April 09 midwest horse digest Page 15
breakfast! (A donut and a can of soda are not strategy and goals. to impress everybody watching the class but
nutritious.) You can’t expect your horse to do that is impossible. Stop caring what ‘every-
well if he hasn’t eaten so why deny yourself a
Control Your Circle of Influence: In any
body’ thinks and use that time to focus on
nutritious meal? Wear comfortable clothes and
aspect of life, only you determine who can
improving your performance. Always remem-
shoes to run around and warm-up your horse.
influence your behavior. All that matters once
ber, if you are proud of yourself and the way
Save your clean boots, hat and show shirt for
you enter the show ring is one team, you and
you communicated with your horse, than your
the show ring. Keep out of the sun and take a your horse. All your other relationships (moth-
competition was a success! Blue ribbons are
break whenever you can. er, boyfriend, barn buddies), should cease the
great, but they aren’t the reason we fall in love
minute you enter the warm-up ring. Learn to
with our horses.
ignore the rail chatter. If you need a rail coach,
ask one, positive, person to be there for sup-
GOOD LUCK & RIDE SAFE!
port. I know from experience that nothing is
more frustrating than having a Mom yell smile
Jennifer Lindgren has been an All-Breed
when you are doing all you can to keep it
Judge since 1985. She is an experienced com-
together. If your boyfriend or Grandma makes
petitor who has earned Regional and national
you nervous and they aren’t willing to skip the
awards in Halter, Western Equitation and
show, ask them to leave you alone to concen-
Hunter. She loves all breeds of horses and
trate while you are getting ready, warming up,
keeps her private collection in Grant Park, Il.
and competing. When competing, we all want
Contact: jenlind22@msn.com
Copyright 2009 by Jennifer Lindgren
Amanda Beall, age 10, crates a quiet
moment amidst the chaos in the warm-up
ring to think about her upcoming class.
Learn to shut out the distractions and focus
only on the task before you. Photo cour-
tesy: Laura Beall.
Give Your Horse and Yourself some ‘Down
Time’: Bring along a favorite book or CD and
after all your chores are done, relax for a few
minutes before your class. Allow your horse to
relax, too. Bring enough hay for him to eat.
Once you are tacked up for the class, take a
quiet little walk alone with your horse, away
from parents and friends. Tell him what you are
nervous about and what your plan is to over-
come it. Might sound silly, but it works. If you
can’t get away from the chaos, take a quiet
moment for yourself to think about your ring
Elizabeth DeSarle knows that a happy rider
creates a happy horse and a winning image.
Leave all your frustrations, nerves, and inse-
curities at the in-gate. Photo courtesy:
Elizabeth DeSarle.
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