Mar 20 (edited) • Life Lessons Learned From A 🐴
“It’s not all about the ribbon.”
Wise words once spoken to me by a wise woman… and later reinforced by a horse.
When you’re young and competitive in the equine world, there’s often a strong push to succeed. The ones who win the buckles and big titles are praised loudly. They receive the big checks, the fancy trophies, the recognition, and endless opportunities. It’s easy to become drawn to that—to want to be that person chasing the ribbon.
But somewhere along the way, the purpose can get lost. The focus shifts from being present with your horse to chasing a result. In that chase, small signals are missed, communication breaks down, and frustration starts to build.
What they don’t always tell you is that success doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some, it’s a ribbon. For others, it’s a quiet, connected ride. Real success requires taking a step back and asking yourself what truly matters to you—and when you’re young and impressionable, that’s not always easy to do.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that for me, it was never really about the ribbon. Winning feels good, and it’s not a bad goal—but it isn’t everything. What matters most to me is the relationship I build with the horse. I strive for trust and respect, because that’s what creates a true partnership.
Taking the time to listen to a horse—and to communicate in a way that makes them feel safe and understood—has taught me more than any ribbon ever could. It’s taught me to pause, reset, and try again from a different perspective. It’s taught me to quiet my body and slow my mind. It’s shown me that frustration often begins where knowledge ends. Most importantly, it’s taught me to move at the horse’s pace, not my own.
If my only goal had been the ribbon, I would have rushed the process. I would have left gaps in training, built relationships on pressure instead of trust, and likely faced far more frustration. I might have still won—but it wouldn’t have felt the same. The horse would have become a means to an end, rather than a partner.
By learning this lesson, I’ve gained far more than any title could offer. I’ve earned the trust of difficult horses, connected with ones others struggled to reach, and developed a deeper understanding of true communication. I’ve removed much of the frustration from my program, built confidence—both in myself and in my horses—and created genuine, lasting bonds.
All because I chose to slow down, listen, and create peace within the relationship.
Success looks different for everyone. But as my horsemanship has grown, I’ve come to define success as something much deeper—
A true partnership between horse and rider.
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“It’s not all about the ribbon.”
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