Q2 Wrap-up

Things have certainly being challenging thus far in 2020!  I went back to re-read my Q1 goals post and I had a chuckle at my optimism that things would pick up for shows and things around here.

Note: I’m having internet and blogger issues so I can’t seem to add any more photos. Sigh. #firstworldproblems

Needless to say, I've bit the bullet and totally scrapped most of my horse goals for this year and made some modifications.  I have done ok on the barn/pasture stuff, but need to really focus on the house in Q3 before things totally get away from me.

I think Charlie Mackesy summed up how I feel with this post on Instagram:

I'm also sad that attending QH Congress in Columbus is 95% out - who knows what the travel restrictions will be like by then (the border is closed until late July at least), the US dollar exchange rate is horrendous and I honestly don't know if I want to be around large amounts of people for a few more months. 

My plan B for a big horse show/shopping event was the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto in November, but it was canceled on June 25th, so that plan is toast as well.  I guess I should really just focus on saving money so next year can be a good one (fingers crossed!).

Horses:

• earn Fred's ROM (AQHA register of merit - each time a horse hits 10 points in a discipline/level, you get a certificate) in halter - we need 1.5 points in open and I think 3.5 points in amateur  - shelved until 2021 due to covid-19
• show at a different venue/different club (I've shown at the same 2 places for 98% of past shows) - shelved until 2021 due to covid-19
• ride again - might still pull this off
• attend a clinic of some sort - shelved until 2021 due to covid-19
• find a mare for my friend to ride and maybe breed (added Q1) - COMPLETED! W00t!

Fred

• work as weather permits 
• continue under saddle work - leaving this on in case I'm inspired to try him under saddle again
• work on showmanship and in hand trail - maybe show at a schooling show? shelved until 2021 due to covid-19
• find a bridle that fits his big head - COMPLETED for now with the world's ugliest bridle, found in a heap of old tack at the volunteer place
• get him more used to the bit and/or try a hackamore

Copper

• stay healthy! - Q1 - check! Q2 - check!

Lucy (my friend's mare)

• get her confirmed in foal - Check! 45 day u/s done on 04/01 and all good!  Q2 - all good!

Personal

• read 45 books - Q1 was great, Q2 not so much.  There is still time to save this goal!
• back up and organize photos (my computer is dying, so this is urgent!) COMPLETED!
• volunteer somewhere horse-y  - COMPLETED-ish early this year.  The therapeutic riding centre is still closed to outsiders due to covid-19 so nothing further for this year.
• save $$ for foal hopefully coming in 2021- this is going well, thanks to covid-19
• exercise program of some sort - ahhahaha!
• stick to a budget - doing ok here in Q2, thanks to covid-19
• read/listen to some horse training material - podcasts, youtube, books etc - Q1 - I read lots, Q2, not so much
• continue to declutter and sell unused tack - ongoing - more work to be done here!
• attend QH Congress (as a spectator) in October (I've missed the past 2 years!) - sadly, I think this will have to be scratched.  
• use up products that are already in the house/barn (added Q2) - Ongoing - I'm on a mission here to use up as much stuff and not buy anything new unless urgent - like fly spray or something.

House/property

• complete some minor house renos/décor updates - nothing in Q2
• stay on top of yard/flowerbeds/fenceline - fencline yes, flowerbeds, uh hells no.  LOL
• keep barn tidy
• clean and organize my hay storage area - DONE Q2
• fix and bury fence ground wires - DONE! Q1
• check pasture fence and come up with a plan to have fence fixed by mid-May DONE Q2
• source some 2nd cut hay - DONE Q2
• clean and organize tack - ongoing, with more motivation now that there is a riding horse here!
• repaint jump poles 
• organize electric fence supplies/spare parts - added and DONE Q2
• clean and put away winter blankets DONE Q2
• put away the trough heater and extension cord DONE Q2
• clean the tack room DONE Q2
• daydream about tack room renos/updates DONE - LOL
• clean cobwebs/windows/shelves DONE Q2
• look into and start a plan/budget for some barn renos - eavestrough, upgrade lighting/wiring and maybe refinish the tack room - Q2 - made a spreadsheet with materials list, pricing