I have to admit, there aren’t many hills I’m willing to die on when it comes to how you navigate your way through your equestrian journey. I know that what works for me, might not work for you, and what works for some, may not work for others. I’m a BIG believer in sharing the key ingredients, but that everyone has to figure out their own personal recipe for success.

That is, except maybe for this.

If there is anything I will swear by until I’m blue in the face, it’s the practice of focusing on the process, not the results.

I’m a natural goal setter, and over the years, I’ve set my sights on some seemingly unattainable things (at the time).

✅Run a marathon
✅Complete an Ironman
✅By an investment property
✅Write a book
✅Run my own business
⌛Turn my six-figure salary into a side hustle to my media business… this one is still in-progress (thanks for being here and witnessing part of “the process”..)

Enough about me.

Let’s put some context around some horse-girl-goals.

If you’re planning to show this year, and your only goals for the show are to win, or to be in the ribbons, your putting yourself at risk of feeling some serious disappointment if those goals aren’t achieved. And I’d be willing to bet my entry fees that you have A LOT to recognize and celebrate, even if you don’t come home with that blue ribbon (or red if you’re Canadian eh).

If you struggle to find goals that aren’t tied to results, you’re not alone. It can take some practice.

Here are a few that might resonate with you and that maybe you could borrow while you think of your own (I’m good at sharing and don’t mind if you use some of mine…)

1. Remember my course each time I go in the ring
2. Land all the leads / get all the lead changes
3. Get all the correct strides in the line – no adding, no leaving one out
4. Have a focal point beyond each jump which will help me keep my eye up
5. When things go wrong, I will keep my focus and not let the one bad jump derail the rest of my plan
6. Remember to BREATHE (lol) on course – I will take a deep, resetting breath in a corner
7. Have a productive warm up where I get to the rings in-gate with time to spare (vs rushing there)
8. Find my own spot in the flat class and learn not to get caught in a crowd with the other horses
9. Watch at least one of the bigger classes to observe the riders
10. Discover a routine that works: when to arrive, when to get on, the warm up routine… so I can begin to repeat it
11. At the in-gate, I’m going to verbalize my plan to my coach that includes at least 3 details that are NOT a jump (ie; pick up my canter on the rail beside the white vertical, balance in the [specific] corner, use X as my focal point, turn inside X to get to Y, open up the stride to get to X)
12. Use one of these mental strategies – visualization, deep breathing, pre-show rituals, physical warm up, affirmations (positive self-talk), being present – and find ONE that helps me manage nerves and feel settled throughout the day

Those are A LOT of examples, if you use any ONE of those, at the end of the day you’ll have something to acknowledge as a win.

Here’s the real punchline.

Are you ready for it?

Once you start thinking like this, once you start breaking down your ride, and your show, to focus on the PROCESS, not only will you cultivate a mindset focused on the positive, but your confidence will grow as you recognize the progress you’re making, and then…. the RESULTS will follow.

My book, So You’re Going To A Horse Show? is packed with strategies for setting achievable, empowering goals that will make your show experience truly unforgettable.

So You’re Going To A Horse Show? will guide you through the ins and outs of horse showing leaving you feeling confident and allowing you to focus on what’s important – your goals, and your experience.

Don’t let stress and overwhelm steal the show. Let’s make this your most exciting and memory-making season yet.

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