We’ve had another wild stretch of storms here in Weatherford—wind, rain, hail, the works. As much as it’s slowed down my riding, I’m always grateful for the moisture because I know the dry season is coming. That said, it’s made me reflect on something we all run into: those stretches when nothing seems to go as planned.

I want to share a few thoughts that have helped me keep progressing even when the schedule’s off, the weather’s wild, or life throws a curveball.

Progress Over Perfection

We talk about this a lot in horsemanship, and it applies across the board: focus on progress, not perfection. That doesn’t mean we’re not striving for excellence. It means we’re recognizing where we’re at, meeting our horse there, and taking steps forward—no matter how small they may feel.

When you get behind or feel like you’re running out of time, the temptation is to skip steps. I’ve been there. But progress made by cutting corners never holds. Real progress comes from getting back to the fundamentals and doing things the right way, one step at a time.

Seeing Challenges as Opportunities

I’ve got a set of horses on the exerciser right now, and I’ll ride them as soon as I finish recording this episode. I know some will be fresh—and I’m expecting that. We’ve had storms rolling through, and weather like this is a trigger. If you think Mother Nature doesn’t affect a horse’s mental state, think again.

Whether it’s young colts or seasoned geldings, even my A-Team horses can be a little on edge after a few days off and a round of thunderstorms. That’s not a problem—it’s an opportunity. An opportunity to soften their minds, help them reset, and reinforce the basics.

Start Where You’re At

Progress starts with where you're at—not where you wish you were. If all I do today is help a horse soften their mind, get more responsive, or think through a situation instead of reacting, I’ll call that a win. Because at the end of the day, I’ll have a better horse than I started with.

That’s the mindset I try to keep—whether it’s working colts, preparing for a clinic, or just knocking the rust off after a stretch of bad weather.

Confidence Comes From Consistency

Confidence—both in the horse and the rider—is a product of consistency over time. You build trust through repetition, not intensity. And that trust goes both ways. If I don’t have confidence in my horse, I can guarantee my horse doesn’t have confidence in me.

That’s why I’ve decided to offer a new mentorship week this fall focused entirely on building horse and rider confidence. I’ve seen time and again at clinics how confidence issues can snowball. And in a big group setting, it’s hard to give someone the time and space they really need. This smaller group mentorship will allow us to work one-on-one, rebuild trust, and give both horse and rider the reps they need to get over that hump.

The second new mentorship we’re offering this fall is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time—a week dedicated to Rope Horse Fundamentals. We’ll focus on horsemanship principles specific to rope horses: body control, mental softness, consistency at the box, and understanding how the release builds the right pattern in your horse.

This isn’t a roping clinic—it’s a horsemanship clinic for ropers. Because here’s the deal: if you want to rope better, make your horse better. I’ve seen plenty of runs where the rider had talent, but the horse didn’t have the foundation to help them succeed. That’s exactly what we’re going to work on.

When the Plan Changes, Find the Silver Lining

Earlier this year, I had a big goal: Road to the Horse. I was honored to be chosen and gave it everything I had, but the end result wasn’t what I hoped. I didn’t win, but I did make progress—in fact, that colt and I made a lot of it. But because of that experience, I bought a set of colts to practice on and prepare for mentorship weeks. That decision gave me a group of horses I’m excited about. I’ve started 13 out of 14, and there isn’t one in the bunch I wouldn’t ride again.

That’s the silver lining. When your plan shifts, sometimes it’s just making room for a better one.

Keep Moving Forward

If you take anything from this week’s message, I hope it’s this: progress is always possible, even when things don’t go as planned. Start where you’re at. Expect some bumps in the road. Focus on consistency. And remember, sometimes the detour puts you on the best path.

I hope everyone has a great summer, makes time for what matters, and keeps progressing with your horses and your life. Until next time—today and every day—be your best.