Year in Review: 2015

I was going to do a month by month review, but I just don't have the energy. Instead of month by month, I'm going to bulletpoint the high points.

1. We rode a lot of trails. The new ones were parts of Chatfield, new parts of Bear Creek, Buffalo Creek, Indian Creek (which we still need to ride from there to here), Waterton Canyon, Marshall Lake and Hidden Mesa. In all, we rode 470 miles - just a bit short of my goal.

Colorado trail and Indian Creek top my list.

2. K and Eddy became great trail riding partners. K is up for anything, complains about nothing, and thinks 15 miles is just getting started. We have made adjustments in water, food and clothing over the year, but mostly have just grown together as a team. Her hubs joined us one time, but overall, this is a thing we three have going for us.

Eddy has grown up in the past year and become quite the trail horse. He and Ashke like each other and formed a bond. They provide a steady influence for each other instead of feeding off of nervous energy. Eddy will take the lead when Ashke needs him to and vis versa. It has been educational to see how well they do together and although they will both go out alone, they seem happiest going as a duo.

Ren and Stimpy

3. I rode at the horse expo. That was exhilarating and exhausting and terrifying all at the same time. It was an experience to haul Ashke to a show like that. It was exhilarating to show in front of a crowd. I think we both learned a lot about each other. I can tell you, Ashke likes knowing the answer before the question was asked and when he realized we were there for Working Equitation, his stress dropped immensely.

Rosa and Ashke

4. Practiced a lot of Working Equitation. Built obstacles. Attended clinics, worked with a trainer and attended practice days. Joined High Country Working Equitation Club. Showed in my first show, which was terrifying in it's own way. We rocked the Speed Trial, but need to work on the other stuff. Ashke grew a lot during the process and I think we are finally figuring out some of the dressage side of WE.

Babe, the big, Blue Ox

5. Moved barns. We moved from TMR mid December of 2014, then again on 11/1/15. Finally, we moved to what I hope can become our permanent home on 12/1/15. There is a lot of crazy out there in the boarding world and going forward I will try very hard to completely avoid it. We are in a place where I think Ashke feels safe and happy. He is in turn out with a horse or more every day. He can move around, graze, groom, and roll when he needs to. He has arena TV to watch when he is in his stall and the people at the barn seem to really enjoy him. He is already a barn favorite. Best thing, Eddy is moving closer until he can get into our barn. There are new trails for us to explore.

It has been a busy but successful year. Ashke is getting better and better as time goes by. I have great hopes, which I will detail in my next post, for 2016.