After every high point and every success comes the question: Now What?
Whether it is the completion of a successful project at work or success in a sports competition there is a day or two of celebration, and glorious afterglow. Then…back to reality and on to the next. The next work project, the next presentation, the next competition. What does that mean in my life?
I am looking ahead to the next competition in March for my horse Biasini and me. This week is the first week of my mental preparation. Once again I must check the lists: do I have everything, was there anything I did not have at the last show, does Biasini need anything, did my show clothes come through three days of showing unscathed or do they need washing or cleaning or repair? What worked well at the last show? What could I change? The next show is at a different show ground is there anything I need to consider about that facility?
The list of questions is lengthy and this is the week I need to consider all of those questions. And then there is the training. I had success in the last show and now I must build on that. How? I must go back to basics. Yes , back to basics. This is the daily grind not the glamor of the “red carpet”. Here are the questions I must answer: What have I gained at that last show? What has changed ? Where am I starting from this time? This is where my coach, Lou Denizard, who has years of competition experience ,can help me answer those questions .
The show will be in three weeks and I will have a focus for each week. Heading off to a horse show with a ‘devil may care’ attitude and saying :” Heigh Ho! Off we go! Against all odds we may just be fabulous” That is not how it works in real life and certainly not in dressage in the Florida season where the level of competition is very high.
I must keep my focus. I must not get sloppy. I want the odds in my favor.
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