Success – it’s something everyone wants to have in life as well as showing horses. But, what does success mean to you? Everyone has different definitions according to their belief system, goals and expectations.
Some people have goals to win the Congress and the World. Others to just show their horse and have a good ride. Some riders have challenging obstacles put in front of them that force them to either rise to the challenge or fail. However, failure is not necessarily bad in the short term because it leads to growth and hopefully success later on down the road.
GoHorseShow asked several trainers and exhibitors their definition of success. Read some insightful answers below.
Ashley Hadlock – Success, to me, is more than walking out of the arena as the winner of the trophy. Success is when hard work pays off, and the small personal goals or challenges are met.
Success is something that can only be measured by you as your goals are personal to you as an individual rider/showman. One of my favorite pictures Mallory Beinborn of Impulse Photography did of me involves success and hard work. (pictured left)
Bella Rosa – To me, success in the show pen means having a good ride and enjoying the moment. Although it is nice to have a good ride rewarded with placing well, I try to stay focused on showing my horse to the best of his ability.
Even if I don’t have the best rides at a show, I still feel it was successful because of the time spent with my horse, horse show family, and friends. Horse showing has taught me that win or lose; there is always something positive that comes out of every ride, which to me, is a success.
Linda Coakley – This is probably going to sound silly, but I finally feel like one of the cool kids. When you are on your horse show journey, you keep looking ahead to that group that you admire. Over the years, I have become closer to that group that I’ve always looked up to through my success. I have gotten to know them, and they have become close friends.
Meg Depalma-Whelan – Being successful in the show arena to most means you won. You came out of the class being named the winner which to me is important, as no one who spends the time and financial resources that we do wants to be a loser.
However, as I’ve gotten older and started showing more events, I’ve come to find what’s more important is being better than you were the last time you entered the ring. If I make improvements, I can feel them and my trainer acknowledges them. Well, there’s a good chance that I’m smiling before I even leave the out gate.
Showing in the amateur division is tough stuff. Many talented people are competing for the same prize. So, my horse and I laying down a great pattern brings me a sense of accomplishment.
Don’t get me wrong, I do love hearing my number called out first, but I’ve also realized that every dog has his day.
Holden Jung – I would like to say success is winning but winning is just the success that shows to the world. Since we compete in a world that’s judged and full of opinions, to me, success has to be more of a thing that comes from within myself. I set goals for myself, some as simple as saying I’m going to go in the show arena and remember all my spots on my logs or I’m going to ride with my left-hand today even though I don’t like it.
I push myself to face my weaknesses and, when it all comes together, I feel success. When it doesn’t, I figure out what went wrong, why it went wrong and try again. So to me, success isn’t just about winning, it’s about the goals and dreams that we set for ourselves but never forgetting where we’ve been.
Jenna Tolson – It’s easy to say winning equals success, but I often find success is determined by the context of a given situation.
For example, if it’s the first time competing in a new event or showing a young horse, I feel fortunate when I have a mistake free, clean go, regardless of the actual placings. Top placings are just the cherry on top in that scenario.
If you’ve really been struggling with a problem or in a class with an individual horse, it can feel pretty darn good to just “get through it” without all hell breaking loose. I hate saying I believe in moral victories, but we’ve all been there.
On the flip side, if you’re a veteran showman and done the right preparation, the measure of success might be winning or high placings. I don’t feel like there should be any shame in that either.
Nancy Riggs – I feel so honored and blessed to be a part of this great horse show industry. Success, for me, means being able to show my horse that I raised and being able to compete at this high level with so many great amateurs.
The key to this success is having great trainers who support me and always have my best interest at heart. I also think to have the humility that showing teaches us is so important, and most important is having great friends to share this great adventure.
My horse show friends have become my horse show family. A great horse, great trainers, and great friends. That’s my idea of great success in horse showing.
Cathy Corrigan Frank – I think success can be defined differently depending on the horse, the rider and the situation on that particular day.
Winning doesn’t define success because even when you win a class at the Congress or the World show, you were the winner for only that particular moment in time on that given day under those particular judges.
Twenty to thirty minutes earlier or later can and has made the difference between being a hero and being a zero. Some days, I feel successful if I simply stay on pattern.
Adam Mathis – I think we can all agree that when your name is called out first in the show pen, it is a great feeling and truly a success, especially when your competition is as tough as ours is today.
