Goals have been a little up in the air this year as we've been waiting to see what Birdie's foot can handle.
I think we are planning to pick a couple of larger shows that we've not been too.  We would also like to attend Worlds and/or Paint Worlds as visitors in preparation for being exhibitors one day. I saw a christian movie where one of the characters told a story about two farmers who prayed for rain.  Though they both prayed equally ernestly for rain, one farmer prayed and waited....the other farmer prayed and prepared his fields to receive the rain.  The moral of the story was, it rained for both farmers, but which farmer got the most from the blessing?  The Bible says we need to prepare for the blessings we ask for.... So we need to take a trip this year and get the logistics and costs down ----I am preparing for the rain!!!  

UPDATE: 9/22/09-

Birdie shows in her first and second ever canter classes 9/2009 - and comes out with first and second!

Neko leading several organizations for year ends as well as several top threes/top fives. Unfortunately, in Sept, illness and the resulting financial situation had us pull back show schedule a little. Neko will still finish in top fives probably in all of them, maybe even hold on to a top three even though she missed 4/5 shows!!  Disappointing but even missing all those shows she had enough points to stay in the year ends so we are very proud of her.   She had a great year, here's looking to congress.  Didn't get to make a run for world qualifying but aiming for next year when everything is back to normal.  Looking forward to Martinganza or Lexington in Feb/March.

GOAL UPDATE: 8/9/09-

2.  Birdie went in her very first AQHA showmanship class - at two years old- and came out in the POINTS!  4th of 20!  Congratulations!  Also showed in the split/combined on Sunday and pinned again under both judges!

4. Neko won another THREE HUS eq classes this weekend -- even with stitches in her forehead!  A stall injury caused her to have 11 stitches in her face - didn't slow her down at all.  Also added points in her ammy showmanship with a second place!

 GOAL UPDATE!!  As of 7/24/09---
1. Neko's ROM --  Goal Achieved as of May 16!!!! Congrats Corinne & Neko!
2.  Birdie - first showmanship class, first riding class depending on her healing timeline.  Would be cool if she could ride in and win her 2 year old futurity like Neko did before her.  Update: June - Birdie places 5th in her first showmanship class, will be showing AQHA in next month.
3. Neko will show over fences this year. (We actually switched to poles/barrels for versatility so haven't been to any jumping shows yet, but she is showing games now too). UPDATE: Haven't been to a show with jumps yet, but Neko has two wins and a handful of placings in barrels and poles - and we have yet to once practice at home...)
4. Neko to have points in eq/horsemanship.  GOAL UPDATE: As of July 4, Neko has 6 wins of 11 attempts in Eq, 1 win of 1 horsemanship class!, Also Summer Circuit Champion TSQHA Eq. UPDATE 7/24: Neko has TWO ALL AROUNDS under her belt now, also won a buckle and another chair from TSQHA.
5. Congress!   Though Birdie probably won't get to ride at the twos because the nomination is in April I think (or early somewhere around that time), she will get to do threes unless something goes wrong.
6. Can't plan for Jake yet but would like his lessor to be aiming towards congress too. UPDATE: Lauren and Jake are doing eventing for Pony Club - Jake is jumping up to 4'6"!!!!  He is doing cross country courses at 3'6"-4'.
7. Get Birdie's vet bills paid off. GOAL UPDATE: Done!
8. Would like to try a new major show this year, maybe the Candy Apple Classic or one of the southern shows. Will depend on how the schedules with work are.  UPDATE: We decided to join at TSQHA instead so we can build up some PTO time (already have a week used for congress, let alone the other shows). Going back to Virginia in February (Spring Breakout)
9. We are thinking that as much as we enjoy the regional show, we might want to do a six day aqha show - it is in progress now to figure out which we can attend with work schedule but check back. We are planning something out of state (Rhonda would like us to come to the "beach show" in North Carolina so we are working on that!  But Birdie has been riding and not having problems, so of course we have to decide about a futurity instead!

10. Now that Neko is #1 ride, move up to some Ammy riding classes and stay consistent.  GOAL UPDATE: As of May 16, Neko is already pinning in the 3rds!  July:  Neko has WON and been in the placings/points for all but two classes all year.  UPDATE: Neko has two all around championships, multiple wins. Having a great year. She added new classes and even has wins in horsemanship

11. Neko Congress - showmanship and versatility class-- nominations paid as of July -- working!

13. Planning to hold off on the world qualifying until after the July start date for 2010. Then planning on making a run for Neko!