I’m not one for making (and keeping) New Year’s resolutions. I’ve tried countless times, but by mid-January my resolve to trot on the treadmill daily or give up my chocolate fix has usually dissipated just as quickly as the holiday decorations disappear from the stores.

But each year I do try to set goals for the upcoming show season because I find that I’m much more inspired if I have a set of objectives to work toward. These goals are certainly not something set in stone, but, rather, a guideline that I use on those days when for one reason or another I find myself unmotivated to go out to the barn.

The most difficult part of the year for me is the winter, especially January and February, when bitter cold temperatures make everything that you do with horses so much harder. In the past my New Year’s goals have been the catalyst for me to get out and ride my horses. Knowing that I have a tangible target to strive for is sometimes the only reason I’m out riding in the dark after work wearing four layers of clothes and hoping that my feet don’t go numb in the stirrup irons before I finish my trot sets.

On the other hand, though, some of my fondest memories with my horses involve those cold winter evenings, when I hacked around the field with just the full moon to light my way and the crunch of the grass under my horse’s hooves keeping the rhythm in my head. While I look back now and think, “I could never do that again.” I do recall that those nights were incredibly special.

One memorable evening while I was out riding on a snowy January night, an Eastern screech owl sat in a tree overlooking the field I was working in. Almost each time I trotted by it would swoop down at my head in defense of its nest. Of course, at first it took us by surprise–and my ride almost ended much earlier than expected–but then the second time I trotted around that corner I was ready and waiting. I watched as it silently swooped down upon us, and I ducked my head just in time and heard its wings beating the air as it returned to its lair to wait for us to pass too closely again.

Most years I do achieve most of my goals (maybe I should set harder ones!) but the “resolutions” I make in the beginning of the year are generally modest. Last year, for instance, I had just purchased a young, green horse and my aspirations ranged from going to our first show and trotting in and cantering out of the lines to finishing the year ready to move up to the pre-green and adult amateur divisions.

Like many plans that involve horses, I did have a few setbacks during the previous months that prevented me from achieving each and every specific objective.

But, now that I look back at my daily training log from early 2006, I’m pleased with how far we’ve come. Now, instead of focusing on the basics, I’ve moved on to solidifying those skills and sophisticating our performance, and adding the polish will be one of my goals for 2007.

So, now that the New Year has arrived I’ll return to the saddle after the holiday with new ambitions. And while I have the luxury of an indoor ring this winter, whenever I can I’ll ride out in the adjacent fields and on the trails because spending more quality time with my horse is one resolution I enjoy keeping.


Tricia Booker