So many exciting changes have come about, new horses, new goals, new students, etc. and while changes are new and exciting, I am so happy to have the "old" in my life too, longtime, loyal students, friends and family, and a fabulous facility we have been able to operate out of.
Lucy has been redirected into becoming a straight dressage horse for 2014. My goal is to move up to PSG and I1, qualify for Regionals and then qualify for Nationals and then finish her training by adding her one tempis, passage and piaffe. So, since I am new to the sport of "straight" dressage, well not new, but actually pursuing some serious goals, I am learning a lot about the sport. What is a good show, what is a good goal, what is too soon, how do you do this and that, who to talk to etc. This is all stuff I know in Eventing, so I am more then excited to become more knowledgable and skilled in the upper level dressage. We have been working hard on our changes, fours, threes, twos and started ones...well now we are back to just schooling the change, when I ask for it, not when Miss Lucy thinks they should be done. Reschooling, retraining, taking steps backwards in order to take leaps forwards. I'm not gunna lie, it's a blast!
So although "Liz Lund" is focusing her horse on Dressage in 2014, we are still, in fact, Liz Lund EVENTING. Yes, our main focus is Eventing. Financially I need to put purchasing my next mount on hold, so I am aiming my sites on working with what I have, which is what we all have to do at times.
My LLE students have all been making huge progress over this awful, cold, snowy winter. They are very committed to the program and taking the steps to further their knowledge and experience. We have some riders surfacing this season on new horses and some on the same horses but with their aim to move up a level. We have a couple students working hard to try and qualify for a CCI1* by the end of the year so they can work at making the USEA Area IV Young Rider's 2015 team. I have a few working towards attending the USPC Pony Club Championships and Festival, some working on getting out to their first event, almost all the kid's are working towards their next rating whether it is the D! or C3. Most importantly everyone is working on their own personalized goals in which they want to accomplish. I am working on becoming a well rounded equestrian by now trying to conquer the highest level of the DQ world I can. Who knows, maybe my next horse will be a jumper so I can hit up all the phases of Eventing and come back with a vengeance! All in due time.
I have learned a lot about myself, my business and other's through my experiences and I couldn't be more thankful for everything I have. It can be easy to look at so and so on the other side of the fence and say I want that, how come they have that, what am I doing wrong, but you can't always judge a book by its cover. You don't know how they got there, you don't know what they gave up and you don't know that you really want to be them. Live everyday to the fullest and appreciate what you have. If you want something more, set a realistic goal and make a plan on how to reach it.
I have become more involved in my side business as a consultant for Rodan + Fields Dermatologists. Again, what a great opportunity and experience. If anyone knows me...like really I don't think I had washed my face in a sink, or well I guess besides when in the shower, since, um ever. Now, quite religiously, I wash my face two times a day AND I use sunscreen. As you know, I love to be tan, and I can quite easily get tan, BUT what is weird, I swear after you turn 25, you start to notice things you swore were never going to happen to you. That extra 10 lbs, that wrinkle, those dark spots, wait what? I can't just eat whenever I want, drink whatever I want, and not just stay skinny? And young? Weird. We are all aging all the time, so I found these amazing products that help! I desperately needed something to help reverse that sun damage to my face, those freckles were getting out of control and I had an odd pigment darkening on my upper lip, no not hair, my skin. So, my friend Michelle was selling the products, and I jumped right in and started selling as well. I received all of my products and began using the Reverse Regimen right away. Within two weeks I saw results. Never. Looked. Back.
Now I am not really a sales person, although I could probably buy and sell horses all day long, I have gotten quite good. It really is quite easy when you stand behind your products 100%. It really is like any business. My horses for example, I stand completely behind my LLE business, I am a horse trainer, instructor, coach, rider, etc. I am good, I know my strengths and weaknesses. I continue to better myself. I continue to accept help and ask for help when needed. I strive to learn from past mistakes and I can count on good results. I do well, my student's do well. I would have to say maybe I know something or maybe something I am doing is working. Well there ya go. When you test something out and you get good results, stick with it. A skin care regimen is like a riding program. If it works, and you're doing well, keep doing it.
Anyway onto fun stuff! I have had a few great trips this year. I feel I have been all over horse shopping for clients. Chicago, Virginia, Flordia...it has been quite fun! Congrats to Emily Shirley and her new horse Raptor Force purchased from Lainey Ashker. They have been doing wonderful together since he arrived on January 1st. I also went to Nashville for Rodan + Fields and Seatlle, WA to visit my older sister, Kiki, with my little sister Maggie.
I am really looking forward to an awesome year! Again, setting a goal to keep blogging as much as possible. Set your goals just out of reach and reach for the stars!
Can't wait for the snow to melt!
