As 2014 closes out, it seems like everyone has their own version of accomplishments through the year. The H5 team had a lot that took place during the course of 2014 and while achieving many goals we still fell a little short in other areas. I will highlight a few in both categories here.
Achievements
- Another black belt added to the team. Daughter #1 (DNO) achieved her first black belt in November. It was a long multi-year journey and is quite the achievement.
- DNO completed a solid second season as a member of an equestrian drill team and made significant progress in her horsemanship.
- DNO also picked up 3 gun this year. Competing at the Generation 3, and Brownell’s Lady 3 Gun matches this year.
- We threw some 3 gun training into the mix with a Lady 3 Gun event in Ohio for DNO, and Laura. Then added another 3 gun tuning session to the mix while we were at the Thunder Games in RockCastle.
- Competed at the 3GN Midwest Regionals, and learned a ton from the event and my squad. Followed that up with the 22lr event during Thunder Week, and the Brownell’s Pro Am the following weekend.
- To close out the year, we added another horse to the stable. At some point we might need to trim down our hobbies.
Unachieved Goals
- Improve USPSA classification. Fell short on this one. While there was improvement, if you don’t put in the practice effort you don’t improve dramatically.
- Top 25 Pro-Am finish. Fell short here also. It was a pretty ambitious goal. But having the family along for the match, and trying to stay focused was a challenge. As a result I really “bombed” two stages that hurt my overall performance. Best stage finish was 37th, so while I wasn’t close to achieving the goal I think it is attainable.
- More matches. I found out that I did not commit early enough in the fall of 2013 to make the more match function a reality in 2014. Well, I am “all in” for 2015 and looking forward to a busy schedule both locally and regionally.
- Weight Loss, Fitness, Flexibility. Age takes a toll, and I did not have as much success combating my nemesis during the year. This year it is a priority, and a foundation for being able to achieve (and survive) some of my other goals.
As we close out the year here at H5, I think that we had success and progress as a family and a team that outweighs the individual goal failures. It certainly was not a bad year and next year will be even better.
With that in mind, let’s close out 2014 with Patrick Kelly. The man with the musical rifle.
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