We just wrapped up another Mentorship Week here at our training facility in Weatherford, Oklahoma, and let me tell you—it was a good one. Great group of trainers. Great conversations. And a whole lot of growth. One of the biggest takeaways from the week—and something I was reminded of again and again—is just how powerful continuous self evaluation really is. It’s not always comfortable. But if you want to be better, not just in horsemanship but in life, it’s absolutely necessary.

Growth Doesn’t Happen by Accident

Mentorship weeks are a big investment, especially in time. You’re taking four days away from everything else to focus completely on yourself, your horsemanship, and your business. But those four days? They can be life-changing.

Every time we hit a new level in our journey, it’s usually preceded by a challenge. That’s just how it works. The road to progress isn’t smooth. It’s never been for me, anyway. And sometimes we catch ourselves looking at other people thinking they’ve had it easier—but you never know what someone else’s journey has really been like.

That’s why it’s so important to avoid the comparison trap. Like John Maxwell says, comparison is the thief of joy. Your growth is your own. Nobody else’s path is going to look exactly like yours.

Why the “Why” Matters

On the horsemanship side of the mentorship, one of the biggest things we talk about is understanding the why. Why am I getting this response? Why am I not getting this response? Why does my horse feel uncertain right now?

And most importantly—what do I need to do differently?

That kind of evaluation starts with self-awareness. And truthfully, the better I get at asking myself those questions, the more I realize that the answer almost always lies in me. If I don’t like the way things are going, I have to change something. The only thing I can control is myself—and that’s where the horsemanship and personal development sides of this business start to overlap.

Your Horse Is a Mirror

Here’s the deal: if I’m anxious or unsure, my horse is going to pick up on that and become the same way. If I’m confident, calm, and consistent, that’s going to translate into my horse’s mindset. Horses are a direct reflection of us. And if you’ve got a barn full of horses at different stages like I do, that mirror shows up fast.

The clarity of our signals. Our patience. Our confidence. Our leadership.

If it’s not where it should be, we see it in our horses almost instantly. That’s where the power of self-evaluation really kicks in. The ability to pause, ask the right questions, and make an adjustment—that’s what keeps us moving forward.

Clear, Consistent Signals Build Confidence

We talk about the “Three Cs” a lot around here: Clear. Consistent. Confident.

Clear, consistent signals create confident horses. That’s just a fact.

And if you’re not giving clear signals, your horse is going to fill in the blanks—usually with worry, resistance, or confusion. The best horses I’ve ever been around didn’t get that way by accident. They got that way because someone took the time to be clear and consistent every single day.

Feel is the signal before the signal. It’s what your horse senses from you before you even touch the rein. That’s why timing and balance matter. It’s not just about what we ask—it’s how we ask.

When the Day Feels Different

I had a reminder of this just yesterday. It was a Sunday, which I usually take off, but I had some things to catch up on. It was quiet—no phone calls, no emails, no rush. And because I wasn’t in a hurry, everything felt better.

My mindset was good. My patience was good. My horses were good.

Not because they changed, but because I did. That’s the kind of difference self-awareness makes. That’s the power of being intentional with our thoughts, our energy, and our presence.

Personal Development Is the Foundation

When we first started doing mentorship weeks, I didn’t include much on personal development. But now? It’s a cornerstone of what we cover. Because once you realize that everything starts with you, it’s impossible to separate personal growth from horsemanship.

Mentally. Physically. Spiritually. Financially.

You’ve got to be evaluating and investing in every area of your life if you want to grow in this business. And I don’t mean just financially—though that matters too. I mean investing your time, your energy, your attention into becoming the best version of yourself. Because you can’t help others, or build a solid business, or train a confident horse if you’re barely hanging on yourself.

Give Yourself Permission to Grow

To all the trainers who’ve come through mentorship week, I’ve said this and I’ll keep saying it: you’ve got to give yourself grace for investing in your growth. You gave yourself permission to slow down and work on you—and that’s something a lot of people don’t ever do.

That choice right there? That’s what sets you apart. That’s what growth looks like.

And it’s not just about horsemanship. The branding and business side of the mentorship always ends up being a favorite, too. Because once you start applying these lessons beyond the saddle, your entire life can start to change.

Don’t Shy Away From the Hard Stuff

Here’s my advice: Don’t shy away from what’s hard. That’s where the growth is.

Most of the life-changing progress I’ve made didn’t happen during the easy days. It happened when I decided to step into something challenging and figure it out.

Whether that’s committing to a mentorship week, working on your business, or just spending the time to really understand your horse—if you want to get to where you want to go, you can’t afford not to invest in yourself.

Final Thoughts

If you’re frustrated, anxious, or unsure in your training right now—start with yourself. Start with your thoughts. Start with the signals you’re giving. Start with evaluating the “why.” Because that’s where change begins. Our horses are ready when we are.