Perspective is everything, isn't it?

 

You'll find that the happiest and most successful riders tend to be optimists.

 

And I'm not necessarily talking "success" as in standing on the podium. Rather, I'm talking about the riders whose horses enjoy their jobs. The riders whose horses seem to progress the best (not the quickest). The riders whose horses seem to fulfill their true potential.

And for the riders themselves, at it's foundation, they are the ones who seem to *enjoy* riding the most.

 

This optimistic viewpoint should cover everything that you do.

 

For example, just yesterday, I had an "okay" ride on Charlie. Not bad, but it was a minor step back from where we had been. One part of that is that he spooked a few times, which he's never done before, oddly enough.

 

Now, I could get frustrated that he spooked. I could ride him harder. I could raise my voice and tell him to knock it off. I could get annoyed and let it ruin my ride.

 

Or I could laugh at him and his antics. I could actually be happy that he actually behaved himself in his spooks: no leaping/bucking/etc. (In fact, most of them were those "jolt in place" spooks at a walk). I could let him know he's okay. I could also be grateful that his spooks were actually quite tame compared to what I know he could physically do, and be grateful that he kept me on his back.

 

This is something that can be a MASSIVE leap in your riding abilities and progress. But it's also something I can't teach you. You need to decide to embrace this mentality. And I'll be honest, it's not always easy.

 

But too many times, we get bogged down and let the little things bother us. Don't let that happen. You have the power to choose the perspective you want.

 

Do you want to be annoyed seeing a rose bush full of thorns?

Or do you want to appreciate a thorn bush that is full of roses?

 

It's your choice.