A mantra is defined as a statement or slogan repeated frequently, and we know many riders and trainers have a special saying that inspires and motivates them. We asked many in the industry to share their mantra with us.
With the Congress coming up, we added an extra twist to the article to see if some may have a special saying that gets them through one of the longest and most demanding shows of the year. While many people will tell you that the Congress is their favorite show, there are sleepless nights and stress that go into the preparation for such a prestigious event.
Let’s find out what are some of the words of wisdom that many people use to remain positive in this sometimes tough and grueling industry.
Gavin Patterson – My horse show mantra is actually a quote from Buddha that helped me get through the Youth World Show and helped me focus on being in the moment. The quote is, “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” This quote makes you focus on what you need to do in the moment to get you to where you want to be in the future. It also keeps you in the mindset of “It’s just another horse show” rather than making a huge deal out of it and stressing you out more. 
Jadasa “Dasi” Jablonowski – My mantra in life is, “Do what you love.” I love riding horses and I love horse shows. Even if it means a lot of work and not much sleep, I enjoy every minute of it. The Congress is special for me because I meet so many people I love and I don’t see all year. I’m really looking forward to it and feel blessed to live the life I’m living!
Julie Voge – My favorite quote this time of year is, “The dream is free. The hustle is sold separately.”
Jenna Jacobs – Oh I have a few! Number one, “If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.” Two, “Practice like you never won, show like you’ve never lost.” This one is my favorite. Thirdly, “Pain is temporary, blue neck ribbons and Congress champion jackets last forever!”
Amy Smith – Anyone will tell you I can be OCD or as I like to say, “detail-oriented” when it comes to showing or my horse’s care. I like to do as much prep as I can myself. However, at the end of the day, my favorite mantra always has been, “It is what it is”. Once you’ve given your best, all you can do is accept what is done.
Tate Oakley – Something that I live by and definitely keep in mind for the Congress and World Show is, “It’s not the will to win, but the will to PREPARE to win.” Everybody wants to do well and get their name called, but no matter how good your horse is, how much money you spend, or who your horse trainer is, if you do not have the “will to prepare,” then you are not only cheating your horse, but yourself to be as prepared as you can be to enter the show pen.
Tammy Dyer – “Be kind to each other!”
Susan Roberts – Two quotes that I keep in my mind are, “Practice makes perfect,” and “Iron sharpens iron.” I believe that there is no substitute for practice. You have to ride before the shows and practice at the shows. You and your horse need to become as close to one being as possible. Getting in the show pen and surveying the ground and the rail is also very important. I also believe that surrounding yourself with good people with lots of talent, such as Rusty and Katie Green and team, is the key to success. Rusty uses this mantra all the time and it’s one of my favorites.
Beckie Peskin – I will make Robin (Frid) proud and say, “Ride one step at a time!” Perhaps not an inspirational quote, but great advice.
Courtney Coughlin – I have always loved the quote, “Wake up with determination and go to bed with satisfaction.” When preparing for Congress, (the busiest and often the most stressful show of the year for us), I always commit myself to doing the best I can do and fully preparing for whatever event I am showing in. Thankfully, I have always been a very self-motivated individual with a strong determination to succeed. Of course, we are all competitive when showing. However, I have learned to embrace all of my rides for what they are. I always try to first identify the positive aspects of my ride before considering the negatives. Now showing a green horse, I really strive to do this with each and every ride. I have spent time to learn my horse, proactively prepare before the show and ultimately be satisfied at the end. After all, this is my hobby and it is what I do for fun. Leading up to our largest horse show of the year, it is important to remember that dreams don’t work unless you do. Dream, work hard and be determined to succeed. I would like to wish all competitors at the 2016 All American Quarter Horse Congress the best of luck in this year’s competition.
Kristen Galyean – “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hours – his greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear – is that moment when he has worked his heart out in good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.” – Vince Lombardi. This quote embodies the hard work and emotion that goes into becoming a champion. It’s the late hours, the pure exhaustion, getting out of bed even though you’re sick as a dog to practice until it’s just right that separates the champions. At the end of the day, it’s not whether I win or lose but that I put my heart and soul into it and let the cards fall. Every time I leave the Congress, I leave exhausted and sick, but it’s worth it every time and I love every minute.
Melissa Maxwell – It’s a big show, that’s obvious. However, if you look around, it’s the same people that you’ve shown with all year. They are your friends, so what makes this show any different than the rest, other than all of your friends are in the same place at the same time? So here’s my game time pep talk: “You can show, or you can show up!” If you’re going to just go through the motions because you get a little intimidated, then you’re defeating the purpose of why you came. I have always told Ellexxah (her daughter), “Just go do your job.” You don’t have to change anything. If you’ve done your homework, just lay it out there and bring your best game. At the gate, tell your friends that you’ll “see em’ on the other side”. It’s not a life or death situation. We look at it more like a family reunion.
