A Barrel Racers Encouragement Letter

by shelbyolyschlager | Horsemanship & Barrel Racing, Performance Mindset

Reflecting on the first 3 day race of the year. You could sense it in the air that everyone was so happy to get out, connect with each other and their horses.

The moments I want to talk about, as I look down to my leg with a few new barrel knocking scapes is this:

We can be our worst enemy. We think the thoughts of others and we tend to assume the worst. We think “they’re” watching our every move and they’re full of judgement. I’m here to say this, no one cares as much as you think they do. We are all trying out here and it all looks different. Nothing about each rider is completely alike so we cannot expect to be someone or somewhere we are not meant to be right now. Just know you are not alone. We are all facing some sort of difficulties. We are fully in this together.

Now back to the leg with new barrel bruises and scrapes; Embrace that. Even though it sucks to hit a barrel and we all feel we are capable of doing better. Make sure you don’t forget to still appreciate your efforts. That cut on your leg is the proof you’re trying. You’re in the arena which is a victory within it self. Celebrate that.

Cheering for others, supporting others and loving others will come back to you. It cost you nothing to smile, to say congrats, to tell someone they’re doing great, even when you know they don’t believe what you’re telling them. Be a reason someone notices the things they’ve done right, or begins to appreciates their horse a bit more. The domino effect is real, pass on your energy so they can become that reason for someone else too. Supporting, cheering, collaborating with others creates a community full of positivity and encouragement. We can all cheer for one another.

Take every opportunity to learn. Every run is a new chance to figure something out. Do it for you. Don’t think you need to know it all by now. You are still growing and you are still learning. As long as you’re breathing, you’re going to be learning. Give yourself a break in this moment and know the lessons learnt now are preparing you for the future you desire. We take small steps, the 1% everyday. Don’t think you need to know it all now. Enjoy the run with the expectations of experiencing it and you are learning from it.

Can We Please Just Talk About How Hard It Is

by shelbyolyschlager | Performance Mindset, Spirituality

Yes, I see you. I see you killing it. I am genuinely happy for you and your success with these horses. It is no small feat to become an amazing team with these animals. We literally sit on their back and control them enough to go through a barrel pattern.

Control them enough, but not right.. not enough control, too much control, not the proper headgear, too stiff, not stiff enough, too much rate, not enough rate, ok were bent, its in the wrong places now, oh wait. I don’t know.

It’s no wonder why this sport, that can look so effortless is so not effortless. We all work hard ok. Why does she and he seem to always get it right? Why is he able to start horses so perfect with no steps backwards? That horse and rider keep progressing just as those damn training videos online intended.

We try our faces off. We try our hands to calluses and wrinkles. We try with over heating and sunburns for days. We try with this horse, we try with that horse. We just try. And yet, sometimes it is just so damn hard. It’s hard to get the balance we need in order to look effortless. The right gear, the right training, the right mindset, the right physical abilities of both horse and rider. The balance is the key to our success. No wonder why it takes years of hard trying to figure our this game of training and running barrel horses.

When set backs present themselves, and trust me they do. What’s a girl supposed to do?

Grit her way through the constant feeling of unworthiness? Or maybe watch a few more training videos because at this point all second guessing our abilities thus far has come creeping in, do we even know what the hell were doing on this horse anymore? What is even what!?

That “what” is hard. That is the hard I am referring to. The hard self reflection, the hard realizations, the hard competitions, the hard comparisons, it’s all just freaking hard.

I am not going to waver though and I am not going to pretend it’s any other way. That would be a lie and a fake image I’m trying to portray to others who are feeling the hardness of this game as well. We are not alone in this. I feel it, sometimes more then I want. I wonder, what is this bullshit trying to teach me now? I already feel like I am below earth, why try to ground me down even more? I AM HERE, OK. Give this poor trying girl a break..Can it just be easier yet?

When life throws us curves and who knows, maybe even stones, or a boulder. What is the reaction you want to give off into the universe?

If I go to the place of my own mental bullying, then that will always win. My own dumb thoughts of negativity saying i’m not goo enough, I don’t think I’ll ever get it right, what are you even doing here, you try so hard and yet, look.. What do you have, Shelby?! YA, thoughts can be so dumb.

What I really need to do is remember.

For someone who has a terrible memory, this gift and curse of mine needs to be put in check from time to time. I need to remember MORE! More goodness, more joy and just more of ME. Me being awesome, me being proud of myself, me trying and not giving up no matter what, my accomplishments and all the history of this being that I am. At the end of the day, at the end of time, Me is all I have.

