Run Your Own Race

I spotted this quote recently and saved it as inspiration for putting a few words together.

“She silently stepped out of the race she never wanted to be in, found her own lane and proceeded to win” (author unknown).

In the equestrian world there can often be tremendous pressure to be seen to be doing things with your horse. How often have you been asked the question “What do you do with him?”. The implication of this question is often an expectation to be regularly out competing, attending shows, having training, boxing up and heading off on adventures etc etc.

If competition motivates and excites you then all well and good my advice would be to get a plan in place and go for it. Of course, competition takes many different forms in the equestrian world so just because lots of riders on your yard love show jumping it doesn’t mean that you have to join in with that unless you wish to. Perhaps you fancy giving endurance rising a go, or maybe you like the idea of TREC, showing or one of a multitude of more unusual disciplines.

If competition doesn’t interest you then there are many other ways to enjoy time with your horse. Perhaps you love hacking or maybe you’re into natural horsemanship and groundwork to explore and learn more about horse behaviour and develop your relationship from the ground.

The main point here is to “Run your own race” whatever that race may be and it doesn’t need to feel like a “race”. That phrase could equally state “do your own thing” whatever that “thing” is for you.

By running your own race or doing your own thing then you will be a winner!