Ride Report: Progress Not Perfection

When my riding goals take a back seat to the demands of adulthood, it’s time to embrace the slow roll of progress. 

2016 hasn’t been a stellar year for my riding-wise. Last December, Elf slipped on frosty grass and in the process of our tumble I managed to tear a ligament in my finger and get a massively bruised leg plus a strained knee. I followed that up in March with a rather spectacular fall where I thought I was fine but managed to burst one of the bursa in my knee. I managed to show twice this year, but my riding was sporadic in general.

I was finally cleared to ride again regularly early this summer – just in time for school to let out and my son to be home with me full time. That and a busy work schedule didn’t make for the most barn friendly calendar. And that was ok.

Then, a few weeks ago we found out that the Army had new plans for us including a move to Fort Knox, Kentucky in October. Which added more to to do list.

To be honest, riding and riding goals simply aren’t high on the priority list at the moment.

Embracing my why

This year’s de-railing forced a little mental check. I had a few moments where I looked at the thousands of dollars in saddles, equipment, the trailer, the truck and I wondered if it was still worth it when I didn’t have time to ride the 5 days a week that my goals require.

As quickly as I could articulate the thought I knew the answer – absolutely yes.

I enjoy making showing & training goals and working towards them. I am motivated to continually improve as a rider. I enjoy the learning process as much as utilizing newly acquired skills. But much more than any of that, I simply enjoy being at the barn. Four years ago, I don’t think I ever could have imagined myself sitting at a dressage show and watching a weekend’s worth of dressage tests. But when I figured out how much it helped Elf, I learned and enjoyed it. We’re heading back to hunter/jumper land in Kentucky and I’m browsing Facebook Sale groups for a new jump saddle.

In reality though, I’ve enjoyed the casual walk/trot/canter rides that have made up most of this summer’s work just as much. We’re gone on trail rides, experimented with just how many serpentine loops you can fit in an arena and practiced more ways of working turn on the haunches into a ride than I could begin to tell you. And each time, I’ve left the barn feeling better than when I arrived.

And that’s really the point, isn’t it?

Progress

I still try to have some structure in my rides – even if we’re not actively work towards any significant goals. More so that I’m not undoing all the growth that Elf has had in the last few years. When Elf isn’t in full work, he tends to get stiff through the left side of his body, which makes him heavier in the hand on the left and less supple in general. That gets worked on every ride. We work on small things – keeping his core engaged through transitions, transitions while stretching, the geometry of our 20m circles. I still keep a ride journal and make note of those small things we work on.

With each ride the last month or so, friends have commented on how good Elf looks – pushing evenly, straight and responsive. All of those little things we work on are foundational. One more brick of skill we lay that makes the more demanding work possible. So, now, when I ask for a little lateral work I don’t feel like I’m having to hold him together. A lengthening here and there to see what he’ll do has produced some of the best trot work he’s done. I don’t think we could jet off to the show ring tomorrow by any means, but Elf is stronger, more willing and more capable than he’s been in the past.

Because I’ve made the choice to forego the chase of perfection and instead embrace progress.

How do you handle your rides when life forces a break?