Remember that shit. Remember that time you dropped your life to move to the USA to work for trainers in order to learn and grow as a human and rider? Ya, I do. Remember the time you took this horse and made it something someone else wanted to buy? Yes. Remember that your life is worth living and you have the opportunity to make with it what you want?!!! Yes, I do remember that. Remember the birds, the moon, your dog, your horse, your fields, your friends, your support system.. YOU! Do you remember YOU?

If you’re going to try anything, try remembering more. More of you. The challenges you have faced already, the ones you have overcome.

You have done it! You can freaken do it again. You’ve done it before, you can and you will overcome this hardness again.

Life isn’t easy, don’t even try to change that because you simply can’t. Just like you can’t change your horse in one run or the placement of the moon. These things take time and if you’re reading this, lucky for you, you have the gift of time. Remember how rewarding the hard process is when the other side welcomes you with open arms. When you can finally say “Look! We did it.”

Hard = Learning and what are we without it? We can do the hard things. We can overcome it and we can win!

Give me your thoughts! Leave a comment. I want to hear you say “we can do hard things”

Affirmations you NEED to Hear – Manifest and Allow Your Performance to Flow

by shelbyolyschlager | Performance Mindset

I’m going to let whatever happen, happen. Im going to try my best, I am going to water my dream everyday. I’m not in control of the outcomes, as long as I continue to nurture toward this and feel it. Want it so bad that you let it go. You want that thing so bad, but you have to let it happen when its going to happen. You need to focus on how you’re going to be prepared, how you’re going to show up for it when the times comes. How you’re going to water the dream. Water who you need to become.

I am going to be okay today. I am going to allow the day to play out. I am going to do what I feel is right for myself and others and my horses. Because that is what I have control over in this moment, to water, nurture my bigger plans.

I am going to show up today, ready, prepared and focusing on me and allowing my horse to take me through he pattern we’ve been working towards all year. Allow my thoughts and body to work together in the way that I’ve been preparing. I am not fixated on the results as they don’t really matter, they don’t define me as good or bad. There’s something bigger in store later on- not even success, just contentment. Being content with what’s going to happen, and allowing that to happen, how its meant to happen and enjoying it no matter what. Just enjoying being here and the life you have because, you have so much to be grateful for. And you actually have the chance. Because so many of us have gone, either they literally have passed, or them not fulfilling their own life missions is a form of passing.

Where that is not going to happen, I feel it.

https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/a30244004/how-to-manifest-anything/

because who doesn’t love or need some good Oprah Quotes?? >> https://sourcesofinsight.com/oprah-winfrey-quotes/

Reputation in the Horse World – Build Yours High so No One Can Touch It.

by shelbyolyschlager | Horsemanship & Barrel Racing, Performance Mindset

Reputation is not created by your own thoughts about who you are. It is developed by continuously striving to be a decent human in society. Someone of their word, someone of good character, a person of honesty and so on will have naturally developed a positive reputation.

People in the horse business need to put heavy importance on this. We depend on our reputation every day and we also work on it every day, realizing it or not. Building a good reputation takes years to build and almost no time to lose.

In this business, word travels faster then thoughts. Nothing is hidden and the fact or fiction become scrambled through the translation of others. Who you have shown up as everyday will give you the reassurance that you know exactly who you are and who you are not.

People that want to bring down someone else’s reputation shows the direct corelotation to their own insecurities and beliefs. The ones that are too caught up with what others are accomplishing are the ones who feel unacomplished themselves.

The jealous, angry, envious or devious are not who we need in the horse world. Deep underlying issues bring out these characteristics and motives in a scheme to make them feel superior, even when they’re not. It is known that bringing others down, will not lift you higher.

We need people in the horse business to be lifting up, for all of us!

We are in this race together; to better the horse community one horse, one rider and one event at a time. We must keep things fair and supportive. We must focus on being good, by being a person of value, integrity and good will. We have to do our part. Focus on your part, how will you show up in the community? What is your legacy? Your repuation? Focus on yours, give all your effort and energy into being your best.

Lets’s be good to one another, after all, we all love horses for the same reasons. Let’s ignore our differences and focus on what we all have in common.

Build up others to build up yourself, our repuations are depending on it.

If you liked this, Please check out the other episodes!

