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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07 July 2026

#214 Toxic Trainer or Tough Coach? 9 Red Flags Riders and Parents Shouldn’t Ignore

There’s a moment a lot of riders don’t talk about out loud…

You swing off your horse, loosen the cinch, and instead of feeling better—you feel smaller. Quieter. A little unsure of yourself.

And here’s the hard truth no one says in the barn aisle:

Not every “tough” trainer is actually making you better.

In this episode, we’re getting honest about a topic that comes up way more than people admit—how to tell the difference between a coach who’s pushing you to grow and one who’s quietly tearing down your confidence, your decision-making, and your relationship with your horse.

Because in the western world, we’ve normalized a lot in the name of grit, discipline, and results. But there’s a line. And if you’ve ever walked away from a ride feeling confused, ashamed, or like you’re losing your voice… we need to talk about it.

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

Also, be sure to leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the show. 🤍🐎

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • The critical difference between a tough coach and a toxic trainer (and why most riders miss it)
  • Why “hard” training is not the same as harmful training—for you or your horse
  • The subtle signs your confidence is being built… versus slowly broken down
  • How unhealthy trainer dynamics impact your nervous system, riding performance, and decision-making
  • Why confusion and self-doubt can actually be created—not just “in your head”
  • The role of barn culture and how it shapes your experience in the saddle
  • What healthy, high-level coaching actually looks like in the western horse world
  • How to trust your gut again when something feels off
  • What to watch for if you’re a parent with a youth rider
  • The shift from dependence → independence (and why that matters for long-term success with your horse)

Questions I Answer:

  • How do you know if your trainer is helping you grow or hurting your confidence?
  • Is it normal to feel nervous, ashamed, or afraid around my trainer?
  • Where is the line between discipline and emotional harm in riding?
  • Why do you feel like you can’t ask questions or speak up in your lessons?
  • How do toxic dynamics affect your riding and my horse’s performance?
  • What does a healthy trainer-client relationship actually look like?
  • What should you do if something feels off but you can’t fully explain it?
  • How can you advocate for yourself (or your child) without feeling disrespectful?
  • Is it okay to get a second opinion or leave a trainer?

Links & Resources:

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01 July 2026

#213 How to Plus Your Sliding Stop Every Time

It’s the crown jewel of reining. A fan favorite to watch. And a rider favorite to perform.

Yet you can have the horse, the training, and the maneuver… and still leave points in the pen.

Here’s the part riders don’t always want to hear—most missed sliding stops aren’t lost in the dirt… they’re lost 30 feet before the marker. Right in that rundown where everything should feel simple, but suddenly your body tightens, your mind jumps ahead, and your horse feels you check out.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why your sliding stop isn’t actually a “stop problem.” It’s a pressure problem. A timing problem. A presence problem. And once you see it, you won’t be able to unsee it.

We’re talking about what really changes in your body when the speed goes up, why anticipation quietly steals your score, and how to stay committed all the way through the maneuver so your horse can actually show you what they’ve got.

Because the goal isn’t to try harder at the marker.

It’s to become the kind of rider your horse can trust all the way down the pen.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach @resilientreiner and @[GuestInstagramHandle] on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I am curious to hear all about your experience. Also, be sure to leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the show.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why most sliding stops lose quality before the cue ever happens
  • The difference between riding into the stop vs. bracing for it
  • How anticipation and overthinking change your body (and your horse feels it instantly)
  • What actually happens to your timing when pressure goes up in the rundown
  • Why fear around speed quietly holds riders back from bigger scores
  • The real reason “trying harder at the marker” doesn’t fix your stop
  • How your nervous system impacts your horse’s performance more than you think
  • What it means to stay committed all the way through a maneuver
  • The subtle ways riders “pre-stop” without realizing it
  • How to ride forward with confidence instead of backing off under pressure

Questions I Answer:

  • Why does your sliding stop feel good at home but fall apart in the show pen?
  • How do you stop anticipating the stop and stay present in the rundown?
  • Why does your horse feel different when you get nervous or start thinking ahead?
  • Do you need more speed or more control to get better stops?
  • Why do you tense up right before the marker—even when you don’t want to?
  • How can you stay committed to the maneuver without bracing or overthinking it?
  • What should you focus on during the rundown instead of the stop itself?
  • Why does adding speed make you feel out of control—and how do you fix that?

