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have much to do with championship flowers. The only way to control
rides, and actually plays a very small
“No dream comes true
weeds it to jerk them out at the root
part in our top scores for hunters,
until you wake up and go
the instant they poke their heads out
jumpers and equitation competitors.
to work on it.”
of the ground.
Everyone wants to “be lucky”
and walk out with the blue. So if It is no different with nerves and
everyone in the class is wishing for
CONTROL your focus...
random thoughts. The instant they
that little bit of luck floating around
Long before they actually enter the
rear their heads, set your mind
in the air sometimes, who do you
ring, riders have learned the focus
to controlling and getting rid of
think will actually be the winners? It
to control their thoughts and that
them. Close your mind and shut the
will be the riders who set luck to the
reflects into their attitude. They
door the very second it goes there.
side and prepare themselves for the
have become masters at not allowing
Practice looking at the flowers of
mental ride it takes to win.
negative thoughts to run randomly
your mind and the beauty of the ride
around their heads as they warm up
ahead of you and the excitement of
CHECK your input...
and prepare for the class. They have
the competition.
Leave negative thoughts and
achieved the ability to keep butterflies
emotions at the gate. It is not possible
and nerves on check. They have
COMMIT to a way of reacting...
to stop the feelings that come flitting
conquered focus and follow through
Without commitment nothing will
into your mind at any given time but
to the point it is second nature.
change and one ride will feel like the
you can check your reaction to them. last and slowly slip to imperfection
When the thought enters your mind,
Watch the back gate of the Grand
instead of striving toward the best.
replace it with a bit of self talk that
Prix warm up here in California and
The ability to change the way you
gets you back on track. Successful
you will see one of our very top riders
handle nerves and feeling must start
players have a keyword, action or
control their focus. This rider, every
with a commitment to change how
thought that will bring their mind to
single Grand Prix class, steps to the
we look at them. They are certainly
something that is positive.
warm up ring, stops and takes a very
our friends in the show ring as they
deep breath while she sits there for
keep us sharp and keep us driving
One of the very top riders goes again
a few moments watching the others
to be better and better. They do not
through a check of his girth, the
warm up. When she is ready she will
need to control you, you can control
horses bonnet and bridle just before
walk into the ring, pick up her trot
them.
he enters the ring. It has become a
and start the warm up. Every single
ritual with that rider. Every class
class is the same, a chance to clear
Find your own way and habits of
is the same and every class just as
the cob webs and start with a clear
changing feelings. Talk to your trainer,
important as the last. It has given
intent.
other competitors, your friends. But
that rider a mental plan to go into it is essential, in becoming one of the
the ring set to win with a clear mind greats of the show jumping world, to
and his mind remembers that.
“When you are in a state
learn and practice attitude and focus.
of confusion, think of
The steps are straight forward, take
you mind as a confused
a deep breath, have a great time and
neighborhood. Who wants
make the five “C’s” a part of your
to live there? Move out!”
life.
Choose, Check, Control, Close
CLOSE your mind...
and Commit. See you in the winners
Fleeting thoughts swirl through our
circle!
minds all the time just looking for a
place to take root. It’s like a garden
“The great news is that even
where the weeds are trying to take
in the worst of situations; your
over. Weeds are strong and powerful,
attitude is something you can
especially when out of control. They
always control.” Lee J Colan
will choke off the most beautiful
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