A Monday Morning Quarterback is traditionally someone who after the event, offers advice or criticism concerning decisions made by others. In this case, however, GoHorseShow.com contributor and Sport Consultant, Kirsten Farris of The Equestrian Athlete, praises 2010 AQHYA World Champion Carey Nowacek and observes why her pre-game strategy put her on top.

Monday Morning Quarterback: The Equestrian Athlete’s Observations on the 2010 Youth World Horsemanship Class

From what I could see on a very unstable live feed (I was in a hotel that must have the slowest internet access on the planet) the level of competition in the Horsemanship class was deep and tough! Based on the results and the behind-the-scenes GoHorseShow.com story from Carey Nowacek's win, here are some observations from a Sport Consultant’s point of view.

Carey Nowacek Is A Winner

All I can say is WOW! From a performance strategy standpoint, this was a home run on many levels. What are the odds of a person in a plain black shirt who has never made the finals on a horse known as “Lugnut” winning the class? After reading interviews with Carey Nowacek, and hearing about her strategy, it is not surprising that she came out on top. Here are some of the keys that went into her preparation and performance.

Key #1: Riding for Texas A&M taught her that it isn’t about being a great rider on a great horse, it’s about being a great rider on any horse

Riders are confident because they believe that they can handle anything that comes their way. If you want to blast your confidence through the roof, introduce some uncertainty into your practice sessions. Ride a horse that is less broke than yours, or if you tend to lose focus, ride with distractions all around you. Wind, tractors, horses running and playing in the turnout pen, and having horses being lunged in the arena are all great things to have going on while you are practicing. The more distractions the better.

Key #2: Use shows similar to a "Major Goal Show" to prepare

Coming into a big show with a few wins behind you is also a huge confidence booster. Shows such as the Texas Classic and the Redbud are large shows and using them as your ‘warm-up’ shows allows you to get used to the type of schedule, environment and level of competition at a World Championship show. When you are successful at those shows, you build momentum and confidence for the shows that you are peaking for. If you have the opportunity and you are setting sights on a World Show as you ‘Major Goal’ show, you will want to plan your show schedule around as many big shows as you can.

Key #3: Her trainer gave her great but simple advice before her pattern

Carey’s trainer, Brad Jewett told her, “Ride your whole pattern.” Having a simple theme that sums up how you need to ride is the best way to maintain your focus without getting stuck in the details. Enough said.

The Bling Thing

I realize this topic has probably gotten more attention than it needs, but I see a very interesting strategy in the whole ‘Shirt Alert of 2010’. Carey said she made a decision long before the show started that she would wear a plain black shirt in the finals. Now that custom shirts are the norm, unless you are going to get a battery operated shirt with blinking lights, it is difficult to stand out in a sea of sparkles.

By doing something completely different, she definitely got noticed. Not only that, if she visualized her patterns before the show even started, I would bet she saw herself in a plain black shirt, which would presuppose she made the finals. On top of all of that, I get the feeling that she bumped up her riding a notch since she knew the bling in her pattern had to come from her ride, not her shirt. The fact that she and Lindsey McMullen, who took the bronze, were in plain shirts may or may not start a trend, but it should put to rest the endless comments that all a person needs is an expensive horse and custom made shirt to win.

Youth Riders Moving on to Amateur Division

This was the last year of youth for many great riders who will be joining the Amateur Ranks in 2011. All I can say is Thank God I am going to be in Select next year!

^{Kirsten Farris is a monthly contributor to GoHorseShow.com and a Certified Sport Consultant, Certified Equestrian Fitness Trainer, and the Author of The Workbook for the Equestrian Athlete - A Guide to Showring Success. For more information contact her at: kirsten@equestrianathlete.com © 2010}