Equestrian Positivity- Breaking Down Stereotypes in the Horse Industry
Image courtesy of Beth-Foster Hattan
By: Kory Kumar
There has been decades of research done around developing and using positive growth mindset and its correlation to individual failure rates in people. This work is largely related to the field of education, and student learning; however, the implications of the research are also VERY relevant to the competitive equine industry.
Breaking Down Stereotypes in Order to Have a Positive Growth Mindset
Dr. Carol Dweck has worked for the last 30 years to understand how the achievement of students is tied directly to their personal beliefs about their own abilities to learn. In short, when students believe they can get smarter, they understand that effort makes them stronger. This leads to increased levels of effort, which ultimately leads to higher rates of achievement.
I made a personal choice to maintain a positive growth mindset about my own competitive horse show journey, and I’m extremely pleased with the results. Since setting my mind to this, I’ve had the best rides of my career, and I’ve made more friends than I ever imagined. I no longer feel anxiety about showing, and, while I may have some nervousness as I enter the pen, it’s only toward my own personal skills, and is in no way related to any stress over what other people may think of my performance. I’m riding for myself and for the goals my trainer and I have set.
Conquering Your Fears
Breed shows can be scary for new people. I have heard that message loud and clear; but, in all honesty, ANYTHING new can be scary for you if you allow it to be. As an exhibitor, you can not control the words or actions of anyone but yourself; but, you can control how you feel about yourself and your performance. You have all the control over how you will allow others to impact your emotions and feelings of yourself.
The type of tack, amount of bling on your outfit, and lack of a trainer should not be factors that keep people from going to equestrian competitions. Countless top level judges have told me that as long as the clothing fits properly, is clean and neat, it does not matter, nor does it affect a person’s ability to place. Judges are specifically trained to give everyone a fresh look each time they come into the pen. The same is true for your tack. It should be clean, fit your horse properly, and allow you to execute your class, specifically to the type of class you are competing in. The amount of silver on it does not matter. Judges score sheets do not indicate your outfit or tack in any way, shape or form, but they do indicated your performance for individual maneuvers. I made a personal choice several years ago to wear solid colored shirts, with colorful pads, instead of blingy outfits. I also got a classily beautiful show saddle with a minimal amount of silver on it, which, in all honesty, is a current trend. My lack of bling and silver has had zero impact upon my ability to place in my classes. I have friends who have achieved very high placings at the World Show level in solid colored shirts and minimal silver saddles.
Image courtesy of Beth Foster-Hattan.
Breaking Down Stereotypes
The stereotype that you must spend thousands of dollars on outfits and tack is incorrect. Your outfit and tack are not significant factors that influence a judge’s decision in the show pen. What is a significant factor is the amount of practice you put in before a show in executing your patterns with precision, having timing and striding in Trail, and the consistency and fluidity of your horse’s movement in rail classes. I can’t even count how many times I have heard people say, “the broke horse wins.” The horse and rider team that is prepared, well groomed, clean, and working in clear communication with one another, is the team that is likely to achieve higher placings in any class.
I have heard it said that breed shows are “pricing people out.” That is somewhat true, but not for the reasons you may think. The stereotype that upper level breed shows cost more money is correct, however. Facilities, judges, show staff, ect, all cost money. The larger the event, the more money it cost to put it on. Show fees are higher for higher level shows for that very reason. The exhibitors pay show fees that are directly correlated to the expense of putting on the show. As with all sports, there are many levels of competition available for people to compete in. The key to success is finding the level that works for you and your bank account.
Creating Positive Connections
Dr. Dweck’s work has shown that the brain is able to create connectivity between neurons that change with experience and practice. When exhibitors practice, the neuro connections can grow and strengthen and even build insulation that speed transmissions of impulses. The brain research and work with developing a positive growth mindset have shown that people can increase neural growth by the actions they take, such as using good strategies, asking questions, practicing, eating nutritious food, and good sleep habits.
While the neuroscience around positive growth mindset wasn’t intended for the competitive sports industry, it has strong implications and correlations. When you CHOOSE to adopt a positive growth mindset, your glass will remain half full. When you CHOOSE to be positive and to show kindness to others, you will find yourself surrounded by positive people who show kindness to you too.
Life is too short to surround yourself with negative people who only want to see the negative things. This is what is toxic in our industry. Negativity can not touch you, if you choose positivity.
My dear friends and fellow horse show enthusiasts, we have more in common than you think. I beg you to choose positivity and a growth mindset, because this is the ONLY way our industry will growth and thrive. Beyond that, I think you will be VERY happy with your own personal outcomes as the result!
– Your Sister in Equestrian Positivity, Kory Kumar
