The motivation came in the form of two inspiring people … one I knew and the other I didn’t know.
The first is the story of Kirstie Ennis. I didn’t know Kirstie. She just received the Pat Tillman award at the ESPYs. That award honors a service-oriented individual with strong ties to the athletic community. Pat Tillman had been an NFL football player who enlisted in the military after 911. He fell from friendly fire.
Kirstie turned to outdoor sports and launched a nonprofit after losing her leg in combat. She walked 1000 miles across Britain for a charity event and earned 3 gold medals in swimming at the Warrior Games. She’s now working to summit all 7 of the world’s highest mountain peaks.
But it’s what I heard her say during an interview that really moved me and that I want to share with you:
“Embrace failure. Rest a moment less. Endure a fraction more. Make peace with whatever your pain may be.”
Whew … that last one … “Make peace with whatever your pain may be,” really hits home for me.
My second source of inspiration came from remembering my lovely cowgirl friend, Audrey Griffin who I got to know through the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. If you recall, I just interviewed her a few weeks ago. If you haven’t seen that interview, I suggest you go watch it. It’s not long and Audrey will inspire you. It’s on our website. It’s under the Personal Performance tab. The title is “A Roman Riding Rockstar”.
Audrey recently passed on to a heavenly life as she loped her favorite horse across a beautiful Santa Ynez, California ranch. She was helping with the cattle on one of her favorite ranches.
And for all of Audrey’s amazing feats in Roman Riding, it’s not those things that inspire me to be more and do more.
It’s because of who she was as a person.
She was a bright light, angel-like. She made everyone feel like they were the most important person on the planet. And when you were with her you felt safe somehow, yet lifted up. Pure joy sparkled in her eyes.
And here’s my takeaway that I want to share with you.
We all want to do “things” with our horses, some of us show, some don’t, and those are all good things. Horses are truly a true bright light in our lives. They teach us so much.
But beyond the external accomplishments with horses, it’s who you are becoming as a person because of your life with horses… and the lives you touch along the way that matter most.
Audrey inspired me when she was here … and she continues to inspire me now after her passing. She taught me that it’s always possible to grow and reach for the things that truly matter.
So, my friend, keep nourishing yourself with inspiration … and of course, our horses do that for us, too.
And know that you, too inspire others in your world just by who you are … not what by what you do that’s seen on the outside.
20 / Sport and Trail Magazine
BARBRA SCHULTE
Is My Horse
D
uring the past few weeks, I had two experiences that motivated me to keep reaching and stay on track with the things that matter most with horses … and in living.
The motivation came in the form of two inspiring people … one I knew and the other I didn’t know.
It’s not an easy answer because there are a lot of variables involved.
My first response is, “What do you think?” And by that I mean, “What’s your gut feeling about your horse?”
Sometimes a horse is just not a good fit for the rider. It’s kind of like (I always laugh about this) all men would not want to be married to me! Ha!
Riding a horse is a partnership. If the partners are not compatible for reasons not clearly defined, the partnership might go south. Sometimes the rider loses confidence or feels guilty for having those feelings.
That doesn’t make the horse “bad.” Of course not. He’s just not the “right” horse for the partnership. And that’s okay.
Other times a rider absolutely adores a horse, but the training level is not adequate for the intended purpose of the horse. Again, it’s no one’s fault. But so often riders think they are doing something “wrong” and lose confidence. It’s just not the right dance partner for the dance the rider wants to do.
In a different situation, other people may not believe that a horse is “right” but the rider loves the horse and wants to train his or her own horse. That’s perfectly fine, too. However, the rider needs to make sure he or she sets up needed mentoring and feedback. Without intensely needed guidance, things go downhill and again the rider loses confidence … unnecessarily. Things however were not set up for success.
I have two main suggestions regarding your horse.
The first … make sure you are safe. Don’t force things when in your heart you know you are at risk and on the edge of safety.
Secondly, set yourself up for success. What are your goals? Where does your horse’s talent, past training, and health fit into that equation? Who is going to mentor you either directly or indirectly?
Reflect on your situation and decide how you can set both you and your horse up for success.
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
Right for
Me?
Barbra Schulte is a Professional Cutting Horse Trainer, Personal Performance Coach, Author, Clinician, and Equine Consultant.