AQHA L1 Championship West Blog- Conquering Self-Doubt

EC Blog by: Ashley Roach

“I’m never going to be ready.”

“What if my horse spooks, or I pick up the wrong diagonal?”

“Are we good enough to be here?”

Sound familiar? For many exhibitors, the AQHA Level 1 Championships West will be their first big show, and with that comes a whole spectrum of emotions. Self-doubt, nervousness, and excitement are just a fraction of the feelings that come into play. It’s important to realize that we’re ALL experiencing this and to figure out how to harness those emotions and turn them into positive energy. Because, at the end of the day, horse shows are supposed to be FUN!

The past few weeks leading up to the AQHA Level 1 Championships West in Las Vegas, NV. were stressful for me, to say the least. I’ve mostly been off of the show circuit for the past two years trying to rehabilitate my gelding, to no avail. Now, I’m back in the game with Midnight Dreamer, “Sara,” a four-year-old mare. I’m struggling to set reasonable expectations for us, as well as sort through the gambit of emotions I’ve been feeling leading up to our first big show together. I’ve found myself unsure of our readiness, because she is very green in several of the events we will be competing in. I’m also nervous about how we will fare under the Las Vegas lights.

I have put an immense amount of pressure on myself, wanting everything to come together perfectly, which I quickly realized, was not healthy. We all want to win a title, but it’s easy to forget your journey thus far and to breathe and enjoy the ride. What helped me through these last few weeks was reminding myself that we’re as ready as we can be and that we’re going to put our best product in front of the judges, regardless of the circumstances.

No one is ever going to feel completely prepared. There will always be something you could have improved on. Instead of expecting perfection, focus on putting your best effort forward when entering the pen. You’ll surprise yourself with the results. The ability to channel negative emotions into positive energy (although easier said than done) is part of what it takes to enjoy yourself and achieve your goals. Ultimately, we all do this for self-enjoyment, the fun of competition, and collecting a couple of wins along the way. Constantly frustrating yourself by seeking perfection, or worrying about every last detail, takes the fun out of it.

On show day, you will be ready – as ready as you’ll ever be. Feel confident in your product, rely on your preparation, and head into the arena with a smile on your face and your head held high. Above all, have fun!

Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com for more fun blog posts and photos from Ashley and Miss Las Vegas herself, Kina Marie, during the AQHA L1 Championships West.