Links & Resources:

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24 June 2026

#212 Do THIS for More Speed + Confidence With Your Horse

You can’t fake speed. But it can be so hard to feel comfortable with the speed required to plus your stops, chase down your cow, or win the barrel race.

I’ve watched riders ask for more go… then shut it down in the very next stride without even realizing it. Hands get busy, bodies get tight, and suddenly the same rider who wanted more speed is now trying to survive it. And the horse? They feel every bit of that mixed message.

In this episode, we’re getting real about what’s actually happening when speed feels messy, scary, or out of control in the saddle. Because this isn’t about “just being braver” or “kicking harder.” This is about how your body interprets speed—and whether your horse experiences you as clear… or conflicted.

We’re going to break down why speed isn’t the problem—it’s the mirror. And how learning to stay present, organized, and steady when the energy goes up is what actually creates confidence, connection, and clean performance—whether you’re in the show pen, working cattle, or just loping at home trying to feel more in sync with your horse.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I am curious to hear all about your experience. Also, be sure to leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the show.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why wanting more speed and feeling safe at speed are two completely different things
  • What your horse actually feels when your body says “go” but your nervous system says “nope”
  • The hidden ways riders accidentally shut down speed without realizing it
  • Why speed exposes tension, hesitation, and lack of trust faster than anything else
  • How your nervous system response—not your riding ability—is often the real limiter
  • The difference between forcing speed vs. actually riding it well
  • How to build confidence at faster gaits without turning into a chaotic or reactive rider
  • What “organized speed” really looks and feels like in western riding disciplines
  • The small, practical shifts that help you stay present when the energy picks up
  • Why confidence isn’t about eliminating nerves—but learning to ride through them

Questions I Answer:

  • Why does your horse feel harder to ride the moment you ask for more speed?
  • How do you stop getting tight or bracing when your horse gets more forward?
  • Why can you get speed sometimes, but it never feels clean or controlled?
  • Is this a confidence issue, a training issue, or something deeper?
  • How do you build speed without feeling like you’re losing control of your horse?
  • What should you focus on instead of just trying to go faster?
  • Why do you shut things down right when it starts to feel good?
  • How can you stay mentally present instead of panicking when the energy goes up?

Links & Resources:

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17 June 2026

#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

• The reason trying harder kept making the problem worse

• Why MJ decided to join Mental Gym for Equestrians after seeing results from Five Days to Confident Competitor

• The exact pre-ride routine she now uses before every ride

• How tapping, breathing, grounding, and nervous system regulation changed her confidence

• The surprising thing she did before entering the herd that led to one of her best runs ever

• How she cut all three cows clean after years of struggling in the herd work

• What helped her break into the 70s in the reining for the first time

• Why staying present became more important than riding perfectly

• How she learned to stop riding everyone else's ride and focus on her own

• The mindset shift that helped her stop putting so much pressure on herself

• Why she now says, "Be a dog" before important runs

• How journaling helped her recreate great rides instead of obsessing over mistakes

• What it means to train your brain the same way you train your horse

• Why her biggest win had nothing to do with scores, checks, or year-end awards

• The powerful lesson she learned about investing in herself

Questions We Answer:

• Why do you ride so much better at home than you do at horse shows?

• Why does your horse feel completely different in the show pen?

• What can you do when you start spiraling before a run?

• How do you stop overthinking during reining patterns and cow work?

• What should you focus on when nerves start taking over?

• How do you stay present when you’re competing?

• Why do you keep putting so much pressure on myself?

• How can you trust your horse more under pressure?

• What tools help regulate horse show nerves in the moment?

• How do you stop comparing yourself to other riders in your barn?

• What does it actually look like to train your mental game?

• How do you become the rider your horse needs you to be?

Links/Resources:

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02 June 2026

#210 Why Does My Horse Ride Better for My Trainer?

Seriously, what’s up with that?

Here’s a little barn reality no one likes to admit out loud…

Your horse didn’t suddenly become a saint when your trainer swung a leg over.

Same horse. Same saddle. Same arena.

And yet… everything looks smoother, lighter, easier.

