Hi folks

I started this challenge on January 1st 2020, with my loan horse Misty, back when the world was... um... let's just say a bit different to what it is at the time of writing now (Jan 1st 2021!). I listed seven horsey goals that I wanted to achieve that year. But then... well let's just say some shit happened.

Our first competition attempts were thwarted by February's named storms (special thanks here to 'Cara', 'Dennis' and 'Ellen'), then by March there was the small matter of a global pandemic closing everything. In the summer, as Covid restrictions briefly lifted, I tore a muscle in my back, and then more recently we've been back into lockdowns (it all ended in tiers) and Misty's hock arthritis has meant we've had to slow down and make plans to retire her.

I did manage to hit two of the seven goals though – I rode more than three different horses and I had my first jumping lesson in 13 years. And people were kind enough to donate. I raised £250 for the Wobbleberries children's cancer charity, so all was not lost.

Because of these kind donations I've decided to keep the challenge going into this year with a new set of horsey goals for 2021 – which primarily revolve around my plans to buy a new horse this spring. So if you did donate, then hopefully I can give you a bit of bang for your buck this year instead! And if you haven't yet, there's still a whole 12 months to think about it. Wobbleberries is a challenge designed for middle-aged, wimpy riders, which pretty much sums me up. The idea is to set seven equestrian challenges to raise money for Hannah's Willberry Wonder Pony – a charity that supports cancer patients. 

Here are my seven new goals for 2021:

1) Buy a new horse. This is a biggie; my plan is to start looking around March, but finding the right horse is like finding the right partner – you don't want to rush into anything or you might end up with a dud (this has happened to me on several occasions partner-wise – shout out to my exes!).

2) Have some biomechanics sessions to improve my posture in the saddle. Something that can be worked on while I'm waiting for that special four-legged someone. I actually had my first session booked for Jan 5th, but thanks to Mr Covid and Mrs Lockdown that's now been postponed.

3) Get my trailer licence. As Richard Hammond once said, this will enable me to "move my special horse around to wonderful places". Full rant here – it's worth watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-flg868deo

4) Ride at least once a week until I buy a new horse – probably a combination of riding school sessions when Covid permits and rides on kind friends' horses.... and keep jumping!

5) Sign up to equestrian coach Heather Graham's membership and a coaching package to help get me going on my new horse as soon as I've bought one.

6) Be taking my new horse off the yard at least once a month by the end of the year for a pleasure ride, coaching, venue hire or competition. This goal has to be a bit vague at this point because I have no idea when my "special horse" will come along, how long it will take us to gel, or what our first outings might be.

7) Keep posting about my journey towards finding and riding a new horse on my Instagram @the_rusty_rider. 

Thanks again for taking the time to read this and support my goals. Below are the original goals I set at the beginning of 2020, if anyone is interested...

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From Jan 1st 2020:

I've listed my seven goals below. The more competitive/accomplished equestrian types will find them small fry, but it's been 20-odd years since I rode in a competition ring, and I've never ridden a  competitive dressage test in my life. The idea is to make the goals challenging, yet achievable. Each of the below will definitely push me out of my comfort zone, so I really hope you can support me.

1)  Ride a competitive dressage test. (See above - I've never done this. In fact I've been avoiding doing this for years.)

2) Take part in a competitive dressage league. (Even more challenging because I've got to do it more than once. Preferably with my eyes open.)

3) Ride three other horses in addition to Misty. (I'm a serial monogamist when it comes to horses – I've not sat on anything other than Misty for over three years.)

4) Go for a gallop along a beach. (Something I've never done before. And last time we hit the gallops the brakes failed. So could be interesting...)

5) Have a jumping lesson. (I'm an ex-showjumper, but it's over a decade since I popped a fence.)

6) Learn to ride side saddle. (Something a bit different. And FYI, Misty is 17hh so it's a long way down if I f**k this up...)

7) Ride a novice dressage test and be scored. (This is two levels up from where we would start, so a great place to aim for by the end of the year.)