Learning the skill of establishing a calculated plateau will require you to know yourself, know your horse, and exercise self-control.

A calculate plateau happens when a rider chooses to stay at, or return to a known level of skill. This is beneficial for creating consistency and confidence in the horse and rider. It also proves that the rider knows their horse well enough that they can create this. 

In this podcast, I explain what a calculated plateau is and is NOT as well as the benefits. One of the main benefits of creating plateaus in show situations is to prevent over-showing, which is a state of mind. It is asking the horse, and/or yourself, to perform at a higher level than you are consistently capable of doing in regular training.

Here is how I would describe the ideal rider and horse experience at a horse show:

Ideally, the rider is focus on: -what's happening with the horse (the horse's experience) - the task at hand (test, obstacle, etc.) - what the rider needs to adjust or change or continue doing to support the horse and complete the task

Ideally, the horse is focused on the rider with a soft awareness of surroundings.

THE CHALLENGE is learning  to navigate multiple areas of focus, seemingly at the same time.

Showing often brings up an awareness of what is not working, including: the rider forgetting the pattern, not supporting the horse, not focused on adjusting to the actual environment, and/or what others might think about their riding.

Also discussed are common horse issues, the role of mistakes and growth mindset as you advance as a rider. The benefits of riding with FOCUS and the side effects that are beneficial in all areas of riding.

A listener calls in and explains that she has previously enjoyed showing, and would like to show again…but a few thing have changed. She is older, and now lives in an area where she doesn’t know as many people. She says, “The fear that is preventing me from showing my horse is the fear of getting hurt or getting someone else hurt.”

In this episode I outline the importance if understanding that fear can be pointing towards an unwanted (negative) emotion, or. fear can pointing towards danger, or both can be present. Also discussed are the challenges that change with age and a change of situation, the power in acknowledging what specifically you are afraid of, the reasons why traveling brings up issues and ideas for how to assess and proactively approach the challenge.

In this episode, I discuss the benefits of a show environment, and why insecure horses can learn to thrive at shows. Topics include:

• Three different types of show environments.
• The challenge of going to a show with many beginners.
• Overall show routine vs your individual routine that bridges between home and the show
• Why insecure horses can thrive at shows
• The difference between fearful and insecure.

And five mistakes people often make when taking insecure horses to show.

• how the horse's original training was approached (was it based in reactivity or responsiveness (the ability to think through versus reacting)
• the horses talent in the discipline.
• the riders talent in the discipline.
• where frustration could come from and how to prevent it.
• pros and cons of working on both disciplines at the same time versus dedicating a season to a discipline.
• switching bits when switching disciplines.

In this episode, I discuss the difference between the mentality of showing versus training. These are complementary systems when you understand the difference between them.

Showing is polishing. Showing is taking a test. Showing is an external evaluation. The judge’s job is to evaluate against a standard.

Training is communicating. Training is teaching, clarifying, adjusting, and understanding how to break things into smaller parts to create success.

Showing offers many benefits that complement training. One benefit is developing the riders ‘eye’ or the ability to see what is happening.

In this episode, explain how showing does this and also clarify that you can find these things outside of showing if you know what to look for. They just happen to be more obvious when showing and more subtle in many other areas.

In this episode, I discuss the concept of high value and low-value cycles. I define what they are and share one tool I use to avoid or get out of a low-value cycle. This is work worth doing to create long-term success.

Are you confused about how to make your dream into a goal? If you are, you are not alone. This is especially common with riders who have relationship type goals.

_To form the bond I have always dreamed of. _I dream of having a connection with him…. _To do anything on my horse with more confidence, and just have fun_

Relationship isn’t WHAT you do…its how you handle the questions or challenge that come up.

SO LET’S THINK OF THIS BACKWARDS FOR A MOMENT. If you desire to: “To form the bond I have always dreamed of.”

What would you DO…if you had that bond? Would you go gallop down a trail? Haul to the mountains and go camping?

If you: “dream of having a connection with him…._”

What would you go DO…if you had that connection? Would ride through the countryside to visit a friend?
Would you go on a cattle drive?

If you could snap your fingers…and instantly know that you could: “do anything on my horse with more confidence, and just have fun.” _ What would you go DO? Would you enter a show? Maybe try reining or dressage or jumping?

If you had a better connection WITH your horse…what would you go do?

What if you have it backward?  What if the goal is what helps you develop the relationship?

What if achieving your goal was simple? 
Not necessarily easy…as in requiring little effort. But simple, as in, one thing you could do that would ensure progress.

Does your goal require that your horse develops a high level of fitness?
Or is it more focused on refining cues and communication?
Or does it include a balance of both?
 Is your main challenge riding regularly? 
Or riding with more focus?
Or sticking to the plan you made?
 What one thing could you set out to do…that if you did it repeatedly…would ensure progress toward your goal?