SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Equestrian Gallery
      • Stallions
      • Horses & Ponies for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Wednesday, October 26 2022 / Published in Weekly Feature

Being Qualified Is Not the Same as Being Prepared

By Liz Halliday-Sharp

I’ve been in this game a long time now and have had my fair share of ups and downs and mistakes along the way. I think that if you choose eventing as your sport, then it’s inevitable that you have some bumps in the road and moments of reflection when things don’t quite go to plan.  

One thing I have learned through both my own mistakes and by watching others is that being “qualified” for a level does not mean that you are necessarily ready.  

I felt compelled to write about this because I’ve noticed an overwhelming number of riders recently who have put themselves and their horses in a situation that they weren’t ready for, and the end result has often been huge disappointment, loss of confidence, injury to horse and rider or worse. 

At the beginning of each season, I think it’s important to set realistic goals based on the experience of both you and your horse. Whether it’s to complete your first Preliminary or to compete in your first five-star, I think it’s important to set goals to keep you striving to be better. 

The next step is to plan a schedule for preparation events to help both you and your horse be prepared for the competition that you’re aiming for. At the beginning of the year, I try to make a plan for the horses who are moving up a level, but I always say to my owners that the horses will tell us if they’re ready. This is something that I’ve stuck to now for many years and I really believe in it. By staying flexible with the plans for the less experienced horses, I think it gives you time to pay more attention to their preparation, both mentally and physically, for the next step up. Sometimes it’s easy to get so determined to compete at the next level that we forget to listen to our horses. This sport is about the partnership, so we need to keep checking in to see how they feel, too.  

Another concern I have is trainers encouraging riders to move up too quickly for a level that they are perhaps not ready for. I coach a lot of students and I’m certainly one for pushing a horse and rider when they need it, but I’m also very aware that this is a dangerous, difficult sport and we should be considering more than just the qualifications. I’m quite a competitive person, so I believe that in a sport with three phases we should strive to be proficient in all three at a specific level before moving up to the next. However, in saying that, the most important thing from a safety perspective is the cross-country phase. I believe that this part of the competition should feel very comfortable and polished before deciding to take the next step up. So often I see riders who have had a bad event and experienced problems on cross-country who then move the horse up a level at the next show “because that was the plan.” Of course this move up is unsuccessful because the problems that were in place at the lower level shine through even more when the courses get harder. I, too, have been guilty of this mistake in the past, so I can speak from experience! 

My advice would be to listen to your horses and be realistic in your review of past events. It’s important to be critical of your riding and your preparation, and to be honest about the good, the bad and the ugly. You might find that sometimes you have to disagree with a trainer who’s pushing you too hard, but ultimately you’re the one riding your horse and you both need to feel confident.  

Being honest with yourself about the reality of a situation is sometimes the hardest thing when your goals are big, but ultimately the rewards will be greater. There’s no shame in admitting that your horse is not quite up to the level, or that you as a rider do not feel prepared.  

My hope with this column is to create mindfulness for everyone in a sport that I love and believe in. Every great event horse truly enjoys eventing as much as we do, so it’s up to us to help them become their very best, even if it takes a few more competitions than planned. 

Photo:

Liz’s young horse, Cooley Nutcracker, who recently told her he was ready for Advanced and won in his first attempt.

Photo by Shannon Brinkman 

Share this page:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

What you can read next

Thoughts on Sitting the Trot
Finding Fulfillment With Dressage, Real Estate and Nursing
Mia Gonzales: Cookies for a Cause

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Stallion Gallery

Visit Stallion Gallery

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Isabel Kurek Photography
    Award-Winning Photographer Isabel J. Kurek Available for Private Shoots PUBLICATIONS & PRESS: • American Express Black Ink • Sidelines Magazine • In and Around Horse Country • Chronicle of the Horse • The Equiery People Magazine • Horse of the Delaware Valley • Virginia Gold Cup • Maryland Hunt Cup • Maryland Steeplechase • Washington International • Puissance Magazine • Equestrian Life • USEF Network • The Irish Field Magazine • Mid Atlantic Thoroughbred • Virginia Thoroughbred CATALOGUES,

    [Read more]

  • MARANATHA MEADOWS
    SEVERAL YOUNG PONIES FOR SALE SECTION B WELSH PONIES Beauty, Talent, Intelligent kid friendly ponies Located in Spring Grove, PA 561-797-9199 maranathawelshponies@gmail.com

    [Read more]

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • “Jump for the Children” Benefit Horse Show Celebrates 40 Years & Over $3 Million to Duke Children’s
  • Woodside Recognizes the Best in the West
  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Cameron Trimino: Feeling the Spark
  • Lia Screnci: In Her Happy Place
  • Meghan O’Donoghue: Thankful For the Gift of Horses

Category

Recent Posts

  • Cameron Trimino: Feeling the Spark

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Sara Shier As Ca...
  • Lia Screnci: In Her Happy Place

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Mellisa Fuller G...
  • Meghan O’Donoghue: Thankful For the Gift of Horses

    By Kimberly Gatto Portraits by Kacy Brown While...
  • Keirstin Scott: From Pony Dreams to the International Derby Ring

    By Jessica Grutkowski Photography by Sophia Don...
  • May 2025 – Table of Contents

    SUBSCRIBE NOW! CONTENTS 18 Sidelines Snapshot L...

Copyright © 1987 - 2025  Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!