Ep 265: Embracing the Challenge of Being Your Best Every Day

As we finally get that first hard frost and the bugs start to vanish, I’m reminded how much I appreciate the change in seasons. Winter gives us a breather—perfect weather for training horses, where they’re not too hot and you don’t have to work through the middle of the night to get things done. It’s also a time to look back and reflect on the year, and that’s exactly what I’m doing now as I recap the clinic season.

This year’s clinic season ended with a fantastic trip to Delta, Utah, where Kensy Topham hosted both a private clinic and a public clinic. I’ve been to Utah many times, and every time I’m reminded of how much talent and hard work runs through this cowboy and cowgirl country. From the younger trainers starting out to seasoned pros, the people there are serious about their horsemanship. The clinics were filled with trainers of all ages, from teens to folks in their 50s, and it’s amazing to see how much can be learned from each other. I think the saying "iron sharpens iron" perfectly sums up what happens at these events—there’s no big gap between where people are starting, and that’s what makes it so valuable. Everyone is there to learn and improve, and it’s incredible to watch the horses progress over just a couple of days.

One thing I always tell my participants is that the true indicator of how a day is going isn’t always in the rider’s words—it’s in the horse’s body language. At any point in a clinic, you can tell exactly how things are going by just watching the horse. Are they confident? Are they calm? Are they engaged? These are the signs of a day well spent, and it’s something we saw across the board in Utah. As Marty Trapp said at lunch one day, "You could tell the horses were happy." That says it all.

Training horses is about clear communication. If I were a horse, all I’d want is a clear, consistent signal from my rider. When I felt that signal, I’d want to know exactly what response was expected and where the release would come. This simplicity is key. And I say this as someone who didn’t always get it right early on. Like many of you, I had to learn the hard way. I made plenty of mistakes, and I’m sure I’ll continue to make them. But as John Maxwell says in his book Failing Forward, failing is only a problem if you don’t learn from it. The mistakes are part of the journey, and they help us grow if we let them.

At the clinic, there was a young rider named Katie who exemplified this. She rode a very reactive young mare, and on the first day, the mare was more than a little challenging. But Katie didn’t give in. She controlled her thoughts, and instead of quitting when things got tough, she kept pushing forward. By the end of the clinic, it was clear that she’d made the most progress. The mare had gone from reactive to confident, and that’s a testament to Katie’s determination. That’s what happens when you keep your mindset right—progress is inevitable.

This isn’t just about the horses though. It’s about the trainers too. It’s always rewarding to watch someone who started out unsure or uncomfortable with certain techniques, and by the end of the clinic, they’ve made huge strides. That’s where the real growth happens. Every trainer who left the clinic was better than when they came in. They were more confident, their signals were sharper, and they had a clearer understanding of how to ask for a response and when to release.

One thing I really believe is that if you want to be successful in this industry, you have to have a growth mindset. You have to be willing to invest in yourself, to push through the challenges, and to always be getting better. I’ve invested in myself time and time again, and every single time, it has paid off. Whether it's through mentorship, clinics, or personal development, investing in yourself is always worth it. The return on that investment is never just 10x—it’s always exponential.

I also had the chance to meet some truly inspiring people this year. One of them was Chanse, a trainer who came to the clinic with his family. His wife faces some serious health challenges, but she was there with a smile on her face, supporting him every step of the way. Watching their family dynamic, seeing the way they handled adversity with grace, was incredibly moving. Chanse said something that stuck with me—he’d listened to my podcast and it inspired him to invest in himself and get back into horsemanship, despite the challenges. To me, that’s the true spirit of perseverance. It’s the same spirit we need to succeed in anything—whether it's training horses, improving our skills, or navigating life.

As I look back on this year’s clinics and mentorships, I’m filled with gratitude. I get to work with some of the best people in the industry, and it’s a privilege to be part of their growth. We’re all in this together, helping each other get better every day. Whether you're just starting out or you're already seasoned, there's always room to grow.

So, as we head into the off-season, I’m thinking about the opportunities ahead. Next year, I’ll be doing fewer public clinics and more mentorship weeks, because the value in these longer, more in-depth sessions is undeniable. If you get the chance to be part of one of these mentorships, take it. It’s an investment in yourself, and if you’re committed to your growth, it will pay off in ways you can’t even imagine.

Thanks to everyone who attended our events this year. Your growth, your mindset, and your passion for improving make this journey worthwhile. I look forward to seeing where this road takes us next. Keep getting better every day.