The Power of Positivity

I've been observing at the shows here lately, a. lot. I watch parents, I watch trainers and I watch those that they are coaching, and I've come to the conclusion that those that coach with positivity, generally, have happier students and better placings. I'm not saying they don't inform their student what they do wrong, but they start off by telling them WHAT THEY DO RIGHT, then they explain what needs more practice without belittling them, making them feel inferior or calling them names.
Think about it, if you are belittled for every little mistake you do, does it make you want to try harder or just get out of the situation? Are there too many mistakes? Maybe it's time to break things down into baby steps, so that the student can succeed. When starting with a green horse or client, we have "small" goals, like stick the pivot...no matter what ELSE goes wrong in the pattern try and STICK YOUR PIVOT, this way they can come out of their class feeling the sense of ONE ACCOMPLISHMENT, which encourages them to tackle another goal (like making it straight to the judge, setting up in under 3 seconds, trotting AROUND the cone...well, you get the idea).
TEARS: I once over heard a trainer say to her crying student "I don't do tears" and walked away from the crying child. What this trainer did was abandon her student and left her student frustrated. Personally, I don't like tears either, but I've been to that point where I'm soooo frustrated that it is my frustration release mechanism. When I have a student on the verge of tears (we try not to get to the tear point, but it DOES happen), we either work through the problem together...or we take a break and come back to the problem when my student is calmer and more in control of their emotions...and I'll tell them, go take a break and we'll return to this when you feel better (no reason to point out that they are crying, most likely they are embarrassed enough just by crying). Remember that tears can come from frustration of TRYING to do it right and then feeling that failure of not getting it right, most times, if handled correctly, it will motivate your student to practice more...
NAME CALLING and BELITTLING: Usually this only manages to make the student feel worse. If they are not understanding the coach, then it is UP TO THE COACH to find a different method to teach so the student understands. Many times I can tell a student the same thing until I'm blue in the face, my husband steps in and says the same thing in a slightly different manner and TADA instant understanding. Not fortunate enough to have a partner in crime, sometimes a parent/friend of the student can help you out...most of the time it's just slight miscommunication and finding the "phrase" that your student will understand.
So if you are coaching your child, a friend, or are fortunate enough to be a mentor (meaning someone LOOKS UP TO YOU!), do so with positivity, build a person up, be a POSITIVE role model.

Horse and Rider August 2011

If you don't have it, go and purchase the Horse and Rider August 2011 magazine. Fantastic article on Showmanship. I even learned a few new things!

Showing at Congress this Year?

It's getting to be Congress entry time, they are requiring a Piroplasmosis test. Be sure to be up to date on all the health regulations and get your vet appointments scheduled, check it all out at OQHA.com

What ARE they looking for?

Can't figure out what the judge's are looking for in showmanship? Here's a fantastic judges guide (complete with photos) on what the AQHA judges are looking for . I ran across this little gem of information when downloading some score sheets. Be sure to look it over...very informative.

Congress...are you going?

Thoughts of going to Congress? It is AUGUST...time for entries to be turned in. Remember that you MUST turn in your entries by August 25th and this year for the first time ever they are taking online entries! Be sure to visit OQHA's page to find out all about Congress!

Hair Buns, really the only way to go.

Ok, so we've discussed hats, let's discuss hair. You want to make a good first impression on the judge, make sure your hair is neat and tucked underneath your hat. No fly aways, no pony tails, no snoods (those hairnet things you put over your pony tail and attaches with a barrette. If your hair is shoulder length, it MUST be in a bun. A bun is appropriate for every age and looks the most professional with your showmanship clothing. You can dress it up a little with a small pretty bow (age appropriate of course), we purchase the thin ribbon rolls at Wal-Mart for under $1/roll to match outfits. You don't need a hair dresser to put one in yourself, I've done it a million times to myself and they are easy to do (and trust me when I say they are easy...I'm a hair MORON!). If you are a visual person here is a link on how to put a bun in . Just remember you still need to put your hat on your head, so put the bun in at the base of your neck. Also remember to bobby pin your hat to your head so it stays on, on those windy days. Here's a great article from the Equine Chronicle talking about hair and the judge's comments on them!