#211 “I Could Win at Home… Then I Entered the Show Pen” with MJ

"I could win everything at home... if they judged me there."

When MJ said that during our conversation, I knew exactly what she meant.

Because here's the thing: she wasn't lacking horse training. She wasn't lacking effort. She wasn't lacking a good horse or a good trainer. In fact, she had all of those things. But every time she rode through the gate at a horse show, everything changed. Her body tightened, her hand came up, her legs got stiff, and the rider she knew she was at home seemed to disappear.

This week's guest is MJ Anderson, an Air Force veteran, non-pro reined cow horse competitor, and one of the most determined horsewomen I've had the privilege of supporting through The Mental Gym for Equestrians. In this conversation, she shares how years of frustration in the show pen led her to build a real mental toolbox, develop a pre-run routine she can trust, and finally learn how to stay present when the pressure is on.

What I love about MJ's story is that it isn't about becoming fearless.

It's about learning how to stop abandoning yourself the moment pressure shows up.

And because of that, it's a story I think every Western rider needs to hear.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I am curious to hear all about your experience.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• Why MJ felt like two completely different riders at home versus horse shows

• What happened when her trainer finally told her, "You need a mental coach"

• How pressure was changing her horse's behavior before she even realized it