I think it is also considered a success that every horse that I am involved with performs to its full potential – whether in the show pen, in the practice pen, or at home. I like to see our customers improve with their abilities as well.
To me, it’s not just about showing, it’s about improving your weak spots as a rider and as a competitor. To me, the biggest success for anyone in the horse industry is at the end of the day, they are a better horseman. They can say they were an asset to that horse and that they helped him reach his full potential.
Julian Harris – Success, for me, used to be about the prizes. I mean what other way as a kid was success defined other than with what you have on a mantle or shelf.
As I’ve gotten older, my reality for the real definition of success has changed. I readjusted my goals and expectations. I’ve come to realize as wonderful as the trophies are, I’ve never felt more accomplished than when I get to see my horses evolve in my program.
Being respected by my peers and fellow horseman is a huge success for me as well. Knowing that you are recognized from the outside looking in for working hard and producing a great product is incredibly validating. I continue everyday with hopes of making each day better than the last. When I run into a tough spot, it is a huge success to try again tomorrow.
Mackenzie Preston – Success, to me, isn’t about the big neck ribbons and fancy trophies people receive from winning. Setting goals and being able to achieve them is the best feeling. It’s as if I did win the big trophy, but my own personal, self-created one.
Natasha Blanchard – Success to me in the show pen is all about being a team and never giving up on your horse. It’s all about team work.
Maegan Fleming – Success in the show pen to me means trying the best you can. Sometimes, even if you practice hard, you may not always get “the big prize”. To me, showing has been my place to go when I am stressed or just need a good ride to take my mind off things. It is nice to win but the ultimate goal for me is to enjoy the ride.
Ashton Krutulis – I’m thankful for the wins, but I’m more thankful for the experience, even when our placings are not what we hoped. You learn and live from it. I have learned to be humble. There are millions of people who would love to be in the show arena. So, every time I ride my horse, Wilt, I make sure to say a prayer and to thank God, my parents and my horse trainers.
I always say all of the amazing things like a 1st, doesn’t come close to the amazing blessings I’ve had in my life. I’m so thankful to be doing what I love with the people and horse I love. I always make sure to say thank you because every ride is a blessing to me.
Jason Wanderer – Success with horses is an ever-evolving and changing term that I (with the guidance of my trainer) constantly and continually define and redefine. Every day, in every practice, at every show, in every warm up and in every class, there is something more to be learned, improved on and ideally perfected.
I rarely think of success as a specific prize or an award but am rather constantly working on improving a piece, a portion or parts of my pattern, ride, presentation or relationship with my horse and view each improvement as a success.
Success may be simply tackling a single obstacle or completing a specific lead change in a certain way. Another day, it may be keeping my body in a certain position and another time, it may working on pace, etc.
I think it is important to have goals for each ride and think of obtaining small goals as a measure of success. Many people only think of success as a first-place prize, but there is so much more to be derived from each ride.
Attainment of one goal allows you to work on another goal which yields another and so on. Sticking with the challenges through hard times, continuing to work and obtain each goal, leads to being a better rider, exhibitor and horseman, which, in the end, yields the ultimate success.
Jodie Moore – Success for many years for me was defined as creating World and National Champions out of beginners. I would start from scratch with a 4 or 5 year old and build them into competent horsemen while attaining success at the highest levels of several different breeds.
As the industry has changed, so has my definition. Now success is when my amateurs have an ‘aha’ moment, that moment of recognition of feeling when its right, of performing a movement or pattern correctly.
Hearing their name called out on top gives validity to their practice, but it is now a bonus, not the main objective.
I think as trainers, or coaches, or just people in general, our perspectives change along the way. My teenage son recently questioned whether I had lost my ‘edge’, my desire for success, my will to win. It was a good question, and I thought long and hard. But, ultimately, my heart still pounds and I still hold my breath waiting for the announcer to call that number.
I still give it everything I have in the practice pen. My commitment hasn’t changed, and my level of intensity hasn’t wavered. I just don’t let it define me anymore.
Sydney Scheckel – Success should not be measured by trophies and ribbons. I measure success by your willingness to overcome the toughest times and remaining humble when you have achieved the greatest accomplishments. The climb to the top is tough one. I’ll be the first to admit it. I totally believe in this quote- “The greatest view comes after the hardest climb.”
So often we competitors go through our cycles of peaks and valleys. We must not dwell on the rough moments, we can only look forward to the better ones. “When you lose, say little. When you win, say less.” It is great to be proud of ourselves, but there are limitations.
