What’s your idea of Success?
Everyone needs to experience success to
feel encouraged. Without a ribbon in hand,
many exhibitors don’t feel satisfied. They
are sometimes referred to as perfectionists
who kill their own motivation. Everyone
requires the need to feel they are making
progress and having a positive effect. So
if the fun has gone out of competing, ad-
just your measuring stick. Measure instead
for effort, for risk taking, for skill devel-
opment. Success comes in many forms, so
don’t limit yourself to just blue ribbons.
Back to Square One
What drew you to horse showing in the
first place? In the beginning, what did you
most enjoy about horses? Chances are you
felt very privileged to be around them.
How lucky you are to be competing at this
horse show! How many others wish they
could do what you’re doing? Getting back
to the basic love of your sport can help
you feel grateful again. The joy is being
involved with something you love (and re-
member to thank your horse, because you
are a team and you’re doing this together).
A Change in Focus
If thinking about competitions and shows
never stops for you, burnout can occur,
and thinking can turn to obsession. It be-
comes a trap. You think if you just keep
turning it over in your head, you’ll im-
prove. You won’t.
Just as a muscle needs to strain then
relax to strengthen, your mind needs a
recovery period in order to function ef-
ficiently. Plan time to problem solve and
think about your performance and when
not to. When that focus switch is turned
off, it doesn’t necessarily mean your mind
is empty, just that there are no horsey
thoughts being entertained. Take time
to enjoy other things; listening to music
or hanging out with friends. Especially at
a horse show, you need times when the
switch is off to clear your head.
Calm Those Show Ring Jitters
Performance anxiety can diminish the en-
joyment of competition. Feeling appre-
hensive, the knot in your stomach and your
racing heart may have you wishing you
had just stayed home. If you can accept the
experience of butterflies as a normal part
of competitive life, their fluttering will not
escalate. Some anxiety is normal because
your body is changing in preparation for a
challenge. The next time you sense those
butterflies stirring, change your mindset
from: I’m feeling nervous, I can’t do this,
to: My body is making me sharper, help-
ing me prepare, and I’m going to be okay.
This one small change in your inner dia-
logue can improve your comfort level and
perfor