21/07/2026
Sometimes as equestrians we just want to cry into our coco pops a message from Bunyip Pony Club.....
The ever quest for the perfect center-line, square halt, less tense or hollow canter, rails that stay up or strides that count. Why oh why does the equestrian aim for perfection? Is it that we are all just super clean neat freaks who seek nothing less?...... hmm something tells me not…. Is it that we are anxious creatures that meticulously monitor every process, every step of everything we do?..… goodness I hope not! Is it that we could not possibly except anything but perfection and there are no room for errors in this sport?… Unlikely. Or is it that we aim for the best for our four-legged friends because we know somewhere in training in our relaxed home environment we can together. When the pressures off the two of us and we are gliding round in our less than fancy less than clean jodhpurs, our faded polo merch we purchased at some point and can’t bear to part with and our practice boots that have been tapped together with electrical tape (you know who you are) So what is that makes these moments so lovely, so perfect and why oh why can’t we re-produce that like ever!!! Well thought bubble from Bunyip pony club is, in some small way you probably have, but your so focused on what went wrong or what you could have done better you forgot to celebrate that little bit of the course or the test as a pair you nailed! Remember your horses isn’t much different to you, they know it’s game day, they feel your every feel, your excitement, nerves the little flutter of do I know my test? How many strides was that line? Should I walk the course again, do I know it? Soooooooo many feels, and they are right there with us. Home feels like a lifetime ago in that moment. No matter how much you say to yourself we are just here for the experience, there are no expectations, you can’t help that little thought bubble of expectation. That expectation may not be for a silky ribbon; but for a moment, or a percentage, or a clear round, or an on time run in some way shape or form it’s there because you showed up. So what great thought bubble, yep we get it home is relaxed no expectations be like that at competition… that sounds easy yeah? Oh how we wish… most of us can’t ice-magic our feelings and if you can then bottle it, sell it, and be like Ros Canter (kidding we think even the queen of the course has cereal moments). What are the answers so we don’t end up lamenting our experience and crying into our coco pops…. Truth time, grind, practice, rinse wash and repeat, trust the process, trust yourself your training, get advice from those more experienced. The equestrian community is filled with people willing and wanting to lend a hand. Don’t be afraid to try a new clinic a new experience, someone, somewhere might just do or say something that makes the penny drop. The pressure you place on yourself in this madder than mad sport is a privilege. Sometimes we need to stop and take a moment get out of the arena and choose your own adventure. Nerves are normal on comp days, there part of the excitement, use them enjoy them smile through them and trust yourself or alternatively don’t breathe its optional (maybe). Now were not saying this will result to less tears in your deliciously chocolaty cereal, there will still be moments of disappointment but when your slurping the extras up, try and point to something that went just like at home… and why or what was it in that moment that worked, did you finally relax, did your horse finally move off your leg the way you have been asking? Or was it just shear dumb luck? Probably not…. its there, enjoy the ride and stop aiming for perfection, because next thing you know you’ll be practicing in pristine riding boots, sparkling white jodhpurs and possibly even clean gear… like a perfect Insta princess. Ride on muck and all and enjoy the moments at home (just like a chocolate milkshake) they will come when you let them in!
