I’ve never……..

not ever………

made a New Year’s Resolution.

I’ve always viewed them as a failing proposition from the start……

HOWEVER…………………..

2013 brought lots of changes…. and I’ve been thinking about what I’d like to accomplish in 2014.

Wonder Pony has spent 2013 learning the breaststroke……….

We ended 2012 with a 5th place qualifying result at Intermediate……

I was checking in with his latest pony rehab facility when the manager asked, “Has he ever been swimming before? He just walked right in………..these Thoroughbreds aren’t usually that good about it.”

I couldn’t even look at her as I said, “Yes…..yes, he has. I’m surprised he hasn’t grown flippers yet.”

Also in 2013, The Evil Twin went off to boot camp……. Again……….

As a horse that was started late in life (9 years old) and gelded late in life (also at 9 years old) every spring has proven particularly challenging as he reminds anyone (make that everyone) that he is supposed to be BREEDING mares for a living…….. not this eventing stuff! 

With WonderPony swimming laps and his Evil Twin off to bootcamp, I found myself two VERY GREEN off the track youngsters to ride. These boys………….

are what I call…………..

long term projects.

I’m hoping 2014 brings me back to competing at something other than Beginner Novice……….but at the moment that’s not very likely.

If I’m going to go down that whole “resolution” path of doom I want some resolutions that are at least POSSIBLE

So here it goes……….resolution number one………..

1. Buy a refrigerator.

My refrigerator bit the dust a few months ago…… But between riding before dawn and after dusk,

with 12 hour work days in between, that whole SHOPPING thing just doesn’t happen. I have a friend who said it brought tears to her eyes when I told her I hadn’t had a refrigerator for awhile. 

When I explained that it wasn’t that big a deal because the only things in my fridge are carrots and beer………. I don’t think it decreased her dismay.

2. See Tall Paul play.

One of my favorite horse show memories involves great live music and being adopted by Sally Buffington and her entourage. They helped me, fed me, and baby sat me, all because I happened to park next to them at the show. When I pulled in….Sally introduced herself and asked who I was with. When I said, “No one” she replied immediately, “Oh no you’re not alone. You’re with us now! You’re going to love my show moms!!”

Tall Paul played late into the night on Saturday, and I closed out the evening with the organizers and Tall Paul. Good times, good new friends, and good music. It may not be at a show, but I will find myself at one of his gigs somewhere in 2014.

3. Be able to knock out 100 push ups in one set. (Something I haven’t done since karate lessons when I was 12.) Yeah, yeah that’s the normal kind of New Years Resolution. But posting it on the Internet for the world to see……maybe not so normal.

If George Takei can do it, Bad Eventer can get it done by the end of the year. Watch for updates (and Bad Eventer ridiculousness) on the Push Up Quest.

4. Get some heavier jump poles…………..