I have always been goal oriented. It’s really difficult for me to just do something for the sake of doing it. I find that once I come up with a specific objective, I am better able to focus on and complete the individual tasks that will help me reach my goal. As I mentioned previously in my last blog post for YHF, my riding goals have changed over the last 4 years. Four years ago it was about going faster, jumping higher and finding the handiest route. Now, I just try to get in the saddle twice a week and maybe squeeze in a few lessons each month. If I can consistently do that, I am happy. No matter what my riding goals are, however, “stuff” always comes up and threatens to steer me off course. It could be a rainy day, a sick child, a sleepless night, a rescheduled appointment, a sore horse or even just my own negativity. To get past these obstacles, I have found the following mantras have helped me stay on course.
I try to find the bright side. So, maybe it rained this week and the ring was closed on my available riding days. The bright side on these dreary days is that I am able to get other, non-horsey things done, which further means I may be able to ride more easily the next week. Maybe I can even get an extra day in there, depending on how much I got done during the rain.
Or maybe my kids are sick or an appointment got rescheduled, throwing off my barn schedule. When things like these happen, I try to be resourceful. At my barn there are wonderful Junior riders that are quick to help me out and hack Chloe around. I know it isn’t the same as me riding and getting myself stronger/better, but at least it is keeping Chloe in mental and physical shape. I also know she is being groomed and treated like a princess.
Since I ride less than I want to, I try to make every ride count. However, I really struggle with this one. I have learned to try not to get defeated by a slowdown in my progress. Even if I miss 2 of the last 4 scheduled rides for whatever reason, at least I still got two rides in. I am still moving forward and in the right direction. I am still moving towards my goal. Sometimes I am really good at giving Chloe a quality hack and making her stretch and work. Other times, I sort of just plod around aimlessly and think of the many things I need to do that week. My new goal for this fall is to really try to focus on what I am doing, be completely in the moment when I am in the saddle and to make each ride count.
It is really easy to feel defeated or to not appreciate your progress. Something about our brains tends to focus on the bad over the good. I have found that if you write it down each day, you have a better chance at remembering the good. You can write down what you worked on, what you want to work on next and anything memorable about your time with your horse. It is sort of fun to see where you have been and it makes you better appreciate what you do have.
I’d love to hear your suggestions and tricks for staying on course towards your goals. Comment below and share your story!
**Andrea Wise graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2007, where afterwards she spent 7 years as a commercial real-estate attorney. In 2012, she launched the equestrian company, Pony Glam, which makes and sells the only colored hoof dressing for horses. She is also the voice behind the new equestrian lifestyle blog, Horse Glam. Andrea lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband, Zach, two young children, cat and horse, Chloe.
