Why I'm an unambitious rider

Why I’m an unambitious rider

A lack of equestrian goals has helped me to enjoy a fulfilling—and even thrilling—life with horses.

I don’t believe in bucket lists. The notion of articulating an inventory of things I’d like to experience or achieve before I die holds zero appeal to me. I think bucket lists add unnecessary pressure to our already stressful lives.

My position on this extends to equestrian bucket lists as well. Horses are a huge part of my life—and I can’t remember a time when they weren’t—but I haven’t set a riding goal for almost 40 years. In fact, I may be the most unambitious rider you’ll ever meet. I have no interest in collecting ribbons or points, achieving levels within a sport or qualifying for anything.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy learning, problem-solving and finding success in the saddle. But I define these goals in very specific terms: A perfectly executed transition can leave me glowing for hours. So can successfully opening a gate from the back of an inexperienced trail mount or keeping up (and out of trouble) amid the controlled chaos of a group gallop across an open field.

Who needs a bucket list?

And my anti-bucket list stance doesn’t mean I haven’t had some remarkable experiences with horses. In a recent fit of nostalgia, I took stock of just a few of them: Trotting along the edge of cranberry bogs on a perfectly crisp autumn day; driving a cart pulled by a Morgan mare named Pearl down a country lane; perfecting the technique of vaulting onto a cantering horse from the ground; galloping a retired racehorse down the backstretch of a racetrack—getting just a taste of the power that could have been unleashed beneath me; watching a wild stallion stand sentry over his mares and foals on a remote barrier island beach.

I hadn’t set out to have any of these experiences. In many cases, I couldn’t even imagine them happening until they did. I’m not from a horsey background and for much of my life equestrian resources were scarce. I mucked stalls, farm-sat, taught lessons and basically did anything I could just to be around horses. I didn’t care what I did with them.

As I think about it more, I realize this may be the very reason why I’ve had so many diverse equestrian experiences. I wasn’t too focused on what I did with horses but remained open to however they found me.

Four rules to live by

Perhaps you aren’t a bucket-list sort of person, either. If that’s the case, consider my four rules for experiencing the most during a life with horses, without stressing yourself out with arbitrary goals and expectations:

• Don’t get hung up on discipline.

If you focus too intently on what you “do” with horses, you can easily overlook the chance to try something new and wonderful.

• Consider any rider who treats their horse well to be a potential friend.

You may use different tack, but the common ground of good horsemanship is a solid foundation to build on.

• Don’t worry about being good at something new.

New experiences can be as awkward as they are exhilarating. Of course, you don’t want to overface yourself, but if a fear of looking silly keeps you from trying something new, you’re going to miss out on a lot of fun.

• Keep the horse at the center of all your experiences.

Don’t get hung up on marquee venues, headlining trainers and prestigious awards. The horse is the true heart of equestrian sport—this lifestyle, this passion. Stay close to that and you will be rewarded in ways you could never anticipate.