Success is a balancing act – you have to be proud of yourself to have confidence, but not so proud of yourself you annoy others. Take on the biggest dreams you have, because they’re all achievable. Nothing worth having should come easy.
Thad O’Boyle – It’s always a great feeling to be on top with the trophy in my hand, and yes that is success. But for me, knowing that I have raised two daughters who are respectful young ladies headed down a path to make something of themselves, is a great accomplishment. Running and owning a farm in Michigan and being able to sustain the expense that comes with it is a blessing. I have been fortunate over the years to have owned, trained, and shown some very exceptional horses. Aint I Sumthin has a couple thousand points, multiple superiors, a number of top tens at Congress and the All Around Amateur award for 2016. You Shock Me had more than 3,000 points, multiple superiors and multiple Congress Championships. Oops I Am Good had around 1,500 points, multiple superiors, and Congress top tens. There are a number of others over the years. I get great pleasure from taking a young horse from a two year old and making it into an awesome all around contender.
Missy Thyfault – Success, to me, is to know that I have done the very best job in preparing my horse and presenting him at the stage he is in his career. That may be just going to the first show and riding around quiet for a youngster. It may be adding a new class and feeling proficient at it. For a finished team, I always have in my head what that ideal ride or run is going to look like in advance. I feel successful based on how happy I feel with the ride my clients or I had. We all love to earn points, win prizes or reach goals, but I think it’s most important to enjoy the process. In the end, if I have a happy horse that likes to do its job, then, it’s a success in my book.
Shelby Ratliff – Most individuals view success through winning. However, success cannot only be measured by the placing in the class. Success is about setting a goal, and achieving it through hard work, resilience, and determination, even if that does not mean a first place. Success is about having the best possible ride you could have asked for and going out of the arena proud of your personal growth and accomplishments.
Dasi – I have a couple definitions. Looking at a class, I always want to show at the best ability of the horse, whatever that means in that moment. If I have that, I’m happy. But I would say success for me is to be always in the Top 5 throughout the year. I know it’s impossible to win every time. On the other hand, if you win one show and do not do well the rest of the season, I think you are less successful than somebody who places at the top all the time.
Shon Gage – Success has varied meanings to different people. I believe that when you help different levels of clients, each group will define it in a unique way. If the person is a novice just starting out, success to them might be just completing a particular skill or maneuver. An exhibitor who is striving for success on the national stage will define success as being able to master a skill or maneuver to the point they are recognized in the winner’s circle for their level of expertise.
With the people who I have the privilege to coach on a daily basis, I achieve success when someone is able to reach a goal or “get it”. I feel that it is successful not only for them, but it gives me a level of satisfaction because the person understood what we were trying to achieve as a team. Then, they went out and did it.
Klay McDowall: For me, success is no longer about winning trophies and ribbons. That’s great, of course, but I’ve learned that success is more about how I feel after I’ve finished the class. If I feel like I did everything I could to make all of the work I put into showing worthwhile, then I am successful, regardless of the outcome. Because of the recent uncertainty I’ve had in whether or not I’d be able to show Bruce, I’ve been able to further understand this. Winning is a fantastic justification of working hard, but now, nothing beats just being able to go into the arena with Bruce; which, for me, is far more satisfying and thus makes the feeling of success far easier to attain.
Kellie Morris – Showing horses, and being the competitors we are, it is only natural to dream of achieving what is perceived as a “big win” and feeling we aren’t successful until we do. But, when you show horses, you are always achieving some level of success.
Today, my view of success is directly tied to my own personal goals, however big or small. It may be tackling a new event like trail and, after lots of hard work, getting that first win. It may be fine tuning that one maneuver that takes my patterns to the next level.
Just recently, I took a shot at western riding and I remember saying I would feel satisfied if all the cones were still vertical when I finished. Success isn’t one big win that is a moment in time. Success is enjoying the journey. Success is being supportive of your teammates and making lifelong friends. Success is appreciating the opportunity to be involved in such a wonderful sport. Success is building a solid relationship with our horse. Success is putting in the work, time, sweat and tears that help you achieve your goal.
The beauty of horse showing is there is always another horse show, something to always improve upon, another goal to set and always an opportunity to achieve your own definition of success.
Sandra Morgan – The success part in the show ring is just the icing on the cake. The greatest part is having the best, most consistent ride possible.
So what does success mean to you? We want to know! Has your definition of success evolved through the years?
