#163 When Riding Plans Go Off the Rails: Here’s What I’m Learning

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Truth bomb: Sometimes the biggest growth as a rider comes when you don’t get to ride.

This one’s personal. I’m bringing you behind the scenes of what’s been going on with my horses lately—yep, two three-year-olds, big dreams, and a whole lot of unexpected detours. Between surprise injuries, weather chaos, and a few humbling reality checks, I had to let go of the perfect plan… and remind myself what I actually care about: healthy horses, long-haul progress, and being the kind of rider who doesn’t crumble when things go sideways.

If your horse training plan has gone off track and your brain is spiraling with “I’m behind,” this episode is the deep breath and mindset reset you didn’t know you needed.

🤠 If this episode hit home, I’d love to hear about it. Tag me @nicoleburnettmentalcoach and @resilientreiner on Instagram and share what landed for you. And if you’ve got a barn friend who needs this reminder too—send it their way. It helps so much when you leave a quick review on iTunes so more riders can find this kind of support.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

How I’m navigating two horses at totally different stages—and neither of them according to plan 🙃
The mental reframe that’s helping me feel proud even when I’m not in the saddle
Why real progress is rarely linear (but always worth it)
The surprising connection between ego and rest
What “riding the season you’re in” actually looks like
Why consistency doesn’t mean perfection—and how to feel strong without doing it all “right”

QUESTIONS I ANSWER:

What do you do when everything gets thrown off?
Is it okay to give my horse time off—even when you feel behind?
How do you handle guilt when you’re not riding as much as you planned?
Can you still call myself a serious competitor if you’re not showing right now?
How do you get out of a mental spiral when everything’s off track?

🚀 Ready For Your Own Mental Breakthrough? Here’s How:

🎯 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. Sign up here! https://www.nicoleburnettcoaching.com/resilientreineracademy
🎯 Get Free Weekly Mental Coaching Tips → Join my email list! Subscribe here

FROM ME TO YOU, FRIEND:

If you’re in a season where your goals feel further away than ever… you’re not broken. You’re building. Even if it doesn’t look like much from the outside, every rehab wrap, every quiet moment at the gate, every time you choose presence over panic—that’s growth.

You’re not behind. You’re becoming.

And I’m right here in it with you.

Talk soon,

Nicole 🤎