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That "Ah Ha" Moment

Today I gave one of those lessons that make me remember why I'm a Trainer/Teacher. The horse is young and amazingly talented. The rider has so much experience but is open to learn. We were working on teaching this very green horse to relax and stretch and relax into the bridle and for the rider to understand opening and closing doors to guide the horse into a soft flexible lateral movement. Then it happened.....that amazing "Ah Ha" moment!

I work out of a small barn. No frills. Many times I feel small time and don't give myself enough credit. But the reality is, I choose to be here, in a small barn, with students that love their horses.

That  "Ah Ha" moment is the reason I do it. It means so much more to me than blue ribbons and even making money. I choose to work with anyone, beginner or advanced, that truly has that passion for horses. I enjoy teaching the modest horse owner and their mustang that they adopted, who may never show a day in their life, but have such a passion to learn that when they truly understand and properly execute a "Leg Yield" they get so excited they are beaming!

It is so much more enjoyable to stay grounded in the "Art" of riding than the business of winning.

Yes....winning is wonderful, but it doesn't feed the soul. And yes, winning is part of the game. And yes, I am very competitive and love to get out there and compete and win. But at the end of the day, if my horse and I are not on the same page or my students are frustrated and arguing with their horses and we end up with a win...it is a little empty and a lot less gratifying.

I have come home happier from competitions where I ended up lower down in the placings but I felt my horse and I were working as a team, or my horse gave me his heart over a fence he'd never seen before.

With my students I feel the same. Some of our best shows haven't ended up with arm loads of ribbons, but moments of good sportsmanship, teamwork, good horsemanship, passion for the sport, friendship, "Ah Ha" moments, even just getting the left lead.

So I guess I will never be rich for selling my soul for the win, trying to get that rich client that wants to win at all costs, or just getting caught up in the "business" of the horse world. And if I ever do start to lose sight of
the real reasons I teach, or complain that I am not wealthy ... you can remind me of this little blog.

Here's to hoping you have that "Ah Ha" moment today!


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