/t/c and moving off our leg while others are wanting to ride in a national hunter derby, 1.40 meter or grand prix. Whatever your goal is, don't stop until you reach that goal. Put your mind to it, work hard, and believe you can achieve. 

What are some of your goals and what makes you #adultammystrong?

Happy riding,