A Monday Morning Quarterback is traditionally someone who after the
event, offers advice or criticism concerning decisions made by others. In this case, however, GoHorseShow.com contributor and Sport Consultant,
Kirsten Farris of The Equestrian Athlete, praises 2010 AQHYA World
Champion Carey Nowacek and observes why her pre-game strategy put her on
top.
Monday Morning Quarterback: The Equestrian Athlete’s Observations on the 2010 Youth World Horsemanship Class
From what I could see on a very unstable live feed (I
was in a hotel that must have the slowest internet access on the planet) the level
of competition in the Horsemanship class was deep and tough! Based on the results and the behind-the-scenes GoHorseShow.com story from Carey Nowacek’s win, here are some observations from a Sport Consultant’s point of view.
Carey Nowacek Is A Winner
All I
can say is WOW! From a performance strategy standpoint, this was a home run on
many levels. What are the odds of a person in a plain black shirt who has never
made the finals on a horse known as “Lugnut” winning the class? After reading
interviews with Carey Nowacek, and hearing about her strategy, it is not surprising
that she came out on top. Here are some of the keys that went into her
preparation and performance.
Key #1: Riding for Texas A&M taught her that it isn’t about being a
great rider on a great horse, it’s about being a great rider on any horse
Riders
are confident because they believe that they can handle anything that comes
their way. If you want to blast your confidence through the roof, introduce some
uncertainty into your practice sessions. Ride a horse that is less broke than
yours, or if you tend to lose focus, ride with distractions all around you.
Wind, tractors, horses running and playing in the turnout pen, and having
horses being lunged in the arena are all great things to have going on while
you are practicing. The more distractions the better.
Key #2: Use shows similar to a “Major Goal Show” to prepare
Coming
into a big show with a few wins behind you is also a huge confidence booster.
Shows such as the Texas Classic and the Redbud are large shows and using them
as your ‘warm-up’ shows allows you to get used to the type of schedule,
environment and level of competition at a World Championship show. When you are
successful at those shows, you build momentum and confidence for the shows that
you are peaking for. If you have the opportunity and you are setting sights on
a World Show as you ‘Major Goal’ show, you will want to plan your show schedule
around as many big shows as you can.
Key #3: Her trainer gave her great but simple advice before her
pattern
Carey’s
trainer, Brad Jewett told her, “Ride your whole pattern.” Having a simple theme
that sums up how you need to ride is the best way to maintain your focus
without getting stuck
in the details. Enough said.
The Bling Thing
I
realize this topic has probably gotten more attention than it needs, but I see
a very interesting strategy in the whole ‘Shirt Alert of 2010’. Carey said she made
a decision long before the show started that she would wear a plain black shirt
in the finals. Now that custom shirts are the norm, unless you are going to get
a battery operated shirt with blinking lights, it is difficult to stand out in
a sea of sparkles.
By doing something completely different, she definitely got
noticed. Not only that, if she visualized her patterns before the show even
started, I would bet she saw herself in a plain black shirt,
which would presuppose she made the finals. On top of all of that, I get the
feeling that she bumped up her riding a notch since she knew the bling in her pattern
had to come from her ride, not her shirt. The fact that she and Lindsey
McMullen, who took the bronze, were in plain shirts may or may not start a
trend, but it should put to rest the endless comments that all a person needs
is an expensive horse and custom made shirt to win.
Youth Riders Moving on to Amateur Division
This
was the last year of youth for many great riders who will be joining the Amateur
Ranks in 2011. All I can say is Thank God I am going to be in Select next year!
Kirsten Farris is a monthly contributor to GoHorseShow.com and a Certified Sport Consultant, Certified Equestrian
Fitness Trainer, and the Author of The Workbook for the Equestrian
Athlete – A Guide to Showring Success. For more information contact her
at: kirsten@equestrianathlete.com
© 2010
