Listen to this post right here.

The summer is gone and the horse shows are mostly over. Now is the time to make an effort and review how your summer went. Take a tally of what went well.

Your achievements

And

Your shortcomings.

Don’t be afraid to itemize what didn’t go so well. If you write it down it may help you understand why your goals weren’t realized and what you can change for nest season.

For most competitive riders moving up to “the next level” is their focus. To check the boxes that will help them get there. What they have to realize is that getting there is less about the outcomes of the shows and more about the HOW and the STEPS to get there.

Your summer schedule probably held a shopping list of horse shows you wanted to attend.

With the intention of getting points to get you to the championships. Nothing wrong with that. 

BUT

In order to get those points you have to be understanding of how to get there and how to ride to be successful to get those points.

Getting to the end goal is more than getting points and getting to the championships. It is about the process of improving your riding and performance so you are getting the points.

Download this Worksheet

Use the free downloads to help you identify your training priorities.

Where Are You Now  the pdf download here.

Or if you would rather fill it in a word document – download Where Are You Now and fill it in right on your computer.

Are you stuck and want to get unstuck from the doldrums of your training? Or do you not know how to proceed? then try this exercise!

Take out a sheet of paper and write down, on the left hand side, where you are now. It may take the shape of ‘riding once per week’, jumping 2’6″, or performing a certain dressage movement.

On the right hand side identify where you want to be. This could be ‘riding 5 times per week’, jumping 3′, and performing more dressage movements.

Then in the middle put down some steps you need to take to get you to your destination on the right hand side of the page. This can include things like

• securing a ride to the stable with friends or family so you can ride more often,
• getting a job so you can hire a coach which can help you and your horse jump higher,
• getting a more experienced horse which can perform the movements you would like to do.

You will find by taking a few minutes to write down these goals, the way to get them or the steps required, will be easier to identify. 

This will help you see where your training priorities are.  So often we just float through our training and never really identify what it is we want to achieve, or the steps necessary to get there.

So I ask you to take the Equestrian Ridge Skill Builders Challenge and download your goals and find out what you need to do to achieve your horse related goals.

These steps that you have identified are the day-to-day training sessions that will catapult you into the success you want to achieve. You will however, need to break down what is needed to get your best performance and the skills required.

How to Identify Your Goals

For example, to get to the championships of your division, break down what is required. If you are riding in a Jumping competition, break down what skills are required to ride a proper course.

This will include all the technicalities of jumping the:

• Height and width required. In order to get to the proper height and width you may have to do these exercises:
  • Increased strength
    • Caveletti, gymnastics, hillwork, long slow distance, speed work.
  • Longitudinal suppleness
  • Rhythm
• Roll back turns. Some of the things required to do a balanced roll-back turn may be:
  • Suppleness
  • Turning
  • Balance
  • Rhythm
• Long run to a single fence. Often required on course. Some of the things you must do well to ride a single fence are:
  • Training your eye
  • Straightness
  • Balance
  • Rhythm
• Combinations
• Water jump
• Liverpool
• You get the idea.

In addition to the course, there are other considerations. The:

• Footing
  • Sand, all weather, turf, grass
• Crowd
  • Parents, siblings, spouse, girl/boy friend
• Indoor/outdoor
  • Lighting, time of day, weather conditions
• Time of the year
• Time of day
• You get the idea.

THen there are:

• The horse and their care and consideration.
• The rider and their psychological considerations.

WHAT skills do you need to practice and master? Can you identify where you should put in the practice?

 WHAT are your strengths and weaknesses? Take an inventory. And start planning for your next season.