Hey everybody—thanks for joining me for this week’s episode of Be Your Best Horsemanship. I just got back from a clinic in Lyons, Michigan, and I’ll tell you what—busy is a blessing. The schedule is packed, the travel isn’t always easy, and sometimes the airports test your patience. But weekends like this one remind me exactly why we do it.

Recapping our Lyons, MI clinic

First off, a huge shoutout to Tom and Tammy Krausz at TNT Arena in Lyons. If you’re anywhere close, go see that place—great facility, thoughtful design, user-friendly setup, and hosts who care. It was our first clinic there and everything was exactly how you hope it will be.

We had an outstanding group of trainers—growth-minded folks who invested their time, energy, and resources to be there. One participant told me she’d been saving for months and rearranged her family schedule to make it happen. Another drove six hours each way. Stories like that reset my perspective. On the road to Michigan—flight delays, gate changes, carousel scavenger hunts—I caught myself thinking, What am I doing? But then I step into a barn full of people committed to learning, and it’s crystal clear: this is worth it.

Busy is a blessing—if you keep perspective

I’ll be completely honest—travel isn’t my favorite. If I never see another airport or rental car again, I’ll be just fine. I love our place. I love being home. But these clinics are where I get to give back—and honestly, they’re also where I learn the most. The payoff comes in the form of breakthroughs, not paychecks.

One of our clinic participants shared a testimony Sunday morning and closed with one of my favorite passages, Philippians 4: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything…” That reminder—pray, be grateful, and let peace guard your heart—was right on time. October’s a full month for us. There are stretches of 20+ days with clinics, mentorships, and travel stacked together. That verse keeps me grounded.

We’ve also got family on the brain—my daughter, Hannah, is due with her first child in early November. If our granddaughter decides to come early, we’ll rearrange whatever we need to. That’s life, and it’s all a gift.

Be present: the first building block of better horsemanship

One big theme that kept surfacing this weekend was presence. Before we talk exercises or equipment, ask yourself:

Where am I mentally when I go to catch my horse?
Where am I when I lead, groom, saddle, and bridle?
What does my horse associate with my foot hitting the stirrup—go or get soft?

The #1 challenge for most of us isn’t a lack of technique; it’s controlling our thoughts. When we’re scattered, our horses feel it. When we’re present, they soften quicker, frame better, and understand faster.

Your horse is a mirror

Another hard truth we revisited: if your horse is confused, anxious, stiff, or inconsistent—it’s on us. That’s not meant to beat anyone up. It’s meant to empower you. Advanced horsemanship is communication and leadership. It’s not your horse’s job to decipher muddy signals. It’s our job to be clear—and consistent.

Get comfortable being uncomfortable

Growth doesn’t live in your comfort zone. Whether you’re roping steers, schooling a green colt, or stepping into a new clinic for the first time—there will be discomfort. That’s not a sign you’re failing; it’s a sign you’re growing.

A few places to lean into that discomfort:

New exercises that don’t feel natural (yet)
Slowing down enough to be precise
Letting go of habits that used to “work” but cap your ceiling
Owning that your horse’s weak spots point to training gaps—not character flaws

The roundtable: where lessons land

Our Sunday roundtable is one of my favorite parts of any clinic. Everyone shares their aha moments, questions, and takeaways. It gives me real-time feedback on what’s landing and what needs more light. This weekend, the big ones were presence, hand position, the pause, and self-responsibility. Hearing that out loud—in a group—turns ideas into commitments.

Efficiency comes from focus

Nothing kills progress faster than 10,000 racing thoughts. Pick one task. Do it well. Then pick the next. Same with your horse:

Choose one exercise.
Stay present long enough to do it right.
When they find the answer, release and pause.
Move on—quietly and deliberately.

You’ll get more done with less motion.

Final reminder: there’s no area of life you can’t improve

I’ll keep saying this because it’s true: there’s no part of your life you can’t get better at—as a trainer, spouse, parent, friend, or competitor. The work is simple, and that’s the catch. It’s simple to do—and simple not to do.

This week, pick 4–5 areas and be intentionally present in each: