{"id":4347,"date":"2023-07-20T13:05:13","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T17:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lynallen.com\/?p=4347"},"modified":"2023-07-20T13:05:13","modified_gmt":"2023-07-20T17:05:13","slug":"the-performance-booster-were-just-beginning-to-understand-how-5-little-minutes-made-a-big-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lynallen.com\/the-performance-booster-were-just-beginning-to-understand-how-5-little-minutes-made-a-big-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"The Performance Booster We’re Just Beginning to Understand: How 5 Little Minutes Made a BIG Difference"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"In the summer of 1969,<\/strong> as a horse-crazy 16-year-old girl, I participated in my first hunter\/jumper horseshow. It was a blur of sights, sounds and smells, featuring sweaty horses and riders \u2013 and I thought I had found nirvana.<\/p>\n

Generous stablemates had loaned me kit so I looked like a Franken-rider, patched together with bits and pieces, most of them too large and well-worn. My feet were wrapped in towels to stop the loaner-boots from falling off; the hard hat was stuffed with paper to keep it from drooping down to my nose.<\/p>\n

My horse, Skipper, lacking the pedigree and stature of the tall, sleek Thoroughbreds, had never been intended for this kind of show ring.<\/span><\/h3>\n

The only ribbon we took home that day? A third place for Hunter Conformation, based on Skipper\u2019s body type and condition.<\/p>\n

\u201cA fluke,\u201d I thought, \u201cOr the result of an unaccountably sympathetic judge.\u201d<\/p>\n

I did not receive a ribbon in the Hunt Seat Equitation class, which judged the riders\u2019 abilities.<\/p>\n

Fast forward 6 months to a different show with a different outcome.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Yes, by then I was kitted out with well-fitting gear of my own, and yes, Skipper and I had trained for an additional half-year.<\/p>\n

But what made the difference between the 2 events was not the shiny new kit or even the additional months of training.<\/p>\n

It was something so small, it could be easily overlooked.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Right before going into the ring for the Junior Hunt Seat Equitation Class, I noticed one of my stable mates speaking with our riding coach.<\/p>\n

As I watched, he gave her a few last-minute pointers on how to do well in the ring.<\/p>\n

She trotted off to line up for the class, and I nudged Skipper over to the now-open spot beside our coach.<\/p>\n

I asked , \u201cDo you have any tips for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where this gets really interesting.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Nothing he said was new, or even remarkable.\u00a0 Instead, he reminded me of what I already knew: Heels down, wrists loose but not floppy, back straight.<\/p>\n

Skipper and I moved away to join the line entering the ring.<\/p>\n

The event took on a time-out-of-time quality. Skipper was amazing and we worked together seamlessly. I knew \u201cit felt good,\u201d but until the end, had no idea just how good.<\/p>\n

The judge dismissed everyone not taking a ribbon in the class\u2026and Skipper and I remained in the ring. – with the more expensive horses and experienced (and well-funded) riders.<\/p>\n

As ribbons were awarded to each rider, starting with sixth place, that rider would leave the ring. Until at last, there were just two of us remaining, the other rider who had asked for coaching from our teacher, and me.<\/p>\n

I thought, \u201cHow cool! We got 2nd<\/sup> place!\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\n

Turns out, we took first instead.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This former Franken-rider, come lately to the sport on a horse never meant to be a hunter\/jumper, floated out of the ring clutching a blue ribbon and engraved silver cup.<\/p>\n

You can argue the new gear boosted my confidence and the additional months of training helped develop skills.<\/p>\n

But over half a century later, I recognize something far more significant:<\/span><\/h3>\n