Heather Graft – We try to live by the motto, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” and we surround ourselves with a good team and great customers. Bigger shows like the Congress can wear you out in every way so having great people behind you makes you want to push harder. We also think you have to make some down time and have a little fun, even if it’s just getting off the show grounds to have a nice dinner with friends, every little bit helps to recharge your batteries.
Katie Grossnickle – I try to live by, “Life is always a daring adventure or nothing at all.” I’ve changed the original quote a little by using always since both of my horses’ names have “always” in it. Plus, being a vendor at Congress as well is definitely an adventure.
Tina Langness – “Preparation, organization, motivation, and inspiration!”
Cathrin Gutmann – One thing that happened when I showed my mare, Blue Couture, at the 2013 Congress is worth mentioning. I really loved showing this mare but she could have her quirks every now and then and it was our last class during this Congress, the Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. I just really wanted everything to be 
perfect and at the same time tried to not work myself up too much. When I got to the warm-up pen that day I borrowed someone’s stool to get on my horse and the top of it had something written on it: “Never let your fear decide your fate.” I even took a picture of it that day after I got on because I thought it fit that moment. Then, I warmed up, showed, and Sky and I won my first Congress Championship title. It was truly amazing and I’m thinking of that often when I go show.
Kaleena Weakly – This may sound crazy but I once heard that if you put positive vibes and vocalize your goals out into the universe, they will come back to you. So before our big shows in the fall like Congress and the World, I do this. I visualize and then vocalize our goals for those shows and how I dream of their outcomes to be. Being positive and goal orientated really helps.
Ann Myers – As the Congress begins to feel so huge and overwhelming, sit back and smile and remember to have fun. Over the years, I have seen so many people that look so sullen at the Congress as the tension gets to them. Some of them I couldn’t even rise a smile from with a cookie. The Congress is a horse show and showing should be fun.
Janae Bronson – Two things pop into mind: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” and “Show the horse you have today” or “Ride what you got!” With a horse as growthy as The Party Bus, there are some mornings that I walk into the stall and swear he grew from when I left him the night before. It has made for an interesting year, but also part of what I like most of having young horses and watching them develop.
Sydney Scheckel – The best advice I can give to get through the big shows is this: “You can sleep when you are dead!” Never turn down that late night practice session, even if you are completely exhausted. Late night practices always give me so much confidence to go and do my best on show day. Whenever that alarm goes off in the morning, say to yourself, “You did not wake up today to be mediocre.”
Meghan Murphy – The biggest thing for me is to treat the Congress like any other show. It doesn’t matter if it is a weekend show or the Congress, I want to do my best and I have found that it is beneficial for me to view them all the same when I prepare and when I perform. A lot of people like to go by the saying “practice like you show,” but I personally, like to remind myself “to show like I practice.”
Jenell Pogue – Well this year I’m having a baby due September 30th, so we’ve decided she is our good luck charm – #JaynaRosePogue. We already don’t sleep so why not take the baby? She is our miracle and we are hoping to have a great first Congress with her.
Sherri Soppit – “Unless you puke, faint or die, keep going!”
Cori Cansdale – “Practice like you’ve never won, show like you’ve never lost” is my favorite.
Missy Thyfault – “Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity,” because so much of doing well at Congress is in how you have prepared your horse and your own mindset as well. You have to be 100% on your game performance wise. The horse has to be at it’s personal best. All of the stars need to align just right. That being said, No matter how well prepared you think you are, it is the Congress and there is always the potential for things to go off the rails. I make sure that I bring my mug that says “Keep calm and carry on”. It goes hand in hand with “This too shall pass.”
Mo West – I absolutely love the Congress. I love everything about it. The impossible late and never ending nights, the smell of dirt and Pepi in the warm-up ring, the announcers’ voice, the incredible horses and riders and most of all, seeing my friends from around the country. Working at the Congress can be tough, long, dirty, and dramatic, plus there are definitely always more than a few tears of frustration. However, I wouldn’t miss it for anything. To keep me going, I push myself through and think, “You can sleep when you’re dead and you can eat when you’re home.” On more than one occasion, I have convinced myself that Doritos and a cheese slice sandwich is appropriate and healthy. The best way to beat the Congress Crud is to douse it with a double shot of Crown (or 5) when you feel it coming on. And hugs, lots and lots of hugs. Cannot wait to get there!
Summary
The words of advice from Congress veterans can be helpful for first-timers as well as those who have been-there-done-that. While most of these mantras can hold true for almost any show, the Congress is a different breed and requires a little extra determination than most. Hopefully, these pieces of wisdom will help when you feel like giving up or need a little extra motivation.
