Letter to My Rookie Self: Dean Walters

Equestrian Recommendation: That is a part of our Letter to My Rookie Self collection, an open letter equestrian reflection challenge. Study extra and/or submit your individual letter right here. Pricey Rookie Self, You’re standing there in brand-new jodhpurs, clutching a shiny grooming brush you don’t but know easy methods to use, looking at a horse who’s already determined he’s the one in cost. Don’t panic — we’ve all been there. You’ll make errors. You’ll overfeed, under-tighten, overthink, and infrequently under-duck a flying hoof. However right here’s the factor — each flawed activate this journey will result in classes you’ll in the future be glad about. So earlier than you beat your self up about not being “skilled sufficient,” take a deep breath and browse this letter out of your future, barely muddier, a lot wiser self. You Don’t Want All of the Gear (Even If It’s Shiny) Proper now, you assume success smells like new leather-based. You’re satisfied that the matchy-matchy saddle pad, boots, and bridle set will make you appear like Charlotte Dujardin within the ring. Spoiler alert: it gained’t. Your horse doesn’t care what color your numnah is. He doesn’t even discover your £80 breeches. What he does discover is your power — your rigidity, your pleasure, your endurance. So as a substitute of splashing money on fancy package, put money into classes, time, and belief. Spend these hours studying easy methods to learn his physique language, not simply the most recent feed labels. Photograph: Canva Confidence and connection are the last word equipment — and so they look good on everybody. That “Mild Gelding” Isn’t Plotting Towards You (A lot) You’re about to satisfy a horse who will redefine the phrase “studying curve.” He’ll educate you easy methods to sit deep, keep calm, and develop a sixth sense for spooking at invisible monsters. He’s not being “naughty.” He’s being trustworthy. Horses are prey animals, hardwired to react first and assume later. While you perceive that, every little thing modifications. You’ll cease taking it personally and begin studying to guide with readability, consistency, and quietness. The day you lastly sit by way of his spin with out panic — that’s the day you’ll realise horsemanship isn’t about domination. It’s about communication. You’ll Fall (and Get Again Up) Let’s be actual — you’re going to fall off. Perhaps as soon as. Perhaps twice. Perhaps greater than you’ll admit to your non-horsey buddies. You’ll land in mud, sand, and generally even your individual delight. And every time, you’ll get up a little bit stronger. Falling teaches stability, humility, and braveness — issues no driving teacher can really clarify till you’ve hit the deck and climbed again on. In the future, you’ll take a look at the scuffs in your boots and see not embarrassment, however proof. Proof that you just confirmed up, saved making an attempt, and by no means give up. That’s the guts of each nice rider — not expertise, however tenacity. You’ll Study Extra From Quiet Days Than Successful Ribbons You’ll chase the joys of competitors — the adrenaline of clear rounds, the gleam of rosettes, the applause of the group. However in time, you’ll discover your favorite moments occur in silence. They’ll be early mornings when the yard continues to be, when your horse rests his muzzle in your shoulder, and the one sound is comfortable respiration and rustling hay. These are the moments that construct belief. That’s the place actual horsemanship lives — in endurance, in care, within the quiet connection between two very totally different species studying to maneuver as one. Photograph: Canva You’ll Uncover the Energy of “Much less Is Extra” There’ll come a day once you realise the most effective riders aren’t the loudest within the ring. They don’t yank reins or kick tougher — they whisper. Their aids are comfortable, refined, invisible to most. And also you’ll get there too, Rookie. It simply takes time and humility. You’ll cease making an attempt to impress individuals and begin specializing in partnership. You’ll commerce devices for groundwork, pressure for really feel, and instantly, your horse will begin providing what you’ve been asking for all alongside — willingly. That’s once you’ll perceive the magic of “much less is extra.” You’ll Study to Snort at Your self (Typically) There shall be days when your horse refuses to load, rolls within the mud proper earlier than a present, or escapes the sector like a four-legged Houdini. You’ll need to cry — however as a substitute, you’ll snicker. As a result of laughter retains you grounded. It reminds you that driving is meant to be enjoyable. Not each hack will go easily, not each lesson shall be a breakthrough, and never each outfit will survive a steady day unscathed. However you’ll study to search out pleasure within the chaos. You’ll Discover “Your Individuals” Top-of-the-line surprises of your horse journey is the neighborhood that comes with it. The individuals who’ll maintain your horse at exhibits, share spare plaiting bands, and textual content you at midnight after a tricky journey. You’ll discover consolation in on-line equestrian areas too — locations the place riders share tales, commerce recommendation, and rejoice one another’s wins. Whether or not it’s by way of a neighborhood driving membership, a livery yard household, or supportive platforms like Promote Your Horse, the place riders throughout the UK join to purchase, promote, and share their tales, you’ll realise the equestrian world is stuffed with coronary heart. You’re by no means alone on this. Each rider has been the “rookie” as soon as. You’ll Perceive That Progress Isn’t Linear There’ll be weeks when every little thing clicks — and others once you surprise for those who’ve forgotten easy methods to journey altogether. That’s regular. Horses aren’t machines, and neither are you. Progress within the saddle (and in life) strikes in loops, not traces. Each setback is only a stepping stone in disguise. So when you’ve got a nasty journey, don’t spiral. Mirror, reset, and keep in mind, even on the times that really feel like sq. one, you’re nonetheless miles forward of the place you began. Photograph: Canva You’ll Realise Horses Change You — Without end This journey will check you. It’ll stretch your endurance, your checking account, and your self-belief. But it surely’ll additionally make you stronger, braver, and extra empathetic than you ever thought doable. You’ll uncover that horses have an uncanny manner of holding up a mirror. They replicate who we actually are — our fears, our confidence, our compassion. And in studying to grasp them, you’ll find yourself understanding your self. In the future, you’ll take a look at that very same horse — the one who as soon as terrified and thrilled you in equal measure — and really feel nothing however gratitude. Gratitude for each bruise, each problem, and each little victory that acquired you right here. Remaining Phrase from the Future Me Pricey Rookie, you don’t should be good. You don’t must journey flawlessly or personal fancy gear or win ribbons to be worthy of calling your self a rider. You simply want coronary heart, humility, and a willingness to maintain displaying up — muddy boots and all. Continue to learn, maintain laughing, and by no means lose the spark that made you fall in love with horses within the first place. As a result of that’s what this complete journey is admittedly about — not trophies, not traits, however belief. Now go seize that grooming brush, take a deep breath, and revel in each imperfect, stunning, totally unforgettable second of it. ~ Future Self ~ P.S. Get pleasure from this text? Trot on over to: Like it? Share it!



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