That moment can mess with your head if you let it.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s actually happening when your horse goes better for your trainer—and why it’s not a reflection of your worth, your talent, or your future as a rider.

Because this isn’t about your horse “respecting them more.”

It’s about clarity, timing, energy… and the version of you that shows up in the saddle.

We’re going to take the emotion out of it, look at what’s really changing in the ride, and give you a clear, grounded way to start closing that gap—so your horse can find that same softness, responsiveness, and connection with you.

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

Also, be sure to leave a review on iTunes to help other riders discover the show and get the mental support they need in and out of the saddle.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why your horse working better for your trainer is not about favoritism, respect, or talent
  • The real reason timing, feel, and clarity change between riders
  • How emotional pressure quietly affects your cues, body, and communication with your horse
  • The difference between riding your horse… and riding your thoughts
  • Why “trying harder” often makes your horse feel heavier, not better
  • The hidden cost of over-riding, over-cueing, and micromanaging every stride
  • How consistency (not intensity) builds trust and relaxation in your horse
  • What your horse is actually telling you when things feel harder under you
  • The role your nervous system plays in your horse’s performance and responsiveness
  • How to shift from self-criticism to curiosity so you can actually improve
  • The one mistake riders make after watching their trainer ride—and what to do instead
  • Simple ways to start creating a clearer, quieter ride your horse can understand

Questions I Answer:

  • Why does your horse listen better to your trainer than you?
  • Does your horse respect your trainer more?
  • Are you doing something wrong… or are you just not good enough?
  • Why does everything feel heavier when you try to fix things?
  • How do you stop overthinking while you’re riding?
  • What should you actually focus on when you watch your trainer ride your horse?
  • How do you start closing the gap between how your horse feels for your trainer vs. yourself?
  • Is this a confidence issue, a timing issue, or something deeper?
  • How do you stay present instead of riding past mistakes or future problems?
  • What can you realistically change in your rides without trying to fix everything at once?

Links & Resources:

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19 May 2026

#209 Why Do Affirmations Work on Instagram but Not in the Warm-Up Pen?

I’m going to say something that might ruffle a few feathers…

If affirmations were enough, more riders would be winning in the show pen.

Not because you’re not saying the right things.

But because when your horse feels the pressure, your body is already telling a different story.

Picture this for a second—you're sitting on your horse, everything felt fine at home, you know your cues, you’ve practiced, you’ve even told yourself, “I’ve got this.”

And then you hit the warm-up pen.

Energy shifts. Eyes are on you. Someone next to you looks sharper, faster, more polished.

And suddenly… your brain gets loud, your body tightens, your timing feels off, and that confident version of you? Gone.

This episode is where we unpack why that happens—and more importantly, what actually helps you stay steady, clear, and connected to your horse when it matters most.

Because this isn’t about thinking better thoughts.

It’s about becoming a rider your horse can trust under pressure.

If you or someone you know has benefited from this episode, be sure to tag us @nicoleburnettmentalcoach @resilientreiner on Instagram and share this episode with your community! I am curious to hear all about your experience. Also, be sure to leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the show.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Why affirmations can feel powerful at home—but fall apart in the warm-up pen
  • What’s actually happening in your nervous system when pressure hits
  • The difference between a thought problem and a state problem in riding
  • Why your horse responds to your internal state more than your intentions
  • How pressure changes your timing, cues, and decision-making in the saddle
  • The real reason one small mistake can spiral into a full breakdown
  • What effective self-talk actually needs to be under pressure (and why most riders get this wrong)
  • The three qualities your self-talk must have to actually work when it counts
  • Why trying to “be positive” can sometimes make things worse
  • What it looks like to come back to yourself mid-ride, even when your brain gets loud

Questions I Answer:

  • Why do affirmations work at home but not at horse shows?
  • What should you do when your brain starts spiraling in the warm-up pen?
  • Why do you feel confident one minute and completely off the next?
  • How do you stop overthinking when you’re about to go in the gate?
  • What’s actually happening when your horse starts to feel tense or disconnected?
  • How do you stay present and ride the horse youI have under pressure?
  • Why does one mistake turn into multiple mistakes during a run?
  • What kind of self-talk actually helps in high-pressure moments?

Links & Resources:

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