In a recent episode of The Plaidcast, performance coach Brad Stulberg argues that true excellence in riding is an internal sensation rather than an external achievement. He emphasizes the importance of deep engagement and presence with one's horse over obsessing about scores and ribbons. This perspective challenges common assumptions in the competitive horse show world.
The discussion, featured in The Plaid Horse Magazine, highlights how riders often focus on outcomes like clear rounds and qualifying points at major horse shows. Stulberg, speaking with host Tonya Johnston, redefines excellence as a resonant feeling experienced during peak performances. "If you are watching just a phenomenal horse and rider just do their thing," he explains, "you don’t think that it’s excellent… you feel it deep in your heart and in your bones."
Stulberg draws parallels between equestrian sports and other pursuits, such as watching basketball player Steph Curry or viewing a Rothko painting, where technical skill combines with harmony to create impact. In disciplines like hunters and equitation, judges prioritize feel and polish, while even show jumping's objective metrics cannot capture the connection that makes a round memorable. He describes sport transcending into art, with no separation between the two, evident in moments when distances appear effortlessly or a horse's back feels elastic during warm-up.
Central to his view is the need for intimacy in riding—with the horse, training, and one's own state. Excellence arises from "involved engagement or caring deeply in something worthwhile that aligns with your values and goals." Chasing specific results, however, introduces tension that hinders such presence. Stulberg notes that the pursuit shapes the rider, much like climbing a mountain; the horse teaches patience, emotional regulation, and recovery from setbacks.
"There’s no such thing as an overnight breakthrough," he says. "Patience is one of the greatest competitive advantages there is." Rather than fixating on being the best, riders should aim to "be the best at getting better," turning competitions into opportunities for growth and joy. This approach restores meaning to the sport, focusing on preparation and alignment over mere verdicts.
The insights come from episode 471 of The Plaidcast, available on major podcast platforms.