Resilient Reiner

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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

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03 February 2026

#197 3 Mental Hacks Every Western Rider Should Know to Perform at Their Best

There’s a moment I see over and over again at horse shows.

A rider lopes in looking sharp… then within the first few maneuvers, something subtle changes.

Hands get busy.

Timing gets rushed.

The horse starts guessing.

WTF happened? Pressure quietly hijacked access to everything they do know.

This episode is about the three mental leverage points that decide whether your riding shows up when it counts — or stays trapped in the stall back home. These aren’t hypey mindset tricks or “just believe harder” advice. They’re the skills elite riders are actually training (whether they realize it or not) to stay effective when adrenaline hits.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why can I ride this so well at home but not in the pen?” — this one’s for you.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag me @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community. I’m genuinely curious to hear what landed for you and what shifted after listening.

And if you haven’t yet, leaving a review on iTunes helps other riders find the show — it means more than you know.

🎧 In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why focus isn’t about “trying harder” — and how pressure quietly pulls your attention out of the ride
  • The difference between riding from hope vs. riding from identity
  • Why confidence feels inconsistent for skilled riders (and how to stabilize it)
  • What actually happens in your body when adrenaline shows up
  • Why “calm” isn’t the goal — and what is
  • How nervous system regulation protects your timing, feel, and decision-making
  • The three mental skills that give you access to your real riding under pressure

❓ Questions I Answer:

  • Why do I feel solid at home but fall apart in the show pen?
  • Why does pressure make my cues rushed or my hands stiff?
  • Why doesn’t positive self-talk work when I’m nervous?
  • What causes confidence to disappear even when I know I can ride?
  • How do elite riders stay steady without forcing calm?
  • Why does my horse feel different when I’m anxious?
  • How do I stop over-managing myself mid-run? (Aka how the hell do you calm tf down?)

Links & Resources:

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28 January 2026

#196 Horse Show Nerves — Why “Just Stay Positive” Doesn’t Work

There’s always that one moment in the warmup pen where well meaning folks just can’t keep their mouth shut with (unwanted) advice.

“Breathe.”

“Stay positive.”

“Don’t think about it.”

And you’re nodding like, yes, thank you, while your brain is absolutely not receiving the message.

That’s what we’re talking about today.

Because if “just stay positive” actually worked, horse show nerves wouldn’t be such a universal experience. And yet here we are — capable riders, good horses, solid preparation… still dealing with show day anxiety that feels bigger than logic.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why that advice misses the mark, what’s really happening in your nervous system when pressure hits, and how to work with your brain instead of trying to pep-talk it into silence. This is about riding effectively under pressure — not pretending you feel calm when you don’t.

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’m genuinely curious to hear what shifted for you.

And if you haven’t already, leaving a review on iTunes helps other riders dealing with show nerves and performance anxiety find this podcast — thank you for being part of that ripple.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why “just stay positive” isn’t a real strategy for horse show anxiety
  • What’s actually happening in your nervous system when warmup pen nerves hit
  • How toxic positivity can increase negative self-talk under pressure
  • The difference between feeling calm and being regulated enough to ride well
  • How to replace spiraling thoughts with one clear, controllable cue
  • Why pro riders recover faster instead of riding perfectly
  • Practical tools to stay present when your brain wants to panic

Questions I Answer:

  • Why do show day nerves feel so intense even when I’m prepared?
  • Is feeling nervous a sign that I’m not ready?
  • Why does my self-talk get harsher the more pressure I’m under?
  • What do I do when I can’t calm down before I go in the pen?
  • How do I recover mentally after a mistake instead of blowing the whole run?
  • What’s a better alternative to “think positive” when my brain is racing?

Links & Resources:

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21 January 2026

#195 What Riders Get Wrong About Confidence — and What I Teach My Clients Instead

There’s a moment right before the gate opens when everything gets loud.

Not outside — inside.

Your horse is fine. The pattern is familiar. But your brain suddenly decides this is the perfect time to replay every ride that didn’t go the way you wanted. And somehow, riders have been taught that if this happens… it means they’re not confident.

That idea? It’s flat-out wrong.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest myths riders believe about confidence — the ones that keep even skilled, hardworking riders feeling inconsistent, tight, and frustrated — and I’m sharing what I actually teach my clients instead. Because confidence isn’t about feeling calm, fearless, or “positive” all the time. It’s not something you either have or don’t.

It’s something you train — in the right order.

We’re talking nervous systems, inner voices, identity, and why “just stay positive” often makes things worse under pressure. I’ll walk you through the exact framework I use with my clients inside Mental Gym for Equestrians so you can understand what confidence is actually made of — and why it stops being so fragile once you build it correctly.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag me @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community!

I am genuinely curious to hear what shifted for you while listening.

