Resilient Reiner

Podcast by Nicole Burnett

Resilient Reiner

The Resilient Reiner with Nicole Burnett is your go-to podcast dedicated to mental performance coaching for reiners and western horse riders. Join us as we explore the power of the mind and how it can elevate your performance with your horse to new heights. Each episode uncovers invaluable strategies, techniques, and mindset shifts to help you overcome mental barriers, boost confidence, and achieve peak performance in the saddle. From managing competition nerves to cultivating focus and resilience, our podcast provides actionable insights and real-life stories that inspire and empower horse riders at all levels. Whether you're a passionate non-pro, rookie reiner, veteran competitor or seasoned pro, The Resilient Reiner is your go-to source for sharpening your mental edge and unlocking your equestrian potential & transforming your riding journey. Tune in, harness the power of your mind, and ride towards excellence.

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Latest episodes

30 December 2025

#192 The easiest, no-fail way to memorize your pattern every single time

Never forget a pattern again.

If you ride patterns this episode is for you. Ranch riding, trail, reining, showmanship, horsemanship, 4-H kids. (Barrel racers, of course you’re welcome if you feel you need this).

Most riders don’t forget their pattern because they’re nervous — they forget it because they were never taught how to memorize one in the first place.

Somewhere along the way, “memorize the pattern” became an unspoken expectation, not a skill that was ever actually taught. You glance at it, maybe walk it once, tell yourself you’ve “got it,” and then cross your fingers hoping you make it through. Until the gate opens. Adrenaline hits. And suddenly your brain goes blank at marker two. Crap.

In this episode, I’m sharing a simple, science-backed method that makes patterns feel automatic — fast. Not by trying harder. Not by drilling it endlessly. But by training your brain the way it actually remembers under pressure. If you want to ride your horse into the pen with a clear head, free attention, and the ability to actually ride instead of mentally scrambling… this one’s for you.

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 genuinely curious to hear how this lands for you and whether you try this at your next horse show.

And if you haven’t already, leaving a review on iTunes helps other riders find this podcast — which means more calm, confident rides out there in the world.

In This Episode You Will Learn

Why most riders struggle with pattern memorization (and why it’s not a discipline or intelligence issue)
The real reason patterns disappear the moment adrenaline shows up
How your brain actually stores information for use under pressure
The Blackout Pattern-Memorization Method and how to use it in minutes
Why re-reading a pattern feels productive but doesn’t actually work
How freeing up your brain improves feel, timing, and connection with your horse
How to turn pattern knowledge into something that feels automatic — not fragile

Questions I Answer

Why do you know the pattern at your stall but blank in the pen?
Is it normal to forget parts of a pattern under pressure?
How long should it actually take to memorize a pattern?
What’s the difference between memorizing and retrieving information?
How can you stop your brain from hijacking your ride before you even start?
What’s the fastest way to feel confident you know your pattern riding into the arena?

Links & Resources:

🎯 5 Days to Confident Competitor

Stop “show nerves” and saddle up with swagger.

👉 https://nicoleburnettcoaching.thrivecart.com/5-days-to-confident-competitor/

🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy

The confidence to win so you ride like you belong.

👉 https://www.nicoleburnettcoaching.com/resilientreineracademy

🎯 Mental Gym for Equestrians

Train your mind like a pro so you ride like one.

👉 https://mentalgymforequestrians.com/

🎯 Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips

Get rider-specific mindset tools in your inbox. Join my email list here.

👉https://www.resilientreiner.com/

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10:46

23 December 2025

#191 Die Hard is a nervous system masterclass. Fight me.

Hot take: Die Hard is a Christmas movie.

Hotter take: it’s also the best mental performance lesson you didn’t know you needed.

Listen to this episode for my top 3 mental performance takeaways from Die Hard.

When watching one of my favorite Christmas movies, it hit me. John McClane is capable and effective not because he’s calm. He’s capable and effective because he knows how to respond inside chaos. And honestly? That’s the exact skill riders need in the saddle whether you compete or not.

Because let’s be real — the show pen is not a spa. It’s bright lights, loud speakers, rushed schedules, and a horse that suddenly thinks the gate banner is a government drone. If your confidence depends on everything going smoothly, it’s going to crack under pressure. In this episode, I’m breaking down why mental performance isn’t about “feeling calm,” but about staying functional when you’re not — and how a simple, repeatable response can keep you riding like yourself even when your nervous system is on high alert.

