It’s NOT A Skill Issue

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It’s not a skill issue. It’s not a talent issue. It’s not that you aren’t capable.

It’s subconscious resistance.

Oh yeah, we're going there today. Straight to your pain points. 

The real reason you aren't poppin' off with your horse yet. 

The real reason your lead changes are spotty and why you sometimes win the class... but sometimes are embarrassingly bad. 

It’s fear of responsibility—worrying that once you start winning, the pressure will be too much.

It’s feeling unsafe with success—because deep down, you’ve tied achievement to expectations, judgment, or loss.

It’s a subconscious belief that ease = laziness—so you push, grind, and make it harder than it needs to be.

It’s the belief that if riding well and winning come naturally, you didn’t “earn” it.

It’s fear that if you finally step into your potential, people will expect more—or take advantage of you.

It’s a subconscious belief that becoming too successful will make you an outsider in your circle.

It’s a hidden fear that even if you reach your biggest riding goals, you could still feel unfulfilled.

It’s an outdated story that struggle is required before success. That you have to prove your worth with sweat, tears, and sacrifice.

It’s fear that if you finally reach your dream level of competition or success, you’ll lose your hunger and drive.

It’s feeling unworthy of getting “that good” without struggling first.

It’s a subconscious fear that your success will create tension with friends, your trainer, or your barn family.

It’s an identity attachment to being “the hardest worker” instead of “the one who makes it look effortless.”

It’s an emotional block—deep down, you don’t fully trust yourself to handle the pressure of being at the top.

It’s a pattern of underestimating yourself, or holding back in the show pen because stepping up feels uncomfortable.

It’s a belief that being “too good” will make others resent you.

It’s fear that more success will come with more restrictions, less freedom to just ride your horse.

It’s a belief that becoming “too elite” will make you unrelatable.

It’s subconscious guilt around surpassing your mentors, parents, or the people who helped you along the way.

It’s an identity crisis—who will you be when you’re no longer the underdog? (Holy sh*t man! I’m freaking out!!)

It’s fear that if you climb the ranks, you’ll have to stay there (and what if you can’t?).

It’s a subconscious belief that more wins, more recognition, and bigger opportunities will just mean more stress.

It’s a past experience where competition, money, or success did bring drama—so now you avoid it.

It’s fear that standing out means opening yourself up to judgment and criticism.

It’s a survival response—your nervous system is wired for safety, not overflow.

It’s a subconscious fear that having more means there’s more to lose.

It’s guilt—like you’re “taking” opportunities from others instead of creating them.

It’s the belief that you have to be different. Be smarter, better, more ready before you’re allowed to succeed.

Anddddd, deep breathe. Wowza. Dang, girl, way to start the day off. That's just how we roll. 

If any of these hit, just know—you’re not broken. You don’t need to “try harder”. You don’t need another trainer telling you to “just ride more” or “do better” next time. 

What you do need is to get your nervous system and subconscious fully onboard with success.

That’s exactly what we do inside the Mental Gym for Equestrians—where I help western riders like you rewire the patterns keeping you stuck so you can step into the saddle with confidence, focus, and clarity.

💡 Imagine what it would feel like to stop second-guessing yourself and start riding like the champion you know you can be.

It’s possible, and I’d love to show you how.

👉 Click here to join MGE now and let’s make this the year you finally step into your full potential.

I can’t wait to see you inside!

Nicole