Die Hard is a nervous system masterclass. Fight me.

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Hot take: Die Hard is a Christmas movie.

Hotter take: it’s also the best mental performance lesson you didn’t know you needed.

Because John McClane is basically every rider who walks into a warm-up pen like:
“Cool cool cool… I am calm… I am normal… I am definitely not one spook away from evaporating.”

So today we’re doing mental performance lessons from holiday movies—but don’t worry, this is not a film club. This is a show pen survival episode.

Die Hard: Stop negotiating with panic 

Unplug your ears for the part nobody wants to hear:

So many riders get this wrong. They think the goal is to always feel calm, and to always be some kind of zen buddhist monk (no shade to them). 

It’s not.

The real goal is: stay functional when you’re NOT calm.
Because show day is not a spa day. It’s bright lights, tight time windows, weird energy, and your horse deciding the gate banner is a government drone.

Die Hard is basically:

• nothing goes to plan,

• the stakes feel high,

• and McClane can’t stop the chaos… he can only respond well inside it.

Lesson #1: Stop negotiating with panic

Your brain under stress will try to open peace talks:

• “What if we just scratch?”

• “What if we lower our standards?”

• “What if we melt into the dirt and become one with the arena?”

McClane doesn’t do that. He doesn’t wait to feel ready. He goes:
“What’s the next move?” (plus lots of very justified swearing).

✅ Rider translation: When nerves hit, don’t ask “How do I stop feeling this?”
Ask: “What’s my next controllable thing?”

In the saddle this might be:

• exhale (longer than you inhale)

• soften your hands

• eyes up

• ride the next 3 strides

Lesson #2: Adaptation is the skill

McClane keeps adjusting. New problem → new plan.
He’s not attached to “perfect.” He’s attached to effective.

✅ Rider translation: You don’t need a perfect run. You need a responsive ride.

So here’s your show-pen mantra:
“Calm isn’t the requirement. Response is.”

Lesson #3: A protocol beats vibes

McClane has patterns: observe → decide → act.
That’s regulation.

✅ Your “Die Hard” 30-second protocol (do this in the pen):

1. Exhale (longer than inhale) x2

2. Say: “Next controllable thing.”

3. Do ONE cue: rhythm / soften / eyes / breathe
   That’s it. Simple enough to work when your brain is toast.

If you can do that? Congratulations. You’re now basically John McClane in a cowgirl hat.
Barefoot is optional.

(In Mental Gym for Equestrians, I teach my full 5-level Rider Regulation Protocol, but today we’re keeping it Die Hard-simple: the 30-second “anti-spiral” move.)

Wrap It With A Bow

So the holiday movie takeaway is stupid simple:

Show day doesn’t require you to feel calm.
It requires you to respond well anyway.

Next controllable thing.
Again. And again. And again.

Heck, I think this applies to anytime I halter my horse, let alone ride!

And if you want me to hand you the exact next step for show nerves, spirals, and pressure moments, that’s what 5 Days to Confident Competitor is for.

Merry Christmas. Yippee-ki-yay. Go ride your plan.

Nicole