09/24/2025
Courage speaks louder than criticism!
In this sport and in life, criticism is everywhere. 🗣️
Barn aisles, the rail, the stands, social media… there’s always someone ready to pick apart what you did or didn’t do.
When I first started showing higher-profile horses, I used to feel a pang of nausea before going through the gate (and if I’m being honest, sometimes I still do). 🤢
Most of the time it was not because I doubted I could do it, but because I knew the opinions would follow. The truth is, they almost never came from people who were also in the arena. Those who have stepped up and competed at that level are usually the most supportive. The loudest criticism usually comes from the ones who never put themselves on the line.
If I wanted to avoid being criticized, I’d probably never enter the show ring. 🎯 But I didn’t sign up for this to play it safe.
Here’s what I figured out: the people talking the most are usually the ones doing the least. 📣
They’re not in the arena with their knees shaking. They’re not riding under the lights, putting themselves on the line. 💡
However, sometimes, what feels like unwarranted criticism from an unlikely source can actually make you better. 🔑 So don’t take every hater to heart, but stay open-minded enough to learn from anywhere.
👉 Takeaways you can use anywhere:
• 🛑 Criticism is constant. Decide which voices count and tune out the rest.
• 💪 Nerves are part of the process. Deliver anyway.
• 🚀 Playing it safe avoids judgment, but it also avoids growth.
• 👀 Be open to feedback, even from unexpected places.
Every time you ride through that gate or step up in life, you prove you belong. 🐴🔥
Champions don’t avoid nerves or criticism. They face both head-on, because that’s where progress and greatness live. 🏆
