In Pursuit of Victory: Why We Choose to Be Judged in the Horse Riding Arena

Why do we compete? What drives us to wake up in the dark, drive hours and hours (sometimes days and days) to pay our hard-earned money to be judged by a stranger? To have our faults pointed out unflinchingly? To put them on display for all to see? Along with, hopefully, some quality riding in there as well?

I’ve been thinking about this lately. I love to show. I love to compete! But WHY!?!?

What happens if you’re great? What happens if you’re bad? Anything? Does the world stop turning? It’s sure fun to be the best? But what if you aren’t the best? Are we there just for the pretty ribbons? Isn’t our relationship with our horse supposed to be at the heart of it all?

If we take a step back, let’s consider the purpose of competition and how it can be helpful. Broadly speaking, competition can foster creativity and innovation. It can push people to achieve new levels of insight. It can lead to new levels of accomplishment and horsemanship. Would Andrea Fappani and Shawn Flarida each have been as successful as they are without the foil of trying to outdo and out-stop one another year after year?

Competition also teaches us a lot: How to work hard, how not to give up, sportsmanship and how to win or lose gracefully. Competition provides motivation to practice and improve. It provides deadlines we can use as external motivation. If we always have forever, it can be easy to skip a ride due to bad weather, or because we just don’t feel like it. Having that show weekend creeping ever closer helps us keep accountable to our own goals.

I think we can all agree that it’s FUN to ride our horse! But we don’t need to show to hop on and lope around. Is competition and measurement of performance at odds with the fun part? With all the stress that comes hand in hand with horse shows, would you describe them as “fun”?

What is the purpose of competition?

Is the purpose of competition to win? I don’t think so. When people really believe the purpose of competition is to win, they cheat. At least eventually. If that’s the point, you’d justify whatever you need to. Just look at politicians and a laundry list of pro athletes. But the true purpose of competition is to bring out the best in each other. To elevate our performance to new heights. The goal is to win, yes. But not the purpose. The goal is merely an objective measurement to serve the purpose of becoming the best horseman we can be.

Email me back and tell me: Why do you compete? Why do you care about showing? Why not just ride at home? I read every reply.

Happy Trails,

Nicole