The Year of the Horse

Looking back over 2013, it was as remarkable year. I began the year adjusting to a day J.O.B. that created a whirlwind of change in my riding life. I really did not ride seriously until April and then completed, with no jumping penalties, the CCI* with Mick Dreamy at Virginia Horse Trials. That was just a few days after my 57th birthday. Woot!

Nothing really got into focus until after VAHT at which time I put others into work and started with trainer, Mara DePuy. I have learned an amazing amount in our short time together, and have begun to rekindle my own skills, knowledge, and motivation to address the psychological aspect of eventing.

Some may know that I have a Ph.D in Social Psychology and did many years of teaching and research at Michigan State and Virginia Tech from 1985 through 1998. Those were fruitful years that provided me with a professional work ethic that has, I hope, spilled over to my true passion, riding and training.

So I am now coming full circle, indeed. It occurred to me, after Mick and I completed the Plantation CIC** that I need to USE what I already know from the social and personality psychology and I can do this for myself and for others. So over the past three months, my brain has been on full throttle creating ways to improve, enhance, and progress in my riding.

And I want to share that with others.

So this is the Year of the Horse! My first stop will be a training session at the USEA Area II Annual Convention coming up in only a few weeks.

I will use this blog to provide some homework assignments that attendees may want to address before the session.

This is short as I need to put on my running shoes and go for a jog before the sun comes up.

Happy New Year!