Letting Go of What You Can't Control - #259

How much of your energy are you spending worrying about things that are completely outside your control? What other riders are doing in the warm-up. What the judge thinks of your test. Whether someone is watching you ride. How your horse behaves on a particular day. Or whether the result turns out the way you hoped.

In equestrian sport, it's easy to get caught up in trying to control all these things. But the more attention we give them, the less attention we have available for our horse and our own riding.

In this episode, I share a concept I've been exploring from a book by Mel Robbins: "Let Them." The idea is simple: let other people have their opinions, let the warm-up be chaotic, let your horse have an unsettled day, and let the judge give the score they believe is appropriate. It doesn't mean you don't care, lower your standards or stop striving for your goals. It means recognizing what isn't yours to control and choosing where to put your energy instead.

Together, I and Lorna explore how this applies to everyday riding and competition situations, including:

• The warm-up arena: Let other riders do their thing instead of allowing their actions to derail your plan.
• Your horse's behaviour: Let your horse have an unsettled day and decide what is best for both of you in that moment.
• Competition results: Let the poles fall and let the scores be what they are. Use the information to learn rather than letting frustration take over.
• Other people's opinions: Let people watch, judge or form their own opinions without feeling you have to prove yourself every time you ride.
• Your own focus: Stop trying to manage everything around you and bring your attention back to your horse, your feel and your next decision.

Resources Mentioned:

Apply for Coaching: https://www.mindeq.eu/coaching

Weekly Hacks: https://www.mindeq.eu/weeklyhacks

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