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 genuinely want to hear what clicked for you — or where you noticed this showing up in your own rides.

And if you haven’t already, please leave a review on iTunes. It helps other riders find this podcast and reminds them they’re not broken for feeling pressure — they just need better tools.

In This Episode You Will Learn

Why “calm” is not the requirement you think it is for good riding under pressure
What your nervous system is actually doing when show nerves hit
How to stop negotiating with panic when things start to feel intense
The difference between chasing perfect and riding responsively
A simple 30-second “anti-spiral” protocol you can use in the warm-up pen
Why identity drives performance more than confidence ever will
How having any plan reduces nervous system overwhelm on show day
How to rewrite the mental story that’s been sabotaging your consistency

Questions I Answer

Why do you feel more tense now than you did earlier in my riding career?
Is something wrong with you if you can’t “calm down” before you ride?
How do you stop spiraling when your horse spooks or things don’t go to plan?
What should you focus on when your brain feels totally fried in the pen?
How do you build confidence without waiting to “feel ready”?
What’s the simplest thing you can do when pressure hits mid-ride?

Links & Resources:

🎯 5 Days to Confident Competitor

Stop “show nerves” and saddle up with swagger.

👉 https://nicoleburnettcoaching.thrivecart.com/5-days-to-confident-competitor/

🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy

The confidence to win so you ride like you belong.

👉 https://www.nicoleburnettcoaching.com/resilientreineracademy

🎯 Mental Gym for Equestrians

Train your mind like a pro so you ride like one.

👉 https://mentalgymforequestrians.com/

🎯 Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips

Get rider-specific mindset tools in your inbox. Join my email list here.

👉https://www.resilientreiner.com/

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13:34

17 December 2025

#190 Have you ever played Mario Kart?

Nobody talks about this part of becoming a seasoned rider.

Not the beginning stages where fear makes sense.

Not the early wins where confidence feels exciting and loud.

I’m talking about the phase where you’re good… capable… experienced…

and yet riding starts to feel heavier instead of freer.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why so many solid riders hit a moment where their body starts treating the saddle like a risk instead of a refuge — and why that doesn’t mean you’re losing confidence or “going backward.”

This conversation came from a real-life moment that made everything click for me — and if you’ve ever wondered why you’re still riding but not quite in it the way you used to be, this one’s going to land.

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 genuinely curious to hear what resonated with you and what shifted after listening.

And if you haven’t already, please leave a review on iTunes — it helps more riders find the show and get the support they need. 🤍🐴

In This Episode You Will Learn

Why fear doesn’t always show up as quitting and how it often shows up as white-knuckling or scaling back
What it really means when riding starts to feel harder. (Hint: it doesn’t have to mean your skill level hasn’t changed)
The difference between confidence, fearlessness, and regulation (and why chasing fearless backfires)
Why responsibility, experience, and real life can change how your nervous system approaches riding
How “playing it safe” can quietly shrink your horse life without you realizing it
What it actually takes for confidence to come back in a sustainable way

Questions I Answer

Why does riding feel more tense now than it did years ago?
Is it normal to feel more cautious even though you’re a better rider?
How do you know if this is fear or something deeper?
Why does pressure feel so physical in my body?
What’s the difference between pushing through and rebuilding trust?
Can confidence come back without forcing yourself to be fearless?

Links & Resources:

🎯 5 Days to Confident Competitor

Stop “show nerves” and saddle up with swagger.

👉 https://nicoleburnettcoaching.thrivecart.com/5-days-to-confident-competitor/

🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy

The confidence to win so you ride like you belong.

👉 https://www.nicoleburnettcoaching.com/resilientreineracademy

🎯 Mental Gym for Equestrians

Train your mind like a pro so you ride like one.

👉 https://mentalgymforequestrians.com/

🎯 Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips

Get rider-specific mindset tools in your inbox. Join my email list here.

👉https://www.resilientreiner.com/

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16:00

10 December 2025

#189 “Tough love” is ruining your run.

If you talk to yourself like a drill sergeant, this one’s for you.

If you cheered for yourself the way you do your best friend… you’d already be winning. But instead? You’re in the barn running a mental bootcamp in your own head. Tough love? Nope. That’s trauma on loop—and it’s draining the life out of your ride.

