2025 by the numbers

 

I know I've MIA. I've been struggling to find things to write about and feeling kind of 'meh' these days. Winter has settled in and has been particularly nasty so far. It's been cold and windy. And when it warms up it's rainy and windy. So, yeah. It's the time of year where the horse work goes up and the horse fun goes down. 

Willow has the right idea

But enough whining. I figured that it would feel good to review last year pony activities. 

For the past few years I've been a member of a FB group that has members set goals around riding and other activities. It's been a great group to celebrate rides and working towards my goals. For 2025 I set the goal of 100 rides for each horse and 150 workouts.  In looking back on that it inspired me to look at number data from last year. 

Saddle Time:

I got a lot of time in the saddle this year- I recorded 2018 rides compared to 205 in 2024.  . I had a geek moment and graphed 2024/25 data: 

2024 is blue and 2025 is green

As expected the majority of rides are April-October.  I know in the summer I rode almost every day.  

I miss this

Fitness: 

In addition I did 174 workouts. It really helped with riding and my overall health. In there I did about 100 karate classes.  It was a new thing for me and I started in January. I got my yellow and orange belts. And in December I successfully tested for my green belt.  I continue to really enjoy it. I'm hoping to get my black belt before I turn 65. 

Not counted in this are the many, many walks that Cordelia and I have taken this year. 

dogs don't care if it's cold and snowy

Learning; 

There was a bit of slow start to lessons last year, but in all I told 24 lessons and 3 clinics. Two of the clinics were with Jane and one with Johanna.  Every single ride I learned a little more, understood things a little deeper. I am also no where near done. I do remember a riding coach said to me (a long, long time ago) that by the time riders were in their 40's they were unable to really advance their skills. I'm happy to report that she was wrong. She also was not a good coach and the relationship did not last very long but that's a whole 'nother story. 

Shows: 

The horses and I competed in just two shows last year. Like, why did I write 'just'? That sounded really judgy. Let me fix it: I took both horses to two shows and it was fun, exhausting and we learned a lot. Carmen and I got a lot more grounded together and Quaid and I found some holes to fill. Carmen and I earned our silver pin for our scores which was nice. And we were 2nd level champs at our show in June. 

I also travelled to Quebec to help at the Eastern Dressage Championships. It was a lot of fun and a great experience. I met some great people and saw some lovely horses. 

Those are the things that I can count. There are also all the things that can't really be enumerated. Things like changes in confidence and skill. The fun times spent with friends and family. It was a really good year for me and it helps to look back. Especially on a day like there where the wind is trying to peel the skin from my face. 

How was your 2025?