And if this episode hit home, please leave a review on iTunes — it helps more riders find this work and know they’re not broken or behind.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why confidence is not a personality trait — and why that belief keeps riders stuck
  • What’s actually happening in your body when confidence “disappears” under pressure
  • Why mindset tools fail when your nervous system is dysregulated
  • The difference between conditional confidence and real, durable confidence
  • Why confident riders still feel nerves — and what they do differently when they show up
  • The exact order confidence needs to be built in (and why most riders get it backwards)
  • How to stop treating nerves like an emergency and start treating them like information
  • The 4R Framework I use with my clients to build steady, repeatable confidence
  • How to stop erasing your progress after one rough ride
  • What it actually takes to ride like yourself when pressure is loud

Questions I Answer:

  • “Why does your confidence disappear the second something goes wrong?”
  • “Why do affirmations work sometimes… but completely fail under pressure?”
  • “Why do you feel confident at home but fall apart at shows?”
  • “Is confidence supposed to come after the ride goes well?”
  • “Why does your brain get so loud even when you know better?”
  • “How do confident riders ride forward even when they feel nervous?”
  • “What do you do when my inner voice hijacks your timing and decisions?”
  • “How do you stop one bad moment from ruining the entire ride?”

Links & Resources:

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13 January 2026

#194 The 70% Rule: Why Riding More Can Make You Worse

Here’s a little truth bomb that ruffles feathers every time I say it:

Some of the most dedicated riders I work with are working too hard to get better — and it’s quietly wrecking their consistency.

Not because they’re lazy. Not because they don’t want it enough.

But because they’ve bought into the idea that progress is earned through nonstop grinding: more rides, more drilling, tighter schedules, zero margin for rest or reflection.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the 70% Calendar Rule — a simple but powerful shift that helps riders ride better, think clearer, and build confidence that actually sticks. If your rides feel rushed, your horse feels a little fried, or your confidence swings wildly week to week… this one’s for you.

Grinding isn’t the flex. Consistency is.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag me

@nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community!

I’m genuinely curious to hear how this lands for you — especially if you try the 70% rule for a week. And if you haven’t already, leaving a review on iTunes helps other riders find this podcast and get the support they need.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why “more rides” doesn’t automatically equal more confidence
  • How overscheduling quietly creates tight rides, mental fatigue, and sour horses
  • The difference between discipline and overload (and why most riders confuse the two)
  • What the 70% Calendar Rule actually looks like in a real rider’s week
  • How mental reps, warm-ups, and debriefs are the glue that make progress stick
  • Why space — not pressure — is often the missing ingredient in consistency
  • How to tell if your schedule is helping your riding… or sabotaging it

Questions I Answer:

  • Why do I feel guilty when I take a lighter riding day?
  • Can riding less really help me ride better?
  • How do I stop feeling like I’m always behind?
  • Why does my horse feel flat or sour even though I’m “doing everything right”?
  • How much structure is helpful — and when does it become counterproductive?
  • What should I actually do on “off” or lighter days without losing momentum?

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/

If your calendar is so packed that you’re skipping warm-ups, rushing rides, and never taking a second to reflect… that’s not discipline. That’s overload.

You already care enough.

You already want it badly enough.

This week, try leaving a little space on purpose — and watch what changes.

Stay consistent,

Nicole

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06 January 2026

#193 Do This To Start Your New Year Off Right

Here’s a hot take to kick off the New Year:

Most riders don’t need a new goal… they need better honesty.

Every January, I see riders pile on fresh resolutions, bigger expectations, and a whole lot of pressure — all without stopping to look at what actually moved the needle last year. And that’s how you end up repeating the same patterns, just with a shiny new calendar and a different number written at the top.

In this episode, I’m sharing the simple two-question ritual I do every year — one that takes about ten minutes, requires zero hype, and consistently creates the biggest shifts in confidence, consistency, and mindset. No shame. No self-attack. Just real data from your own riding life… and a much clearer path forward.

If you want this year to feel different because you’re different, this episode is your starting line.

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’m genuinely curious to hear what clicked for you — and I read every message.

And if you haven’t yet, leaving a quick review on iTunes is one of the best ways to help other riders find this work. It means more than you know.

In This Episode You Will Learn

  • Why repeating what actually worked matters more than chasing the next “fix”
  • How to evaluate your riding year without turning it into a self-criticism spiral
  • The difference between effort and effectiveness in your mindset
  • Why the things that didn’t work are often your greatest teachers
  • How to use your nervous system responses as data instead of judgment
  • A practical, repeatable way to build confidence on purpose this year
  • How small habits quietly create the biggest shifts in consistency and calm

Questions I Answer

  • Why do you keep working hard but not seeing consistent results?
  • How do you evaluate your riding year without beating yourself up?
  • What if you don’t know why something worked — does it still count?
  • How can you learn from mistakes without making them mean something about you?
  • What should you actually focus on changing this year?
  • How do confident riders adapt without losing belief in themselves?

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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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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