What follows are my thoughts and seem relevant based on some recent conversations. 

The past gets us to the present, and what we do in the present helps us on our journey to our future self and the vision we have for our riding. What jumped out at me while rewatching the session – goals are not the end-all. Goals set us off in a direction. Achieving the goal(s) we set may not actually be the point. Growth is the point. Through the process of striving toward goals, we grow. Revisiting, reflecting, and revising our goals is critical to the process. 

In the session, we wrote down our vision for our relationship with our horse(s), our goals, our strategy and our actions. The beauty of working equitation is the wide range of people who participate in the discipline. We range from career professionals to beginners finding a passion for horses for the first time (and everything in between). Therefore, our goals are unique and fit into the larger vision that we have for ourselves, our relationship with riding, our horse(s), and our lives!  And, there is space for all of us to share this journey and support and encourage each other’s growth and success. 

Let’s reflect:

What is your vision for your relationship with horses and how does riding fit into your life? This is the “why.” It’s the big picture. It’s where you want to be in 5, 10, 15 years.

What are your goals for the season or year?  This is the “what” – the shorter-term benchmarks or steppingstones to achieving your vision.

What is your strategy for achieving your goals? This is the “how” – it might be attending shows or getting help from a professional instructor or joining your local affiliate organization. 

What daily actions are you taking? Daily actions connect your strategy and goals to daily life. They are manageable, measurable and adjustable building blocks toward the future. They are where we course correct.

Reflection asks, how is it going (no self-judgment here)? What gets in the way of your daily actions? Who can support you? Are course adjustments necessary? 

If qualifying and competing in the 2024 USAWE Western Zone Championships is something you set as a goal, you still have time! The Western Zone Championships can accommodate people achieving qualifying scores up until September 16! The remaining Region 1 qualifier licensed shows per the USAWE licensed competitions site are:

Oregon: WE Oregon July Show, July 19-21

Teensy Weensy Show August 10, 11

WE Oregon August Show, August 17 ,18

Lake Oswego Hunt Club WE Show, September 7, 8

Montana:  Sleeping Willow Ranch, July 20, 21

Washington: WSHP WE Show, August 10, 11

Working Equitation Island Style, August 24

Good luck and happy riding!

Sara, Your Region 1 Director