Champion Traits – Yours and Theirs

8 Comments on Champion Traits – Yours and Theirs

Jeanette Fiveash on Sun, 21st Jul 2024 1:57 pm


Hi Barb! So glad you are home safe and healthy! To me a successful showing is when I win but also when I don’t win learning from my mistakes. Over the years of showing I don’t remember what place I took unless it was a truly special class, but I do remember when my horse was really with me mentally and physically and trying very hard. That is pure gold no matter how you place.

Carol MacGregor on Sun, 21st Jul 2024 7:36 pm


Hi Barb, It’s nice to see you again and hear your voice! 🙂 Glad to hear you are home and healthy! I’ll have to put some thought into your questions, but just wanted to say “hello”. 🙂

Tassie Corbett on Mon, 22nd Jul 2024 8:08 am


When I look back at my showing career, I think I will remember the wonderful horses I’ve had, the great friendships I’ve made and also the pride in myself for following through and creating that connection and feel with the horses I’ve ridden and also the prizes I earned. I actually think the main thing is the relationships I have with those who helped me and cheered for me all the way!
Glad you’re feeling better…

Brenda Brown on Mon, 22nd Jul 2024 8:37 am


Good question…I am 74, starting showing at age 9. I still enjoy trail challenges. Just did local shows, never had a lesson or trainer. I sent for the Western Horseman publications on “How to Ride Western Equitation, as well as a host of others. Trained my first colt at age 14 using the book The Training of the Western Horse by Richard…forgot last name. Detailed things like halter braking, long lining, etc. I followed it to a “T.” Great pride when Banjo, at age 3 won the 4-H regional in trail, placed 3 in pleasure. Going to states was a big deal. Trail classes in 1968 had a fake bear, a camp site (tent, fake fire, and bridge with fake snake). Final obstacle was dismounting by a bucket of grain, ground tying, and walk away from horse. Points off if ate grain….Banjo did not eat. I always was determined to never tranquilize my horses while showing. A mare, Lady, I raised, missed her calling in life…should have been an endurance horse. I easily put in 5 hours a show trotting and cantering around the show grounds between classes. She had to be ridden constantly or would do not well in classes. Yes, we won several year end championships. A friend said “You know, there is something you can do about her energy.” Yes, I was doing what was right
for me…and yes, my horses are out 24/7
at home. Thanks to Barbara’s program “Mentally Tough Riding” I was able to gain confidence after a bad accident many years back. Long story short, I want to project whether on trail or ring a calm confidence for both myself and my horse. One of the most cherished, memorable comments I received from a well known judge was, If I were tasked with finding you a horse that fit you better than the one your on, I don’t think I could do it. My dear Mac, we did not start doing Extreme Trail Challenges until after he had to have an eye removed..won several year end championships…his trust in me is very humbling.

Renee on Mon, 22nd Jul 2024 9:00 am


When I’m no longer riding, I can see myself looking back with success meaning to me that I pushed through the hard times, I embraced grit, I kept trying, and didn’t give up. That’s the competitive, growth part of it. The other part of it, is that I did all of that for what I love…my family, the horses, the people, and life.

Cathy Angle on Mon, 22nd Jul 2024 9:58 am


I am 73 and at the end of my show career. I didn’t really show big time. Many open shows, some QH shows. My best memory of showing came from a home raised QH gelding. I knew he was special, and sent him to a trainer. I showed him a lot, and was the first horse I took to a QH show. My goal was to put points on him, which I did! I was quite proud of myself. Since then he has passed on, and I have retired from my nursing job which was the income for my horse habit. I now own a 13 year old QH mare who is retired from roping, and will be my trail mount, and perhaps some open show Ranch Classes. My biggest regret was that I never had classes, I was self taught. My parents couldn’t afford them, and probably weren’t even available when I grew up. I have attented some clinics, and they are most helpful, as we never stop learning. My advice to folks: take all the education and lessons you can. It will help you in the long run.

Dana Beckner on Fri, 26th Jul 2024 11:13 pm


Hi my name is Dana Beckner. To me whether in public or in private a successful ride to me is one in which I was proper in my horsemanship and in complete control of my own emotions, working through any problems that may arise calmly and patiently with a ton of feel for my horse. I known I’ve done my job when my horse is soft and relaxed and is with me, when my hirse is feeling of me as I’m feeling of him. When we find harmony together. Horsemanship is a very personal endeavor for me, deeply personal what I mema by this is it’s what I am most passionate about and where all my biggest dreams are in. But I also mena that it is the most meaningful way in which I have and continue to grow as a person. I’ve always been an anxious, unconfident, second guessing, and easily frustrated person (as I’m always looking to be perfect at what I do especially in what I love them most) and I have a horrible habit of beating myself up when I make mistakes and fall short. Horsemamship and all the hirse sibe trained and especially the colts I’ve started have forced me to face my own biggest flaws, to become more patient, calm, less anxious and more confident. It’s taught me how to accept less than perfect in myself and to control my emotions and avoid becoming so frustrated when I don’t do things just right. It’s taught me to come softer and quieter and content in progress. Horses have been incredibly healing. I’ve not had the opportunity to show in cutting yet. But to me a successful ride whether in public or in private is one within which the horse and I have become one both soft relaxed and progressing. And it means the world to me.

Lori Krueger on Sun, 28th Jul 2024 3:08 pm


Hi Barb,
I have never showed but have been a horse person for over 60 years. What means the most to me is when my horse trusts me completely and is assured I am taking proper care of them in whatever we are doing. I have started a few young ones and restarted a few mature ones and was so happy with the end results of all. I have attended quite a few clinics over the years and always was a “nervous” person worried about how I came across to everyone else. Now, I see how fruitless those feelings were and that I needed to only think about me and my horse at the time.
Thank you for all that you do…

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