The Dave Matthews Band lyrics “My head won’t leave my head alone” from the song “Rhyme and Reason” perfectly illustrate how your mind may get in the way at times. Sometimes, winning a lot of titles and prizes isn’t all it’s cracked up to be for some riders. They put more and more pressure on themselves, leading to mistakes and “choking” in the show pen.
NSBA Director and former GoHorseShow featured columnist Stephanie Lynn once told our readers that you must think about winning differently. “Your success shouldn’t make you more stressed. If you have won at the Congress or World Show, no one can ever take that title away from you,” Lynn told us. “It should be the opposite – you should take the pressure off yourself because you have already won.”
Trying to win again should be a challenge and a chance to reach a new goal. Although past winners may have high expectations, they should never forget their achievements or lessons learned.
To prevent success from “getting to your head,” focus on maintaining a grounded perspective by actively acknowledging your horse show accomplishments while keeping your goals in sight. Practice self-awareness by monitoring your thoughts, being kind to yourself, and remembering the effort it takes to achieve success. Actively seek feedback and maintain healthy relationships with those who can provide constructive criticism.
Here are five key strategies from some of the leading exhibitors in the industry for avoiding letting past wins prevent future success.
Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome
Celebrate achievements, 
but remember that success is a journey, not just a destination. Focusing on the process rather than the outcome is key to long-term success for horse and rider.
“It’s so easy to get caught up in the scores or placings, but the journey truly matters. Setting small goals each ride and working to attain them will get you further than trying to get the whole picture all at once,” AQHA World & Congress Champion Carey Nowacek told us. “For young horses especially. I like to have small goals in practice like, ‘This ride I am going to make my transitions better’ or choosing one piece of the pattern to feel good about.”
This year, Nowacek has a horse that has never been shown before. “It has been a challenge for me to remind myself to stick to the process and take every ride step-by-step. I know what it takes to win at a high level and the pressure to get horses there, so I must remember to stay consistent in my small goals, and the outcome will get there.”
Reflect on Your Journey
Regularly remind yourself of the hard work and challenges you’ve overcome to reach where you are.
“Most recently, I’ve done this through observing my daughter, Ella, as she learns the ins and outs of becoming a better rider. When I was her age, I was riding a $200 horse we bought from the local horse trader,” Amateur Beckie Peskin says. “I practiced in a field and wore used clothes or things my mom made for me. We didn’t have much, but we had fun, and I was lucky to have my horse in my backyard to ride any hour of any day.”
As Peskin became independent, she bought and sold horses to keep trying to get one “a little bit better than the last one.”
“Ella is lucky in some ways: she’s learning from some of the best trainers in the industry and riding horses that are way nicer than the ones that I rode at her age. And yet, I also feel bad that she doesn’t have the joy of having a horse in her backyard and being able to go have fun more often.”
Select Amateur Brister Shum said that in the early 90s, as a Novice Amateur, she showed for six years without ever earning a point. “Yep, I was terrible! But I loved horses and loved learning. That’s what allowed me to overcome many obstacles. I’ve shown every year since then, but not without challenges, both mental and physical. My lack of confidence caused nervousness…and bloopers. I once completed an entire showmanship pattern only to set up to the judges and realize my horse was still fully blanketed.”
Despite some mishaps, her confidence grew over many years as she found excellent trainers who gave her the tools and skills to become successful.
“My physical challenges caused me to ‘retire’ from my beloved showmanship classes. I spent a few years being bummed out about it, but (with the help of great trainers) I soon discovered I was good at patterned riding classes,” Shum says. “Changing my mindset from ‘I need to win’ to ‘I want to learn, improve, and have fun’ has made all the difference in the world. From Novice Amateur to Super Select, I hope to continue enjoying the ride.”
Seek Feedback
Surround yourself with honest people who can provide constructive criticism. Being open to feedback can keep you grounded and help you stay aware of areas for improvement. Actively ask for constructive criticism from trusted colleagues or mentors to identify areas for improvement.
“The best way to learn is to trust your coaches and colleagues,” Select Amateur June Liston says. “I think this is true in any sport; you can hear something, a technique or a maneuver, that you’ve been trying to perfect, in a different way, and it will all of a sudden click with you, and you will gain a greater understanding of what you’ve been trying to achieve.”
Liston says that trail is an excellent example of where this can help. “What are you focusing on before going over a pole? How and where are you approaching an obstacle? How do you support your horse as he’s going over the obstacle? Another set of eyes is a great way of seeing what you’re doing right and what you’re doing wrong,” Liston adds.
Maintain Healthy Relationships
Surround yourself with supportive people who will keep you grounded and offer honest perspectives.
“I firmly believe that the right people will find you at the right time,” Amateur Sarah Lebsock states. “They never show up early, they’re never late, they’re always right there when you need them and when you’re at a place mentally and physically in your life when you can appreciate the value they add.”
Sarah says she has a core group of people who will support her no matter what she does. Then she has the people who challenge her to improve, either by inspiring, encouraging, or both. Her dad and sisters, Emily and Katie will support her no matter what she does. “They know my downfalls, but choose to cheer on my good. That’s important to find in people,” Sarah adds.
Then, she has people in her corner, like Kaleena Weakly and Jason Gilliam, who believe in what she can bring to the table, often believing in her more than she believes in herself.
“Sometimes it’s tough love, sometimes it’s a shoulder to cry on, but it’s always because they know I have more to give,” Sarah says. “These people are the most important to find when showing horses due to the ebbs and flows of the sport. Jason will meticulously deconstruct a ride to determine what we can improve, but he’ll also clap the loudest at the gate when you do it as planned. While Kaleena is the world’s biggest cheerleader.”
Amateur Evie Doles says, “I’ve been lucky to have some great mentors. My mom, Sarah Shoemake Doles, has an amazing show career and has won numerous Gold Globes. She was my first-ever role model, and I still look up to her today. Jessica Baird Divine and Sunni Duke are two riders I’ve admired for years; their riding and horsemanship skills are so soft, yet effective and elegant.”
As for opportunities, Evie would be nowhere without her trainers, Chris and Melissa Jones. “They’re my second parents and have taught me countless life lessons. Be humble, be kind, ride every step, and appreciate every time I swing a leg over a horse.”
Set New Goals
Once you achieve a milestone, immediately set new challenges to keep yourself motivated and engaged.
“I firmly believe that greatness comes from constantly setting new goals,” amateur Grant Mastin says. “Complacency is the enemy of progress. When up against highly skilled and talented individuals, you must keep raising your standards, or you’ll get left behind.”
One of his strength coaches from his football days taught him two lessons that have stuck with him:
1. What happens in the dark always comes to light. Whether you’re resting or pushing yourself to the limit in the early mornings or late nights, it will show when you step onto the big stage.
2. Focus on improving just 1% every day – it compounds. By increasing your standards even a little daily, you’ll be ready when your moment arrives.
“I’m not saying this is easy, but putting in the work, staying committed, and pushing through obstacles is far harder. No matter how much you’ve achieved, failure is a part of the journey,” Grant says. “How you respond matters most, as that will decide if you continue to excel. This constant pursuit of improvement keeps me driven, always striving for the next goal and never accepting anything less than my best.”
Amateur Lauren Crivelli agrees with Grant, “I am constantly changing my goals and focus to keep myself going. It might not be a drastic shift, but it will be different enough to allow me to learn new things and push myself. An example was when I was fortunate enough to win the Amateur All-Around at the AQHA World Show and then decided to focus on bringing along young horses. The young horses provide a constant challenge, and I love it so much.”