Let’s call it what it is: The way most riders talk to themselves would get them kicked out of any decent warm-up pen if they said it to someone else. I’m diving into this because someone wrote to me and said, “Nicole, I’m SO hard on myself. I don’t want to be like this anymore.” And I felt that to my core. If you've ever walked out of the pen after one fumbled transition and spiraled for hours, this one’s for you.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the not-so-obvious ways your inner voice is wrecking your confidence—and how to change it without pretending everything’s fine or repeating toxic affirmations in the mirror. This is about building a real, unshakable inner coach—one that actually helps you ride better under pressure.

If this episode hit home for you—or if you know another rider who needs to hear this—be sure to tag me @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your crew. I want to hear what part made you pause and say, “Dang… that’s me.” And if you haven’t already, leave a review on iTunes to help more riders like you find this show!

🎧 IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Why “being hard on yourself” doesn’t actually make you more driven—it makes you exhausted
How to identify the root of your negative self-talk (spoiler: it didn’t start with you)
The difference between your inner critic and your inner coach—and how to shift toward the one that helps
Simple ways to practice self-compassion without feeling cheesy or fake
What it actually looks like to treat yourself like you treat your horse (yes, that includes do-overs and soft hands)
Why perfectionism is not a flex—it’s a trap
How grit, grace, and grounded rituals can build true resilience in AND out of the arena

❓ QUESTIONS I ANSWER:

“Why are you so mean to yourself—but so supportive of your friends?”
“What do you actually do when you notice you’re spiraling after a mistake?”
“Isn’t self-compassion just coddling yourself?”
“How do you stop trying to ‘earn’ your worth through riding?”

Links & Resources:

🎯 5 Days to Confident Competitor
Stop “show nerves” and saddle up with swagger.
👉 https://nicoleburnettcoaching.thrivecart.com/5-days-to-confident-competitor/
🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy
The confidence to win so you ride like you belong.
👉 https://www.nicoleburnettcoaching.com/resilientreineracademy
🎯 Mental Gym for Equestrians
Train your mind like a pro so you ride like one.
👉 https://mentalgymforequestrians.com/
🎯 Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips
Get rider-specific mindset tools in your inbox. Join my email list here.
👉https://www.resilientreiner.com/

You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. And you sure as hell don’t need to bully yourself into success. That’s not what makes great riders.

What makes them great? The ones who keep showing up—even when their brain is loud, their boots are muddy, and the warm-up didn’t go to plan.

You’ve got grit. You’ve got heart. Let’s get your brain back on your team.

👢 Keep riding with heart,

Nicole

Your Mental Performance Coach

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12:28

02 December 2025

#188 I Was Low-Key Trashing My Horse… Then I Tried This One Sentence

Have you ever ridden around and suddenly realized… you’re low-key trashing your own horse in your head?

Nothing dramatic. Nothing worthy of a meltdown.

Just that subtle, steady drip of:

“Ugh… this is uncomfortable.”

“Why are you doing that?”

“I wish you felt more like my other horse.”

Yep. I had one of those moments this week — and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Because even though I wasn’t yelling, yanking, or actually upset… my horse could still feel that I didn’t fully want to be there with him.

But then something wild happened.

I tested one simple sentence — genuinely, softly, out loud — and it completely flipped not just my ride… but my horse, my body, and honestly? My whole energy in the arena.

This episode breaks down what happened inside that little gratitude experiment, why it worked so powerfully on both of my horses, and how you can use this one sentence to shift any ride — even the ones that feel “meh,” sticky, or downright frustrating.

If you’ve been needing a reset… if your patience has felt thin… or if your horse has been carrying the weight of your exhaustion, irritation, or distracted brain — you’re going to love this one.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag me @nicoleburnettmentalcoach, @resilientreiner, and (if you share a rider story) your horse’s Instagram handle too.

Share it with your barn friends or your riding group — I love seeing these episodes travel through the community.

I’m genuinely curious to hear how this lands for you and what happens the first time you try the gratitude ride.

And don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes so other riders can find these tools and ride with more clarity, calm, and confidence.