Gratitude for Athletes and Performance. How to Win!

by shelbyolyschlager | Performance Mindset, Podcast

Gratitude for Athletes. Episode #13

by We Can Hustle | listen here

When you start to appreciate things for what they are and not what they’re not, your mind takes a shift.

I’ve personally experienced that with my riding and my sport performance has changed for the better. The thing about gratitude is it’s the quality of being thankful, a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. The other components of gratitude is appreciating and acknowledging that there have been external forces that have influenced our lives in a positive way.

We’re acknowledging where we are right now. And people use religion in the sense where you’re exactly where you need to be. God has placed you where you’re meant to be right now and has put these obstacles in your way for you to overcome and become who you’re truly meant to be. And I totally feel that, that we’re allowing those forces to tell us everything happens for a reason. We only have right now, nothing is for granted and nothing’s for certain.

How to Practice Gratitude

I really feel like when I’m going to a race and I’m being envious of other people, I’m ignoring what I have. I’m looking at what other people have and I’m ignoring myself and the fact that I’m on a gorgeous horse that is bred to run barrels. Without gratitude, you ignore your uniqueness, your abilities and your blessings.

Look down at your amazing horse and partner and appreciate them right now. Let’s go into the arena, let’s not care what happens as long as I have fun and I enjoy my horse right now.

Don’t think about the future of what could happen or might happen, but be right “now” and just enjoy now having gratitude and thanks for what you have right now. “I am so thankful for my horses, they’ve helped me accomplish so many things. They’ve taught me life lessons that they will never know. I can focus on that when I’m going down the alley, I can smile and tell myself I’m just going to go have fun.”

I just changed my mindset. I looked at what I have. I realize that I’m very fortunate. You know, I might not have some things that I wish I did, but right where I am right now, I can’t complain. I’m exactly where I need to be, to become who I really want to become. And I’m embracing those setbacks. I’m embracing the bad times, I’ve gone through to get me where I am and I know it’s still not over. There’s so much more to overcome and realize in life. But for now I’m choosing “now” I’m choosing that things might be gone. Time will slip faster than I think anyone realizes. You miss out on it, but realizing what you have at this exact moment might be gone forever. And wow, like what an eye opening thought to have.

One things that helped me: Realizing I never celebrated small wins. Not acknowledging those little victories that you have with yourself can do a lot of damage. I never realized or thought I was getting anywhere. I would put in the work, but I felt defeated because I never gave myself the time to sit down and actually look at the wins I have been making. If you don’t take the time to evaluate yourself and look at your actual progress, you don’t acknowledge them.

We need to know how far we’ve come in order to keep growing and to keep positive. We need to know where we started from and how incredibly awesome is to be where we are right now, because that is an accomplishment. If you don’t see it, it means we need to sit down and think, and look at the small wins. What are your small wins of the day, the month, year, life, and remember those.

Here are some questions that you can ask yourself once a week.

The best practice is to journal every night, ask yourself even a few of these questions.

What did you do well today?

For me conducting this podcast, it’s really hard to stay on a schedule and I’ve been struggling, but I’m still happy that I’m doing it. And that’s something that went well for me. I’m proud of myself for it because I had a chisel out that time in my day to sit down and record, edit and make ready for you. And I’m really grateful that I’m able to provide hopefully some value for you and maybe give you a different perspective on things to help you along your own journey. So that’s one thing I did well today.

What am I grateful for today?

I am grateful for the fact that it’s not winter. I can still go out and ride my horse. The grass is still green. I have a horse to ride. I have a car I can drive. I am grateful for my mom, my travel partner, going to barrel races. I’m grateful for barrel races. The world siituation this 2020 has really changed so many things for our lives this year. I literally went to a show last weekend and I was so grateful to be there. I was thinking “I don’t even hardly care how I do, I’m just so happy we have a barrel race!” because I thought we were done for the year.

I’m so freaking grateful to have barrel races, which I’m sure a lot of you guys can relate to that one.

What is a small win I can celebrate for me?

My small win is that I went to the gym this morning. It’s a small thing, but I still did it. It’s been getting easier because I’ve been adapting to a schedule to and it does make a lot of difference when it becomes more of a habit. Whatever it is to you, when you actually schedule it in and you follow through, that is a win!

“I did something I told myself I was going to do and I followed through with myself. I was accountable to me.”

We are accountable to other people. But what do you do for yourself? When you tell yourself you want to do something? Do you follow through or do you literally blow yourself off. You want to do it for yourself to improve yourself and you literally stood yourself up.

