6 tips to help with ring nerves. anxiety & fear ring nerves Mar 21, 2023

Everyone feels at least something before they walk into the ring. Ring nerves are a continuum from chill and relaxed to absolute panic. And sometimes, we misread our excitement for performance anxiety which can trip us up and create nerves that weren't initially there.

Basically, ring nerves and...

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Can jealousy inspire you? comparison goals Mar 14, 2023

This week as many of my friends head west to Tulsa for the agility National, I can't help but feel a bit jealous. Mind you, I didn't try to qualify, I just wish I were going - haha.

Watching someone else achieve something you also want can trigger all sorts of feelings. Are you wildly happy for...

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Do you wish you had a time machine? bouncing back mental skills Mar 07, 2023

Ever had a tough time getting over something that happened in the ring (or even at a trial)? Silly question, of course you have.

The thing is, we've all had issues letting go of mistakes, bad runs, or some other letdown. And one reason some mistakes feel stickier than others is that we really...

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Are you getting into the zone? mindset the zone Feb 28, 2023

Elite athletes talk a LOT about "the zone."

"I was just really in the zone today."

"Everything was just flowing for me."

But what in the h-e-double-toothpicks is this "zone?" And what does it feel like to be "in flow?"

Performing "in the zone" refers to a state of optimal performance where we are...

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What does a backache have to do with mindset? handler skills mindset Feb 14, 2023

My back is killing me. It's day two, and I have zero patience for it.

I'm doing a nine-week workout program, and this girl likes to stay "caught up." I carefully pushed through yesterday, but today I popped a muscle relaxer, slathered on magnesium, and put on comfy clothes instead.

This is what...

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Can you manifest a Q? Kind of. goals manifesting Aug 17, 2021

The idea of “manifesting” is hardly new - some people think it’s crap and others swear by it. No matter where you fall on this continuum, you’re right, of course. Me? I’m firmly in the manifesting camp but I don’t believe you can simply wish something into...

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Pass me the eye drops (from watching the Olympics!) mental skills Aug 05, 2021

Anyone else glued to the Olympics?
As a kid, time stopped for the two weeks of the spectacle, and I watched whatever they showed on network TV, paying particular attention to the equestrian events (obvi!). I remember where I was when we heard “the team” won in ‘84, and I know...

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I’ve got pressure on the brain! anxiety & fear mental skills Jul 15, 2021

I’ve been considering the concept of pressure a lot lately - mostly because I am finishing up a Masterclass offering on the subject and using the Q-Members as my test subjects - lucky them!

I think what’s interesting about pressure is that it’s not a skill per se, but something...

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What if you were already resilient? mental skills resilience Jun 29, 2021

As more of us are emerging post-pandemic, we are finding a new test for our resilience. I hear so many people saying, “When things go back to normal.” I gotta admit, that sentence is KILLING me! (metaphorically, obvi).

Here’s my breakdown of that sentence:

When - waiting on the...

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Ya know, you are allowed to rest 😮‍💨 dog care goals Jun 15, 2021

Over in the Q-Membership this month, we are talking about the impact our energy has on our dogs and our performance. One of the first things that came up was the “energy of chasing,” or the concept that we are always chasing after something. Titles, Qs, big events … you name...

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Westminster called - it wants you to have FUN! goals mental skills Jun 02, 2021

Proximity being what it is, I have many friends who are headed off to Westminster this month. Unlike previous years, this time, it will take place in a pastoral setting (think natural grass) away from the hustle and bustle of the city and cement. I am performing all the good-weather rituals for...

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The power of making a decision goals May 20, 2021

I talk about goals a whole bunch, precisely the difference between outcome goals and process goals. But from now on, I'm adding a layer above outcome - decisions.

Decision. To decide. From my handy-dandy Mac app:

de·cide | dəˈsīd |

verb [with object]

come to a resolution in the mind as a...

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