09/30/2024
It’s almost Futurity day!! (November 15th!) so here are ten things I wish someone told me!
1. Trust your training. Don’t let the date make you push your horses faster than they are ready to go. Remember, you’re in this for the long haul… not just the one show.
2. Even though we all look up to those top trainers, they can be beat, even by someone one in left field. You never know you can, until you do, and everyone has to start somewhere!
3. If your runs don’t go as planned… regroup. Not all horses come out the gate swinging. Some need a little time to settle into the new routine.
4. A bad exhibition or run does not define your horse. Sway ducked in her slot race exhibition, but I trusted my training and she came through when I needed her. 🦄 If something just doesn’t feel right, rule out pain first, always.
5. Most importantly, don’t forget you can’t train your horse at the show… of course we can all make small adjustments, but your horse is either ready or not, and no amount of drilling on one is going to change the outcome. A horse can only put out, what we as the trainers put in. So make sure your self reflection game is on point.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and if that doesn’t go your way, ask someone else. Never stop learning, we owe it to our horses to be the best we can be. If you don’t understand something, seek the knowledge. Ask why. I know those around me get tired of how much I ask “why.” 😅
7. Don’t forget this is supposed to be fun. It’s always a struggle, training, soundness, competitions, but when it all comes together, it’s sure worth it.
8. Help others. Even one positive vibe can change someone’s day.
9. Remember you can’t do this alone. It takes a stellar support system. I am very grateful to my vet, Dr Lee of Double X Equine and my farriers Cutter and CJ Holloway, Kim Gillepsie my Chiropractor and all the others that make this ride a little more like a Mercedes’ and a little less like an old Bronco. 😅 Communication is Key.
10. Don’t be held back by self imposed limitations. If you want something bad enough, put in the work, the extra time, the miles, and accomplish what you set out to do. There are a million people with a million excuses, and there are a million more doing it, with everything against them. I promise, YOU can do it. Write down your goals and CRUSH THEM.
