Press on! Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unrewarded talent. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence alone is omnipotent.” Calvin Coolidge.
Since I returned from Florida a number of friends have congratulated me on winning the Adult Amateur Reserve Champion in the FEI Intermediare 1
I am happy to have the support of friends and fellow riders but I am always quick to point out that I did not win this because I was so brilliant or because I won every class I entered or because I got the high point scores. I won it because I turned up. I went down the centerline 7 times. Sometimes it was a good ride, sometimes a very good ride and sometimes a very difficult ride. The scores were up, they were down and they were in between. I just kept coming back. I rode in three shows of the White Fences Championship Series. I rode after the good tests and I rode after the not good tests. I pressed on. I persisted.
I am not saying it is easy because when you go down that centerline you will be judged. But remember this:
Don’t be afraid to be judged. When you’re afraid to be judged you stop living.
David Coggins
I turned up . I showed willing. I pressed on. I persisted. That is how I ended up with that gloriously big ribbon and lovely bridle bag prize. So I encourage all of you, whatever your pursuits are, to press on and persist.
HorseAddict 
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