Not every ride goes as planned—but what happens after the ride often determines whether you improve or stay stuck. In this episode, Stacy Westfall breaks down a "less than perfect" training session with her horse Ember, sharing how experienced riders turn these moments into stepping stones instead of setbacks.

Key takeaways:

• Progress follows a cycle—planning, execution, evaluation, and adjustment—not a straight upward path. Understanding this cycle helps riders stay focused and adaptable.
• Training isn't linear—horses don't improve in a straight line, and recognizing this helps riders end their sessions with confidence, not frustration.
• The Four-Square model (rider's mind, rider's body, horse's mind, horse's body) provides a framework for evaluating challenges clearly instead of emotionally.

By shifting from self-judgment to observation, riders create the mental framework needed for true advancement. This episode provides practical examples of how top riders gather information instead of frustration—so you can do the same.