This week I received my Long Term Training Plan back from
the USEF. For those of you that don’t
know about this program yet; the United States Equestrian Federation is trying
to assist committed junior and young riders to achieve their long term goals in
our sport. They have knowledge and
resources to help riders to focus, plan, gain knowledge and guidance. The monitored program for now is limited by
invitation to the top three junior and top three young riders in the
country. There is a self-monitored
version as well. Furthermore, I today
would advise and direct any one to follow the same steps and create your own
similar plan. Whether it is on USEF
paper or not the theory to help your success is universal.
The first step
for the plan is to set realistic goals.
What is a realistic goal? Well if
you are riding first level this year it might be unrealistic and even
undesirable, for example to jump to fourth next year. Not only will you be disheartened if you fail
to achieve the goal, but you may fail to see how great riding a very successful
second is because of this. Second, set
specific time limits. You can make one
week goals, one month goals, three month goals, one year goals, and even very
long term goals like three or five years.
First start with where you want to be in those time frames. When I wrote mine I started with the farthest
time period and worked in. For example,
I want to make a respectable run for the 2016 Olympics. So in 2016 I had to be riding and competing
GP. To be viable as a possible choice I
would have to do respectably in 2015 at the Pan Am games, that meant in 2014
Brentina cup and competing Intermediare. Finally, in working backward that
meant this year competing in Young riders.
The next step was
to speak to my coach about the factors necessary to achieve these goals. First, is my horse capable of riding at these
levels? I am lucky enough that he
is. My only concern is his age. He is 14 this year. So for him to be 17 at the Olympics is asking
a bit much. However, I can increase the
probability of this by maximizing on not only treatment but prevention (or
delaying) of many of the old age issues of horses. This meant looking at diet, medical
treatments like regular massage, chiropractic and other treatments not as
merely a response to issues, but for regular care. The next question was my
training schedule. Is this a feasible
track for me? Jeremy said yes but that I
had outside issues I could work on or build to help increase the
likelihood. I have had to increase my
outside workouts. I started lifting
weights, and I have become a queen of planks to develop my core.
Next, what extra
training can I get above and beyond my lessons?
I began looking for opportunities that were near, or funded by
foundation grants. I apply for
everything I can in order to increase my knowledge, to meet other young people
like me who can share their information with me. I applied this year for the International
Dream Riders program. Every day I try to
visualize, the way Dr. Susser taught me to see myself receiving notification
that I have been awarded that opportunity.
I reapplied to EDAP. I asked my
big sis Genay Vaughn to let me stay at her house so I could audit the Jan
Ebeling clinic.
Next, I had to
break down the goals. If I wanted to be
competitive at young riders this year, what did I need to work on? So then with my trainer I reviewed Sjapoer
and my weaknesses and strengths. He has
amazing changes and power. We designed
my training program around those things.
Then each week when we work on lessons, I know what we are doing and
why. It keeps me focused and helps me to
push myself when I know the goal. You
can see what you want and realize that each day is a step closer to those
goals. Finally, having a short and long
term plain with defined attainable goals gives you a list with milestones to
mark off. This reinforces what you have
achieved and builds a cycle of success.
So I say get out some paper and start on your plan today!
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