EC January/February, 2007

New Year’s is the oldest of all holidays and first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. Making New Year’s resolutions is another tradition that we inherited from the early Babylonians. Gym memberships boom after January 1st as tired partygoers resolve to lose weight and work out. In early Babylonia, the most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

Horse people always strive to improve their performance. Their success is measured by awards won. The New Year brings hope and new opportunities. If you’ve tried your best and still can’t get that ribbon or you’ve been close to first place and just missed it, it’s time to review your program.

What makes a person a winner? What constitutes greatness? How do you make the transition from top ten to World or National Champion? Champions set goals and once they’re on their chosen path, they never look back. Commitment and desire override their fear and they overcome whatever holds them back. Attention to detail and an unwavering drive are essential qualities champions use in their quest to be the best. Champions are teachers and mentors to those who seek their help. They are generous in sharing the wisdom they have learned and are professionals in every sense of the word.

Is there a formula for achievement that can be applied to horses; can it take you to the cusp of a new era in your horse ventures? What does it take to reach the next level in the world of show horses?

Mason Lyon of Lyon Performance Horses in Argyle, Texas says, “I think it’s so important to remember that we are dealing with animals and they cannot be perfect all the time and neither can we. Being a champion involves lots of things besides hard work and dedication to your sport. It’s learning to respect your peers and hearing what others have to say and constantly trying to better yourself as a competitor because there will always be someone trying to take your place and wanting to succeed just as much as you do. I think the great riders are natural and less from the learned side of it. Great horses make a huge difference. Having a great product before you start makes winning much easier.”

“For some people it’s always better to ride as much as possible, but not always. Some exhibitors might only ride every couple of weeks and never lose their touch, sense of style, or incredible feel for a horse. Being a champion is something from within, not something you create. It’s more like finding the right way to mold the talent and let it grow.”

Which leads to the questions: Are champions a product of “nature” or of “nurture”? Are champions born or made? The special qualities or attributes that make a champion are both physical and mental. How we look and perform is largely due to whatever genetic pool from which we come.

Our DNA predetermines our size, speed and strength. For instance, some people are born with a body type that makes them lovely equation riders, while others have long legs or quicker reflexes that may make cutting or reining easier for them. Physical qualities we have can be developed and honed to their maximum potential and possibly help us gain a championship. Most people, no matter how much they practice, can’t change their physical abilities and, because of that, they are limited in what they can achieve. NBA All-Stars and Olympic gymnasts certainly work hard but without their genetic makeup, they wouldn’t have the body type necessary to reach to top of their sports.

In all types of competition, mind strength is a critical element with regard to  performance. In the horse world, many would argue that it is more important than physical prowess or strength. Riding (depending on the horse) can be physically taxing, but feel and timing is what riders work on perfecting. Muscling (forcing) a horse isn’t the preferred method of showing and is seldom rewarded. A rider’s mind and body must be in sync with their horse’s mind and body to communicate well and produce the winning ride.

Many trainers, even the legends, admit that they feel butterflies no matter how many titles they’ve accumulated. One may be a skilled rider, but without focus and the ability to stay calm under pressure, there is no championship performance. A common trait that champions share is the ability to control and channel their nervous energy. When they are in the spotlight, champions are self-assured, determined, and believe they deserve to win. When they don’t, they quickly recover and re-group for their next event.

We may not be born onto a level playing field, but we can all develop the mental attributes that make a champion. Great riders make themselves better and their skills evolve over time.

It’s a new year and time to take stock of where you’ve been and what your horse show goals will be. “It’s important in horse showing to evaluate and re-evaluate,” says Linda Pigg of Gordonville, Texas. I look at each horse to make sure it is in the best condition possible at all times. The shows get more competitive every year so you really have to stay focused and on top of your game.”

Showing is a partnership and it may be time to see if your partner is pulling their weight. “No one can be a champion without great horses. I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to have trained and shaped some of the best. With that said, you must have an inner drive to excel and a love for the beauty of a horse,” adds Linda.

Linda’s goal is the same every new year. “To keep searching out better horses. It seems to get more difficult. So, my resolution is to invest more time finding good horses.”

For Reid Brock Thomas of Corpus Christi, Texas, horsepower is also a big part of the championship formula. “I realized that without the stock we have no reason to attend the game,” says Thomas. Reid likens the horse business to a roller coaster ride, with many ups and downs. “It is my clients that enjoy the long ride, that continue to purchase another ticket. Sometimes the cars, faces, and venues change but in reality, with enjoyment of the sport, we continue to enjoy the ride.”

The willingness and humility it takes to admit mistakes and learn from failure is necessary to become a great rider or make dramatic improvement. Time in and out of the saddle is necessary as well, feels Reid. “The amount of wet saddle pads you hang out to dry does have a major part in the presence of a rider in the arena. Don’t get me wrong; I also give equal credit to those who participate in the maintenance program of a career show horse.

“My clients, vets, farrier, and peers are the reasons I am where I am today. Personal drive and determination help keep the pace going, but I firmly believe it is all those who never swing a leg over my saddle that have paved my way!”

One of Reid’s goals for 2007 is to become an AQHA judge. “I would love to see my two-year-old nephew, Cole Thomas, win the walk-trot!” he says. “Also, to spend more time with the close friends and family I love. Any year closing with the loss of a loved one builds character and makes you think about the importance of making new memories.” This year Reid lost his grandmother, Charlotte Held, who he was very fond of. “She is the one that talked me into staying with my true passion, the horses, and not attending law school back in 2002.”

This is the time of year where every magazine cover has some article like “New Year – New You”. Mason Lyon doesn’t have any big New Year’s resolutions. “I think it’s important to be in good mental and physical condition to be able to handle the stress of the horse business and the constant ups and downs of basic life. I try to eat well and get proper rest. I enjoy working out and I find exercise very energizing.”

E.H. Pait of Jonesboro, Arkansas, doesn’t believe in New Year’s resolutions either. “I have learned to live each day as a gift. I make the most of each day and, hopefully, there will be 365 well-lived days in the year,” says E.H.

What has made E.H. a champion? He likes to focus on a few goals at a time and ignores the distractions. “Once you have a well-defined goal established, there are no excuses. Those who attain their goals do not get caught up in things that they cannot control. Control everything that you possibly can and then you create your own luck. God favors those who are prepared and believe that great things can and will happen.”

Whatever your show goals are this year, and whether or not you achieve them, it’ll be a great one. New ideas and plans will not only make your showing and practicing more interesting; they might make your dreams a reality. If not, it’s the journey to the big one that fulfills the dreams of the majority of horse people. If 2007 doesn’t turn out to be your year, you can always look forward  to 2008.

Happy New Year and best of luck to everyone.

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