What Top Riders at the AQHA World Show Do Differently to Prepare

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It’s a crisp fall morning at the AQHA World Show. The warm-up pen is buzzing with energy—horses loping, trainers barking last-minute tips, and riders tightening cinches with determined focus. One rider catches your eye, not because of flash or flair, but because of her calm, grounded presence.

Later, you see her in the show pen, delivering a near-perfect run. She isn’t the most experienced rider, nor does she have the fanciest horse. What sets her apart is preparation—the intentional kind that’s equal parts physical, mental, and strategic.

It’s not luck. It’s not talent alone. It’s what I call the Preparation Gap—the difference between riders who rise to the occasion and those who falter when it matters most.

The Preparation Gap

First things first: The difference between riders who succeed and those who falter comes down to two things: intentional preparation and adaptive execution.

1️⃣ Intentional Preparation

The riders who shined didn’t just ride patterns endlessly hoping for perfection. They prepared with purpose:

• Every ride had a focus, whether it was fine-tuning transitions, smoothing out lead changes, or working on that tricky maneuver that had cost them points in the past. 

• They didn’t just imagine success; they rehearsed it in their minds, seeing every detail of their perfect ride.

• But they also prepared for the unexpected—thinking through how they’d handle a missed cue, an unruly warm-up pen, or even the nerves that come with the spotlight.

(FYI, I teach you this exactly inside Resilient Reiner Academy). 

2️⃣ Adaptive Execution

In the show pen, unexpected things happen. The warm-up ring might be crowded. The horse ahead of you might spook. Your nerves might get the best of you.

Riders who prepared for adversity handled these challenges with ease. Instead of freezing or falling apart, they adapted on the spot, trusting in their mental and physical preparation to guide them, and kept moving forward.

Common Pitfalls in Preparation

If you’re not seeing the results you want in the show pen, it might be because your preparation is missing the mark. Many riders fall into the trap of practicing without reflecting. They drill their maneuvers but don’t take the time to analyze why certain things aren’t working. Others avoid pressure altogether, keeping their practice sessions easy and comfortable.  If your practice rides are always easy, show-day pressure will feel overwhelming.

And believe it or not, over-planning can also be a problem. Riders who cling to rigid plans often fall apart when things don’t go exactly as expected. The show pen isn’t a controlled environment, and adaptability is a skill every rider needs to develop.

​​What’s more, showing more isn’t the only way—or even the best way—to prepare. While exposure to the competitive environment is valuable, it won’t help if you’re reinforcing bad habits or neglecting the mental preparation that bridges the gap between practice and performance. Simply “getting in the ring more” won’t fix what’s happening in your mind or address weaknesses in your approach.

Effective preparation is about quality, not just quantity. Are you training with intention? Practicing the same mistakes over and over, or repeating what feels easy, isn’t building the skills you need for competition. It’s better to focus on targeted areas of improvement and replicate show-like conditions, so you’re training your brain and body to perform under pressure.

Finally, preparation isn’t just about you. How are you setting your horse up for success? Horses thrive on clarity and consistency. If your cues are muddled or your sessions are rushed and chaotic, it impacts their performance as much as yours. Remember, a well-prepared rider creates a well-prepared horse.

Pro Tips for Better Preparation

Great riders don’t just practice—they simulate real show conditions. They practice patterns in full show attire, under time constraints, with the distractions of other riders, loudspeakers, and anything else they might encounter in the arena. They also build mental resilience, training their minds to stay calm under pressure and adapt to the unexpected.

But perhaps the most valuable tool in their preparation is reflection. After every ride, they evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and how they can improve. You have to track progress intentionally. This deliberate reflection builds a mental playbook that they can draw from when it matters most.

Why Execution Breaks Down

So why does execution falter, even when preparation feels solid? Understanding why execution falters can help you fix it. Nerves are often the culprit. High-stakes situations trigger a stress response that can hijack decision-making. Perfection paralysis is another common issue—riders who obsess over getting everything exactly right often overthink their way into mistakes. Finally, a lack of mental flexibility can cause riders to crumble when the unexpected happens.

Bridging the Gap with Mental Skills

This is where mental preparation becomes essential. Mental preparation bridges the gap between practice and performance. Here’s how. Techniques like breath control can help riders manage nerves and stay focused in the moment. Visualization is another game-changer—not just imagining the perfect run but rehearsing how to recover from mistakes. And learning to quickly shift focus from a misstep to the next maneuver can save a ride from going completely off the rails.

Self-Assessment: Are You Truly Ready?

Let’s do a quick self-check. Are you practicing patterns in show-like conditions? Are you reflecting on your rides to identify your strengths and weaknesses? Have you rehearsed how you’ll handle mistakes or unforeseen challenges? And most importantly, are you including mental preparation—like visualization or breathwork—in your routine?

If you’re not confident in your answers to these questions, it might be time to rethink how you prepare.

Client Success: What It Looks Like in Action

One of my clients was struggling with nerves during warm-ups, constantly second-guessing herself. After just a few sessions focusing on intentional preparation and mental resilience, she went into her next show calm, composed, and ready. She didn’t just place—she won her class.

Success like this isn’t reserved for the lucky few—it’s the result of preparation that’s intentional, adaptive, and backed by the right mental skills. Whether you’re heading to a high-stakes event or simply striving to improve, the strategies I’ve shared can help you show up with confidence and perform at your best when it matters most.

Ride on with confidence,
Nicole

Take the Next Step

Preparation isn’t just about putting in hours—it’s about practicing for success and planning for chaos. Want to bridge the gap between preparation and execution? I can help.

If you’re ready to close the Preparation Gap in your own riding, now’s the time to take action. You’ve already seen the difference it makes when riders blend intentional practice with mental preparation. Success doesn’t just happen—it’s created through focused effort, deliberate reflection, and resilience in the face of the unexpected.

Inside Resilient Reiner Academy, I teach you how to build these skills step by step, so you can confidently handle the pressures of competition and deliver your best when it counts. Imagine stepping into the show pen knowing you’ve prepared for anything—and trusting yourself to execute no matter what happens.

Whether your goal is a blue ribbon at the NRHA Futurity or simply leveling up your riding, the tools to get there are within reach. Don’t leave it to chance. Take the next step and join me in bridging the gap between where you are and where you want to be.