Q: So, as an exhibitor who has shown at the world level many times and been successful, what is the secret to your success?
A: Success is defined as, “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose”. For me, the first step to obtaining success is determining a purpose for my rides at each show that will help work toward my determined goal. My secret to success is really no secret at all. Once I set out what it is I’d like to accomplish, then, I move forward by spending time with my horse learning his strengths and weaknesses as well as my own strengths and weaknesses. Then, I put in as much work as my schedule will allow to practice and practice, and then just when you think you’ve practiced enough…practice some more.
Q: How do you keep focused?
A: Focusing is simple if you know what it is you’ve set out to accomplish. It is easy to lose focus if you don’t know what it is exactly you are working for. If I come to a show such as the world show without a clear cut and attainable goal, then, losing focus is easy. Stay on target and keep it simple.
Q: What is your plan of action once you get on the show grounds? Take me through the process of preparing yourself and your horse.
A: At a show like the world show, I make sure that my schedule allows for enough time to get settled in and for my horse to get acclimated to his surroundings. When working a pattern, I prefer to do it on off peak hours so you can often find me lightly exercising my horse throughout the day and then saving serious pattern work for late at night or early in the morning.
Q: What is it like to make the finals?
A: Exhilarating. Every single time! I know there are 40 plus fellow competitors that would love to have my spot so I never take the possibility of making the finals for granted. I’ve been 16th more times than I can remember, so to make it through to the top 15 feels like a win in itself.
Q: What goes through your mind in preparing for the finals?
A: I prepare my horse and myself to the best of our ability. Again, going back to knowing our strengths and weaknesses then will allow for the best presentation of a pattern that I can have on any given day.
Q: After previous wins, what keeps you coming back?
A: My love of the animal and connection I can create while working with him. Riding and showing horses is a huge element of my life. If I didn’t love it, then I wouldn’t keep coming back! I have been fortunate to have various horses throughout my show career that excel in different events so it is always a fun challenge to work for the gold with a new horse.
Q: Do you have any suggestions for new competitors trying to reach this level of competition?
A: Don’t think it will come without hard work and don’t let anyone stop you from trying to reach your goals! It is important to be realistic with yours and your horse’s ability too. I’m only 5’3” so for me to say I want to be an Olympic track runner probably wouldn’t be in my cards. But setting a goal to run a marathon, that is something within my reach. It is not any different when showing, set goals and make them attainable.
Q: What was it like to do so well in the showmanship and horsemanship? How were your goes? Did you feel you had a chance to win?
A: My horse, The Perfect Kryme, is only four this year. My goal for this year was to make the finals in at least one class. I have had a lot of success in the past in these events, so I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well. But, honestly, I would have been excited to be 15th. I felt that my patterns were the best they could be at this point in Clyde’s show career. I know anything can happen on any given day, and I believe in the power of positive thinking–but I also knew that I was showing against some very seasoned teams.
Q: What advice do you have for riders that compete at this level but have trouble doing well in the finals or rising to the occasion?
A: Work to season yourself throughout the year. Ride at home without stirrups, work your large fast circles, run showmanship laps… whatever you think you need to improve on. Then, when you get to the finals it should be second nature to you and your horse. Be prepared ahead of time so you can go into show, take a deep breath, and have a good time!
Q: Do you like the challenge of bringing along a young horse and teaching them new events like your current horse?
A: YES! In February of 2010, my family and I suddenly became faced with the difficult decision to euthanize my show gelding, Zippos Ace of Spades–due to a losing battle with laminitis. Since then, I have spent most of my time working with younger horses and working to teach them the all around events. I purchased Clyde as a two year-old and was able to show in the futurities as a two and three year-old, but turned my main focus to the pattern events beginning this year. This world show has been exceptionally rewarding because he is so young and has a lot of potential. It is so fulfilling and fun to see the progression as they grow. I know it helps to make me a better rider too. I cannot wait to keep moving forward with him and get back home to ride my new three year-old also!
Q: Congrats on your success this year and thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!
A: You’re Welcome!
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JOANNE GARNETT
SHANNON BROWNA: The secret to my success over the years has come down to hard work. Horse showing has a lot of ups and downs so it is important to stay positive, work hard, and know your horse.
Q: How do you stay focused?
A: I stay focused by remembering everything I have done to get to this point. I don’t let myself get frazzled I just focus on my goals.
