Change. It’s inevitable. It is evolution, it is progress, it is ever upward to the light.
Stay where you are and you get left behind by progress.
I am amazed by how many people try to fight change. It is a fight for mediocrity – to stay where you are – is to deny change and to get left behind.
In equestrian sport, is there a place for mediocrity? No, because your horse deserves better. It is the tacit agreement we have with our horses. That we will take care of them, we will look after their best interests. I’ve never known it to be the best interest of a horse to be mediocre.
Accepting change is about pushing your own envelope. It is accepting you will try to do more with your riding than going up-down, up-down. That you will rise to your next challenge, a canter, a dressage test, an equitation class, the next level jumping class.
I was asked by the Malaysian Equine Council to speak at the National Equine Forum on 27th June about the evolution of polo. My talk is about pushing the envelope, about making change. It is about riders who wish to better themselves, about taking things to the next level. You have to be brave to move forward but the rewards are a sense of accomplishment, a fulfillment of horse and rider.
My advice to those who fight change is to try to step out of your little bowl and swim in bigger ponds. Challenge yourself. Go with progress. There is so much more to see and do in this world.
No one can afford to stand still. The sport is not directed by those who only go up-down, up-down. Learn to canter. Push the envelope.
Embrace change.
