I will be a good rider.
I will not forget to memorize my pattern like in my sweaty dreams.
I will not drink gallons of coffee to combat the aching sleep deprivation that comes with working a horseshow. Because coffee breeds butterflies and makes me have to pee when my chaps are zipped up tight.
I will not think of judges or ribbons or a sudden spook at a random inanimate object. I will channel Stacey Westfall and Bob Avila and Sheila Varian.
I will go a faster than a comet with a yellow tail. Just kidding. I will go a little faster than I did last time.
I will look up.
I will lower my hand and relax my shoulders and sit my ass back, just like the trainer sometimes has to shout at me.
I will count my spins in my head and not with my mouth because the judge and everyone on God’s green earth can tell what I’m doing when I do that.
I won’t spin too many spins. Because I know how to count. In my head.
I will take a deep breath. The scent of leather and horse hide, and arena dirt will fill my nose. My head will fill with dreams I never thought to dream before.
I will have fun.

2 responses to “Show Pen Prep: A Reiner’s Affirmations”
As we tell Wes; Having Fun should always be your first and last affirmation
That’s a great attitude to have!