Today, I’m sharing a personal story from four months ago—a “failure” in dressage that became a pivotal moment in my growth as a rider. 

A few months back, I competed in a two-star event with my six-year-old horse, Echo. Our cross-country phase was a dream, but my dressage score left me feeling frustrated. Despite a strong warm-up, I came out with 41 penalty points (or 59%)—a result that, in the past, might have shaken my confidence.

Instead of seeing this as a failure, I chose to view it as feedback. After reflecting, I realized my nerves came from a lack of experience and routine in dressage. Unlike show jumping, which I practice every week, dressage felt unfamiliar and a bit intimidating.

And because of that I took action: that very night, I signed up for my first pure dressage show to start building my confidence. It was uncomfortable, but I knew this challenge would push me to grow. 

How to Turn Your Own Setbacks into Stepping Stones

 Reflect Without Judgment
Take a step back and ask yourself what went wrong and why. Look at the situation objectively, without self-criticism. This will help you see what to improve.

 Identify One Specific Change to Make
Once you know what caused the setback, choose a specific action you can take. 

 Take Action Right Away
Don’t let overthinking stop you. Take one concrete step toward improvement immediately, even if it feels uncomfortable. Growth happens outside your comfort zone!

 Reframe the Experience as a Turning Point
Remind yourself that every setback can be a stepping stone. Someday, you may look back on this moment as the spark that led to major progress in your riding journey.

Listen to the full podcast episode 'Turning Failures into Successes' to hear more about my journey and learn how you too can turn “failures” into powerful learning experiences! 

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Setbacks are only failures if we let them be. With the right mindset, every challenge can become an opportunity to learn and improve.

If you got any questions, feel free to email us at [email protected].