16 / Sport and Trail Magazine
BARBRA SCHULTE
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I recently received a question asking if “trying hard” to do well at a big show is a good idea. In this video, I explain why this usually doesn’t work the way we want it to work both in terms of results and the impact on our horse.
So, recently I received this question from Cindy:
“I tend to think I can perform better if I try hard—especially at a big show with lots of entries. I do remember the feeling last year of just showing and not knowing if we could win or not and then we did. It was a great surprise. Now I want it every time.”
Thank you, Cindy. I think you are not alone in wondering about this.
I’m going to answer your question by commenting first on a word you used. You said, “I tend to think I can perform better if I try hard.”
Cindy, here’s the deal. “Try” is an insidious little word. It makes us feel like we’re really going after it … but it has a little tinge of doubt … like ‘I’ll try, but I’m not sure; I did it before; I wonder if I can do it again; I really want it; surely I can.”
Now, it is good to “go for it” and be all in … and to put a lot of effort into showing … but the word “trying” lacks the detail you need.
What we want to do is focus on OUR job … get ourselves ready … get our horse ready and ride in a very calm, focused state of mind.
That job is the same whether we’re going for awesome results in a tiny show or at a big show. Your horse is looking to you for the same communications no matter what arena he’s in.
When we simply focus on our job in a calm, in the moment way, our best rides happen. In fact, that’s probably what happened last year when you said you just showed without knowing if you would win or not … and then you did.
You had zero expectations. You had zero focus on the outcome. I am guessing you focused only on your job.
Back to the “try” word. When we “try hard” we inadvertently focus on the result we want. We feel pressure, so we try harder. We want it.
And then, we put extra energy into trying to make it happen! We get tight and ride below our true skill level … and our horse looks at us and wonders, “Who is this?”
The key is to get you and your horse calm … and focused on the job at hand. Go for your best … excellence … and let the results take care of themselves.
I hope this helps, Cindy.
Barbra Schulte is a Professional Cutting Horse Trainer, Personal Performance Coach, Author, Clinician, and Equine Consultant.
recently received a question asking if “trying hard” to do well at a big show is a good idea. In this video, I explain why this usually doesn’t work the way we want it to work both in terms of results and the impact on our horse.
Barbra Schulte is a Professional Cutting Horse Trainer, Personal Performance Coach, Author, Clinician, and Equine Consultant.
Barbra has been involved with horses her entire life. Beginning in early childhood and continuing through college, she helped market and show many of her family’s 500 head of horses. She competed in western pleasure, reining, horsemanship, and cutting.
In 2000, Barbra was awarded the prestigious National Female Equestrian of the Year Award given by the American Quarter Horse Association in conjunction with the Women’s Sports Foundation. This honor recognized outstanding performance and leadership in a female equestrian. Candidates for the award spanned across all disciplines recognized by the American Quarter Horse Association.
In 2012 Barbra was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, one of the most prestigious honors possible for women equestrians. She was honored for all of her outstanding career accomplishments.
Today, Barbra continues to train and show cutting horses. At the same time, she is expanding her education business by continually providing new online and live informational training for riders of all disciplines (regarding mental and emotional skills) and cutting horse
enthusiasts. www.barbraschulte.com
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