Schedules are an important part of being in training. As a rider, you must have a schedule that includes both you and your horse. Schedules are important so that you stay on track as much as possible. It is useful to look back over your schedules as well, and see what you have accomplished and what you have missed. Training without a plan or schedule is like setting off to sea in a boat without a rudder…you have no direction. A well thought out schedule is imperative in helping you reach your goals. It is a prerequisite to a training program!
Having goals (dreams with deadlines) is a crucial part of making your schedule. Yes, some goals are long term but you must have shorter term ones that lead toward bigger ones. Here it helps to have an overview of the progressive levels in our National competitions:
Levels
If you have a schedule that is geared toward your success, you will be surprised at how you will work to follow it as much as possible (if your goals are important to you.) Of course there will be days that your schedule gets tossed aside because of outside influences but think of this… if you are true to following it, your schedule can be squeezed in pretty well during your day SOMEWHERE, and if not, you can rest easy knowing that you have done so well with you dedication to your schedule that the OCCASIONAL faux pas will not hurt too much.
The will to win is helpful but the will to prepare is a far greater challenge. A prepared rider is a confident rider. Confidence creates winners. Learn to have a plan and be persistent about following your schedules. Work at your preparation. No one can do this for you. No horse is easy enough. No amount of cash will teach you to sweat. No article of clothing will sway the judge. No amount of lessons will make you a winner. The work comes solely from you. Your success is totally up to you and your desire jump on in and to work toward it.
That said, I KNOW that it is a GOOD idea to have a notebook and WRITE DOWN a daily plan. Have a goal date. Have an idea of where you want to be on your goal date and then plan your days & weeks up to that date. (I can help you with this.) You must keep track of workouts that you do and the ones you miss so that you know where you are. Keep in mind all of the things that you hope to accomplish within one year and then break it down into 3-6 month increments. You can be basic (by the week) and then I can help you fill in the daily blanks. Some work will be repetitive (for consistency and for possible missed sessions) and some will be new work. Your notebook will be your life line to your goals and will make your training so much more grounded.
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