New Year’s Riding Resolutions and How to Keep Them!
By: Brittany Bevis
Did you know that of the 45% of Americans who make New Years’ resolutions, only 8% are successful at keeping them? We have good intentions, so why is it so hard to stick to our resolutions?
According to Statistic Brain, 75% of people maintain their resolution through Week 1 of the New Year. 64% of people keep it past one month and only 46% past six months.
The Top 10 New Years’ Resolutions for 2017 are:
- #1 Lose Weight
- #2 Get Organized
- #3 Spend Less, Save More
- #4 Enjoy Life to the Fullest
- #5 Stay Fit and Healthy
- #6 Learn Something New
- #7 Quit Smoking
- #8 Help Others With Their Dreams
- #9 Fall In Love
- #10 Spend More Time With Family
Why are these horrible resolutions? Well, the intention is there, but the wording is all wrong. In order for you to even have a chance at success, your resolution needs to be SPECIFIC and MEASURABLE. For example, having the resolution to Lose Weight is too VAGUE and sets you up for failure. Instead, try something specific that will help lead to your end goal. Better options would be Workout Twice a Week, Eat a Serving of Vegetables with One Meal a Day, or Drink Only One Diet Soda a Week.
It’s also important to set up a PLAN for success. Here at EquineChronicle.com we’re interested in Riding Resolutions for 2017, so we asked a few of our readers to share their own as well as what resolution their trainers would pick for them. Below each resolution, we’ve given an example plan for success.
Sara Cox Bieda– “My resolution is to be more present. It’s easy to get caught up in the competitive nature of showing. I get so focused on my classes, whether it’s a rail class or pattern class that I sometimes forget to relax and just enjoy it! To accomplish this, I’ll need to remind myself to just enjoy the ride!”
Example Plan- Set a specific goal for each class you enter. Instead of focusing on achieving a first place ribbon, make it a goal to perfect your transitions in a rail class or hit your marks in a Horsemanship class.
Marcie Budine– “My 2017 resolution for this show season is to enter the show pen with confidence knowing that my trainer, Cole Baker, has my talented horses dialed in. I have been showing AQHA horses for years, but I always doubt myself. This year, I want to take charge of my ride in each class I enter. I’m excited to show my new Western Pleasure mare, Lopin Radical, this year. As for my trainer, Cole says my resolution should be to relax and not worry so much!”
Example Plan- Success in the show pen is about preparation outside of the arena. If there’s a specific class you’re less confident in (For example, Showmanship), make an effort to work on specific skills that discipline requires at least once a week. (For example, setting up within three seconds, backing in a straight line, quartering on the judge, ect.)
Bella Rosa– “My New Year’s riding resolution is to enjoy all my rides and learn from them, even if I don’t have a great go. Sometimes it’s hard to stay positive if something goes wrong, but I really want to focus on the good parts of each go. If my trainers, Cheryl and David Busick could pick a riding resolution for me, I think it would be to work on my Equitation, since I took a break from riding English for a little while.”
Example Plan- Prior to each performance, outline what you hope to accomplish during the ride. After the ride is over, make a list of both positive and negative aspects, so you can focus on the good and notice where room for improvement can be made.
Madison Nirenstein– My riding resolution is to qualify for the AQHA World Show with my two horses. It’s my first year as an amateur! I also hope to start my yearling and begin to show her in the Western Pleasure futurities. I plan to accomplish these goals by practicing as much as possible under the guidance of my trainer, Nancy Renfro. [If Nancy could pick a resolution for me], she would want me to sit as far back in the saddle as possible and never have to tell me to do it again! I think she would also like for me to make the Top Ten at my first World Show as an amateur.”
Example Plan- This resolution might be best attained by researching entry counts from some of the top shows the previous year and working with your trainer to make a calendar that will help you hit as many shows as possible to reach your qualification goal.
Lori Grossnickle– “Without a doubt, my resolution is to overcome my Horsemanship demons! I need to focus on mind over matter by being more positive in my abilities to execute the pattern. My second resolution is not to go first in every class, but I have no control over that… maybe show management will read this and help accomplish that! My trainer, Brent Maxwell’s, resolution for me is probably the same… He can’t afford to pull any more hair out! Poor man, his patience is incredible!”
Example Plan- Success in Horsemanship is all about perfecting pattern skills. Look at patterns from past shows and practice the specific elements required. Think of every possible maneuver a pattern might include and make sure you’re capable of executing each confidently so you’re ready when it comes show time.
Cole Gower– “My resolution for next year is to make it back to the finals again with my partner, She Made it Happen, at the AQHA World Show and place at the Quarter Horse Congress in Amateur Trail. As for my trainers, I think their resolutions are for me to make the finals, without having to go to the shootout, which I seem to be in every year. I think my mom can attest to this too. That would make it a little easier on the nerves!”
Example Plan- Success in Trail is best attained by practicing the specific skills required and being ready for any possible curveball that might be thrown your way. Look back at your past World Show patterns and select the obstacles that gave you the most trouble. Practice those to perfection, instead of focusing on making it back to the finals.
What’s your riding resolution for 2017 and how do you intend to keep it?
