Top Ten Reasons 2010 Was a Great Year...

Last year, I created my first top ten list in response to the media's bashing of 2009. Things must be looking up, cause the paper isn't so dire this morning.

Still, I thought I'd keep the tradition alive.

1. Travis graduated from Lane Community College with honors.
2. Baby Madge earned THREE Reserve Champion wins at two shows, and Maxine earned a Championship win at the trail show. As a result, I got to add a vest and a jacket to my growing collection of show clothes.
3. Thanks to my friend Emily, Maxine and I got past a big obstacle--the tippy bridge.
4. Travis got a job!
5. By organizing the Tree of Joy at work, I got to help a coworker provide gifts for more than 60 local kids.
6. I won my first top ribbons in Dressage--both English and Western--with Maxine.
7. I found a pair of fantastic English dress boots that fit my "man calves"--right out of the box!
8. My list of riding buddies expanded and I did more horsey campouts than ever.
9. Travis worked at two horse/mule/donkey shows--as an announcer and scribe--so that I could afford to show my girls.
10. Win or lose (not 'til 2011), the Oregon Ducks are in the championship! Yeah, I'm a fan.
    

And now, here are my goals for 2011:

1. To take Madge on her first camp trip, which means her first overnight stay in a campground corral.
2. Canter on Maxine--bareback.
3. Get Madge trained well enough that I can drive her without a header.
4. Go for a trail ride at least once a month--rain or shine!
   

Now, it's your turn to create your own lists!

Photo: Riding on a crisp winter day.