Q: What is your plan of action once you get on the show grounds? Take me through the process of preparing yourself and your horse.
A: I try to make a plan before I get to the show grounds. Everyone’s horse is different so it is important to set your schedule according to your horse. Although it is hard, I normally spend the first few practices getting my horse settled in before I start working out the patterns. I also make a list of all of the errands I need to run and double check that I have everything I need that way I can feel prepared and just focus on practicing.
Q: What is it like to make the finals? What goes through your mind in preparing for the finals?
A: Making the finals is an amazing feeling. I feel like my hard work finally paid off. In preparing for the finals, I never think about the results. I focus on preparing my horse the way he needs to be prepared and I make sure that I feel prepared. Make sure to make your practices mean something. Practice hard but don’t leave your winning run in the warm up pen.
Q: After previous wins, what keeps you coming back?
A: The thing that keeps me coming back is the love of horse showing. Sometimes I wish I didn’t love showing as much as I do, but it is the thing I wake up and go to bed dreaming about.
Q: Do you have any suggestions for new competitors trying to reach this level of competition?
A: My advice is make goals and don’t give up. I feel it is very important to know your horse well enough to be able to fix problems on your own. Work with a trainer who you believe in and who believes in you. Always listen to advice. You can never stop learning or improving in this sport.
Q: What was it like to do so well in the showmanship? How was your go? Did you feel you had a chance to win?
A: When I was a little girl, I dreamed of winning the showmanship so this is an amazing feeling. I had no idea how the placings would play out, but I was very happy with my go and how my horse performed.
Q: What advice do you have for riders that compete at this level but have trouble doing well in the finals or rising to the occasion?
A: Never tell yourself you can’t rise to the occasion. Everyone can get nervous–you just have to push those nerves aside and focus on the moment. I have messed up in the finals before. It is just part of showing. It may feel like the world will end if something goes wrong but it doesn’t. Just go for it! What do you have to lose?
Q: Thanks Shannon!
A: You’re very welcome!
Stay tuned for interviews with Joanne Garnett and Nicole Barnes!
ANGELA FOXA: The secret to my success – hard work, a supportive family and trainers who genuinely care about my success. It’s a team effort for sure.
Q: How do you keep focused?
A: Especially when competing at the bigger shows, I try to put a lot of effort into staying focused. I try not to get caught up in what’s going on around me but to focus on my pattern, how I’m going to ride it and preparing my horse.
Q: What is your plan of action on the show grounds?
A: Usually on the first day we just spend time riding, and getting my horse comfortable with the grounds and the arenas. I ride multiple times for shorter periods. Maybe longe once and make sure he isn’t too fresh. We do not start working on patterns until he is mentally ready. Then, once I feel like he’s settled, John and Jill Briggs (her trainers) and I formulate a plan on which patterns to practice and when depending on the class order.
Q: What is it like to make the finals? What goes through your mind in preparing for the finals?
A: I think the prelims are actually more stressful than the finals. You have to ride smart. I usually don’t take as many chances in the prelims as I do the finals. Ideally, I want a smooth, correct and error free pattern to get me to the finals. Once you get to the finals, then you can take chances and push a little harder. It doesn’t always work out but when it does it’s sure worth it. What usually goes through my mind in the finals is to be confident and enjoy the ride. I’ve worked really hard to get here so now it’s time to enjoy it and show off what all the hard work was for.
Q: What keeps you coming back?
A: I love it, I’ve devoted my life to showing horses and getting to this point. It’s what makes me happy and I love having a goal to work towards. Also, the desire to someday have the kind of pattern at a World Show that when I walk out I think, “I wouldn’t have changed a thing.” I’ve had a lot of great world show patterns, but I’m still hunting the perfect one. I’m proud of everything so far, but I can always improve.
Q: What advice do you have for others?
A: Do your homework, love your horse and enjoy the ride!
PEYTON BIVINS
A: Well it depends–I show two horses, so it can either be very simple or very crazy! I actually love the days I show both because I am constantly doing something. This helps me to not fret over what is to come during the day. I’ll give you an example of one day at the World Show. One morning, we arrived around 3:30 am and practiced equitation. Next, we got Ollie (Dress in Gold) out and gave him the chance to play on the longe line. We got Ollie ready and then we practiced trail. While we waited, Collin had the chance to play and then had to start getting ready because I was in the first split of the hunter under saddle. It is so nice because Tomas always helps me and we often argue (jokingly) about who will do what.
