Janet Salem's definition of an equestrian athlete!!!

1.She works really hard without complaint because she WANTS to be the best.



2.She is strong and fit. She doesn't just ride. She runs,hikes, swim. Riding or showing one horse per day is nothing to an athlete. One horse a day is EASY!



3.She rides anything she can throw a leg over for experience. She tries to figure it out & make it better, & shes greatful for the opportunity. The tougher the better.

4. She looks at difficulties as challenges and tackles them head-on. If she falls off she climbs back on and tries again.

5. She doesn't make excuses. She doesn't blame the horse for her own shortcomings.

6. She has disipline to work on her weak points even if it's not fun. She works without being made-to in a formal lesson or being told and nagged at by a parent. She uses her lesson times to learn new things.

7. She makes progress because she works and practices and is motivated to get better. She makes progress because as she learns a new skill or idea, she practices it untill she prefects it & then she learns a new one. That is progress. She doesn't waste time practicing the same mistake over and over again.

8. She doesn't let negative attitude hold her back. Negative attitude impedes progress. She turns frustration into focus.

9. She appreciates the commitment & devotion of her coach and her parents, and she is grateful for their help because she can't do it without them. She needs her parents' support, and she needs her coach's' energy and enthusiasm!
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