🎧 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

The exact moment I realized I was mentally criticizing my horse without even meaning to
The one sentence I said out loud that instantly changed my ride
How your brain’s “search filter” shifts when you intentionally choose appreciation
Why genuine gratitude softens your nervous system and cleans up your riding cues
How your horse can feel the difference between “ugh, fine” vs. “I’m glad it’s you today”
Why gratitude isn’t pretending — it’s choosing what part of reality to amplify
A simple 4-step gratitude ride challenge you can try on any horse, any day
How to reset your focus when little frustrations start piling up
How regulating you gives your horse permission to settle and trust

❓ QUESTIONS I ANSWER INSIDE THIS EPISODE:

Why does my ride sometimes feel “off” even when nothing is technically wrong?
How does my horse pick up on my thoughts or energy so quickly?
What happens in the brain when I switch from negative focus to gratitude?
Can one sentence really change the feel of a ride?
What am I supposed to do when negative thoughts pop up mid-ride?
How do I find something to be grateful for when my horse is being spicy, green, or frustrating?
Why does gratitude help my timing, feel, and connection improve?
How do I keep my mindset from sliding into nitpicking or comparison?

Links & Resources:

🎯 5 Days to Confident Competitor

Stop “show nerves” and saddle up with swagger.

👉 https://nicoleburnettcoaching.thrivecart.com/5-days-to-confident-competitor/

🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy

The confidence to win so you ride like you belong.

👉 https://www.nicoleburnettcoaching.com/resilientreineracademy

🎯 Mental Gym for Equestrians

Train your mind like a pro so you ride like one.

👉 https://mentalgymforequestrians.com/

🎯 Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips

Get rider-specific mindset tools in your inbox. Join my email list here.

👉https://www.resilientreiner.com/

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18:10

25 November 2025

#187 Does Gratitude Make You Soft?

I’ll shoot you straight—this isn’t a fluffy episode about sunshine, rainbows, and “just be thankful.”

This is about a tension riders quietly wrestle with all the time:

If I practice gratitude… will I lose my edge?

One of my riders asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks:

“Nicole, does gratitude make me less ambitious?”

Maybe you’ve felt that tug too. If you loosen your grip, will you start settling? If you let yourself breathe, does that mean you don’t want it badly enough anymore?

In this episode, we peel that apart.

Because the real cost of riding without gratitude isn’t that you’ll suddenly go soft—it’s that you burn yourself out chasing harder, faster, never-enough.

And the cost of riding without ambition? Drifting. Coasting. Riding smaller than you and your horse are capable of.

Neither feels good.

But together? Gratitude and ambition can fuel you in a way that steadies your seat, calms your nervous system, and keeps your fire lit for the long haul.

If you’ve ever braced your body in the saddle from sheer dissatisfaction, or felt that hamster wheel spin of “never enough,” this episode is going to give you clarity—and maybe the freedom—you’ve been looking for.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share it with your community. I’d love to hear what lands for you. And if this podcast has helped you, leaving a quick review on iTunes helps more riders find this work.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

Why gratitude isn’t the enemy of ambition—it’s the anchor that steadies it
The difference between “gratitude as a cop-out” and “gratitude as fuel”
How some riders accidentally use “I’m just grateful…” to avoid discomfort and growth
How to practice thankfulness without lowering your bar, losing your fire, or going soft on your goals
The difference between riding from dissatisfaction vs. riding from grounded drive
How gratitude can purify your ambition instead of watering it down
Practical ways to be deeply grateful for where you are and still hungry for more

Questions I Answer:

Does gratitude actually make riders less ambitious?
What really happens in your body when you ride from dissatisfaction?
How can gratitude improve your performance instead of dulling it?
What does ambition look like when it’s fueled by gratitude instead of fear?

Links & Resources:

🎯 5 Days to Confident Competitor

Stop “show nerves” and saddle up with swagger.

👉 https://nicoleburnettcoaching.thrivecart.com/5-days-to-confident-competitor/

🎯 Resilient Reiner Academy

The confidence to win so you ride like you belong.

👉 https://www.nicoleburnettcoaching.com/resilientreineracademy

🎯 Mental Gym for Equestrians

Train your mind like a pro so you ride like one.

👉 https://mentalgymforequestrians.com/

🎯 Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips

Get rider-specific mindset tools in your inbox. Join my email list here.

👉https://www.resilientreiner.com/

This conversation isn’t about choosing gratitude or ambition—it’s about learning to ride with both. Because the truth is, when you ground yourself in gratitude, you actually free up the energy to chase harder, ride clearer, and enjoy the ride more along the way.

Nicole

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