Last September, I wrote “When is Enough, Enough?” and I am still getting feedback from that article. I figured you may not have had enough of the topic, so here is Part Two. People start showing horses for many reasons. Many people start showing because it’s a family affair while others get into showing when their love and passion for horses leads them to enter competitions. No matter the reason, people show because of the feelings they get when they participate.

Now that AQHA Leveling and the New Novice Rules are in place, you may find yourself in a position to try a new class or two. After all, learning new things can be fun and exciting, right? However, if you find yourself feeling like a dog stuck with the same old tricks, these tips will help straighten out your learning curve and have you loving your new event in no time.

Resolutions are not my favorite method of goal setting. In fact, one of my very first articles for GoHorseShow was about that topic. However, if you want to give them a try this year, here are some tips that may come in handy. Most resolutions don’t work because they are too lofty, vague, and are should do’s as opposed to want to’s. On top of that, they remind us of what we don’t have and this creates a huge internal conflict.

Recently at a horse show, I overheard a few people venting about how they placed - or didn’t place - in their classes, and that they were going to hang up their spurs and stop showing. I know that is how they felt in the heat of the moment, and I don’t really think they will never show again, but that got me thinking...When is it time to call it quits? When is enough, enough?

Summer is officially here, and while most people think of summer as a break from school and maybe a family vacation, to the horse show diehards, it is Youth World Show Season. For some people, it will be their first time at a breed world show, and for others, it will be the last time they show as a youth, and perhaps the last time they show at all.

Visualization is probably the most popular ‘go-to’ move for sports consultants. In fact, I even wrote an article about it two years ago. However, with the latest research in Neuroscience, I thought it might be interesting to take a look at the basic principles of visualization and give them a bit of a makeover.

It’s Crunchtime! Yes, it is. Qualifying deadlines are quickly approaching and the major spring and summer shows are now on the horizon. I get that April may seem a bit premature to think about World Shows in June, July and August, but getting in Major Show Shape is not something that can be microwaved. If you are really serious about getting your body and mind to perform at their best, today is the day to get started.

If you are like most people, you may find that you spend a lot of time dwelling on what's not working instead of what is. Before you decide you are destined to be a Debby or Donald Downer, you may want to try these simple exercises designed to bring out your Inner Pollyanna.