Trainer Talk- Advice at the Exit Gate

By: Brittany Bevis

You exit the show pen and see your trainer standing off to the side. Likely your performance (or your trainer’s impression of said performance) will dictate the tone of the conversation that’s about to take place. We’ve all been there. In fact, most of us can guess what our trainer is about to say based upon the raise of an eyebrow, a big grin, or the shake of a head.

We reached out to our The Equine Chronicle fans to discover what their trainers have said to them in this exact moment. Was it something thoughtful, congratulatory, funny, teachable, or inspiring? We herded up the best responses from our social media accounts. Be sure to follow The Equine Chronicle on Facebook and Instagram for the opportunity to be included in a future article.

Brian Brady– “[Very angry face after a wonderful pattern] Me: “You didn’t like it?” Trainer: “What about your THREE steps back there, Slick?” [Followed by very angry expression].”

Taylor Wheaton– “Several years ago, when I won a World title with my previous horse, my trainer said, ‘You finally just went out there and rode your horse and look what happened!’ To this day, my goal every time I step into the pen is to ride my horse, which usually prevents extra nerves and overthinking.”

Ellen Hoyer– “I got a 4th place in my first Western Pleasure class, and my trainer told me I was trying to keep him slow from the wrong side of the horse (the reins). ‘Slow him down with your legs and seat. I’ve seen you ride a lot better than that, so go do it.’ After that, I slacked my reins and won the both of my remaining classes.”

Julie Squires-O’Connor- “‘It is fun to watch you show.’ That’s probably my favorite from Lori Gingrich. ‘You did the best you could with what you had,’ and ‘Ride every stride’ are good ones too!’”

Kaylee Mellott- “My first time showing Only In Showbiz in Western Riding was at the Redbud, and he launched me so badly that there were people calling us from the 7 Day Run in Iowa asking if I was okay. The next time I showed Juan in Western Riding was at the Youth World a month later. As I was walking out of World Show pen as a Reserve World Champion, my father, Jeff Mellott, the comedian said, ‘We should write a book called from dirt to globe.’”

Kristin Ashley Tullis- “Not when exiting the pen, but while we were both in the lineup in an added money Western Pleasure class. Me: ‘Well, I think they saw me break.’ Trainer: ‘It’s ok. They saw mine too.’ It made me feel so much better about my class and reminded me that we all have off days!”

Carmen Kellenbarger Porter– “Coming out of a Showmanship class in Wilmington, Ohio with Sheza No Lady. I had a new jacket that was really fitted, and my mare responded as if we had to hold a speed record. Melissa Maxwell looked at me and said, ‘We might want to loosen that up some. When this mare moves, you better be ready.'”

Susan Goodwin– “In Showmanship, ‘You didn’t know he was trotting the whole time you were walking?’”

Charlotte Miller Harvey– “I had the opposite… I was trotting and he was walking.”

Janet Spooner– “After an unceremonious attempt to unload me… ‘Great job! You’re still on the topside!’”

Brister Shum– “Beautiful Showmanship pattern! Next time, take your horse’s cooler off before going in!”

Jessica Baird Divine– “‘The good news is, you made it to the finals. The bad news is, you made it to the finals.’ That’s one I’ll never forget when showing my horse, Beulah, at the Congress.”

Micah Howard– “’When you get home, build a bonfire and burn that cowboy hat. You look like Hoss from Bonanza.’ I ended up at Kendall’s trailer ASAP.”

Amy Hoover- “Diagonals are not multiple choice.”

Brigette McGhay Cosgrove– “After a particularly bad Showmanship pattern, ‘Welp, you screwed the pooch on that one.’”

Marni Sampair- “Ummm…. Why did you stop and pivot when they reversed? We don’t do that anymore. Good Lord, it hasn’t been that long since you showed, has it?”

Amanina Abdul Rashid– “I took a video of you on the rail. See the horse that passed you? Yeah, it beat you.”

Robin Ochs Beall- “You didn’t use your buttons.”

Heather Goodwin Bell- “You should see the video!”

Julie Cole Smith- “Ummm, how did you think that went?”

Samantha Quraishi- “There’s always tomorrow!”

Lynn McLean- “I didn’t hate it.”

Renita D. Hershman– “Your hat is on backwards!”

Jo Ann Miller Ives– “Ride the horse you have.”

Lexie Frencl- “So, did you forget something?”

Bonnie McCulla- “Just what did you think you were doing out there?”

Hallie Hall- “Why did you grab the horn?”

Gay Henderson- “Andy Moorman told me, ‘Never blame the horse; you either made it happen or you didn’t.’”