The 70% Rule: Why Riding More Can Make You Worse

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I work with dedicated riders. You don’t hire a mental coach unless you’re in this for real — and I love that about you!

But after watching rider after rider hit the same roadblock, I’ve gotta share it… so you can ride around it, too.

Dedicated riders tend to equate progress with more: more rides, more drilling, more pressure.
So when you take a lighter day, you feel guilty — like you’re falling behind.
You’re trying to earn confidence by grinding…
but the harder you push, the tighter you ride.

And here’s the part that stings: after all that “paying dues,” you and your horse feel a little fried… and the progress still isn’t matching the effort.

Ready for a smarter way to build consistency?

The 70% Calendar Rule: The Peak Progress Schedule for Riders

Most riders secretly think the goal is to be 100% maxed out: rides every day, drilling patterns, “no days off,” grind grind grind. 

But the sweet spot for progress + confidence + consistency is usually closer to 70%.

Stop overscheduling yourself, cowgirl. 

100% Scheduled = Rushed rides, fried brain

When your week is fully booked with schooling:

• you rush warm-ups (“we don’t have time”)

• you skip the mental reps (visualization, breath, intention)

• you don’t debrief, so mistakes repeat

• your horse gets sore/sour/flat

• you start riding tight because you’re always behind

You’re “working hard”… but your consistency drops.

30% Scheduled = Rust + overthinking

When you’re barely riding:

• you lose rhythm and timing

• you feel behind, so every ride feels like a test

• you grip, micromanage, and try to “make it happen”

• show day feels loud because your brain hasn’t had reps

That’s when nerves get spicy.

70% Scheduled = Peak progress

This is the zone where:

• you ride enough to stay in flow

• you have buffer for quality (warm-up, resets, patience)

• you actually integrate feedback

• you can do the mental work that makes the physical work stick

It’s not lazy. It’s strategic capacity.

What to do this week (simple + actionable)

Aim for a 70/30 week:

• 70% = intentional sessions (schooling with a goal)

• 30% = buffer + integration (easy rides, groundwork, walk/trot days, bodywork, journaling, visualization, tack prep, rest)

Tiny rule: If your week is so packed you’re skipping warm-up and debrief… you’re not disciplined. You’re overloaded.

So no, you don’t need to “want it more.”
You already want it.

You need space.

Try the 70% Calendar Rule for one week and watch what happens to your rides, your confidence, and your horse’s attitude.

Grinding isn’t the flex. Consistency is.

Stay consistent, friend,

Nicole