The Balanced Equestrian by Kelleen Simons |
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Updated
October 15, 2006
Staying on Top: Five Strategies
for the Competitive Equestrian
By Kelleen Simons, LCSW, Life Coach
For the competitive equestrian, staying
motivated and enthusiastic about riding is key to staying on top.
After years of riding, it is not uncommon for some people to experience
times characterized by feelings of dissatisfaction or boredom. These
feelings may sneak up without warning, and are often accompanied
by confusion and uncertainty about what to do.
Do you have strategies in place to prevent this from happening?
Ask yourself the following questions:
- How much variety do you incorporate into your time with your
horse? It's easy to fall back on the same old routine and get
stuck in a rut. How can you change things up a bit? Try something
new: get out of the ring, trail ride, work cattle, move your jumps
around, fine tune your horse's ground manners, ride at a different
time of day, do some conditioning work. Not only will you feel
refreshed, but your horse will, too.
- When was the last time you took scheduled time off from riding?
Allowing yourself 1-2 weeks off your horse a couple of times each
year may be just what you need. Use this time to vacation, relax
or pursue an interest for which you don't normally have time.
If you feel like you must keep in touch with your equestrian side,
use the time to do something other than riding: review videos
of your riding, read a good book, research your horse's nutrition
program, take an equine massage course, volunteer at a horse show.
The goal is to return to riding energized with renewed interest.
- Are you open to new ideas and perspectives? It's not unusual
to outgrow methods, techniques, or instruction that once worked
well. Some easy ways to open up to new ideas: audit or participate
in a clinic, read magazine articles or books on your style of
riding, view some educational videos. Then incorporate what you
learn into your everyday riding to prevent yourself from getting
stuck in a rut.
- Are you emotionally attached to the outcome? Riding, unlike
a lot of other sports, has many factors over which we have little
control. If we only enjoy the moments when we are winning or having
a great ride, overall dissatisfaction with our riding will be
inevitable. The key to satisfaction is being able to enjoy the
experience of riding, no matter what the outcome, all the while
maintaining enough focus on your goals to keep moving forward.
- Is there a healthy balance between your riding and other areas
of your life? If you have worries about your job, finances, relationships,
etc., they will hang over your head like a black cloud, affecting
your ability to truly enjoy and focus on your riding. Spend some
time addressing these concerns and you will find that your satisfaction
with life, including your riding, will improve dramatically.
Kelleen Simons, LCSW, Life Coach, authors a free monthly newsletter
for equestrians seeking greater balance, satisfaction, and success
in all areas of life.
For information, visit www.TheBalancedEquestrian.com.
Reprinted with permission.
Copyright - Kelleen Simons, 2003, all rights reserved |