So my small win is that I followed through with what I said I wanted to do with the good intention of taking care of my body and improving myself. I followed through and that is definitely a small one that I can celebrate today and this week.

What is one compliment you would tell yourself?

It’s not really a question, but think of a compliment. You can give yourself.

This is not an easy thing to answer. One thing that I would say that I’m proud of myself for is when I was struggling with riding, I wasn’t afraid to ask for help and to put myself in the position of “hi, I don’t know everything. Can you please help” and i was actually open minded to hear different inputs and different viewpoints and ideas that might really help me. So I’m proud of myself for going out and reaching out to get some help and guidance.

What is one thing that you can look back on and love about your journey so far?

For me, the whole internship thing. I love that story. It’s a lengthy, long one. A lot of things went down. It was amazing and also garbage at the same time. There are so many highs and there’s so many lows. I walked away with such a different perspective on so many things, not even necessarily horse related.

That whole internship experience that I went through might be my favorite. Like I’m happy I did it looking back. I put myself in those bad situations and I came through it way better. On the other side, a different person, a stronger person, a more well rounded, educated person and I wouldn’t change that. And that’s one thing that I totally love about my journey so far. It was incredible.

So, what is your own favourite?

It’s not over, you still got your journey, but at this moment in time, what is a one highlight experience that you’ve gone through that you love?

I just love these exercises as well. I think this just helps put things into perspective and I really hope it does for you. I really hope you’re able to get something from the bit of research that I did and also sharing my own experience. I hope you can take something away that is beneficial, that will help you along your own journey as well.

Check out some other Episodes!

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Why I Moved to The USA for a Summer

by shelbyolyschlager | Barrel Race Internships, Performance Mindset

Growing up brings so many hard questions society asks us. Ultimately, what are we going to do with our life? Who honestly knows.. cause well, I’d actually really like to figure it out! My mom told me to get done school so I could “start my life” sorry mom to call you out on this, but I have been starting my life. My life has begun! 24 years ago to be exact and guess what happened? I did the normal college thing and I finished..Barely. I was not excited about my program and it showed. The people and experiences were great. The education, on the other hand, I didn’t grasp because the interest and passion were just not there. So I got all my credits, again barely and left school to get ma life all started up like I was told to do.

I was probably only told that once but it just resonated with me because I totally disagreed with that statement said to me many months ago. Anyways, I go home pretty well student broke as could be and start working at a family run business, ah I can finally put my education to work! Well, I believe it was 6 months later, I’m here learning how the operation goes and my role in the grand scheme of things. I think constantly, “is this what I’m going to do for the rest of my life? Is this what I would have chosen for a career if it wasn’t exposed to me throughout my whole life? Would I decide on this type of work any other way?” The answer was no. I have a “now or never” mentality to take action and though those 6 months, I decided now!

I’m sure some of you have been lucky to get an opportunity like mine and it be a field you truly are passionate about. Me, however, couldn’t imagine this being the end of my career journey. I felt no personal growth in those 6 months. I want to feel challenged and feel I am exposing myself to the unfamiliar in exchange to grow as a person of this planet.

I knew what my deepest passion was and I researched it, thinking of ideas; next steps for me to dip my toes into it. Of course, the focus was on horses, specifically becoming a better horsewoman and barrel racer. So naturally I abruptly, in a matter of 2 weeks got on an airplane to Oklahoma with no date of return. Just a gentle test of the waters, you know, nice and casual. Since I chose now, now I can say I have no regrets. However, during my time in the USA I thought I had some real ones. I moved around quite a bit and for some Canadian barrel racer dragging her poor 4-year-old futurity horse wherever she goes; we got through it pretty well. Throughout the early stages and several wake up calls. I managed to travel to 4 states and I was feeling very unsure of my choices.

Looking back I can’t say I regret anything, even if I felt it temporarily. I have met some freaking incredible people, (if you like to hear about someone’s story on meeting people to encourage you to do it even though it freaks you out a little, I agree! But I will talk about that later on here) every place has brought a little more light to my life journey and for that, the regrets are done to a low zero!

So, what do I want to do as this trip dwindles down to the last few weeks? I definitely have been reflecting a lot on this crazy thing I did and I’ve been stopping for a few moments to take it all in. I know my time is almost done and I noticed today as I stopped and looked at it all. Looking at where I was, what I was doing. The beautiful black hills of South Dakota all around me and know soon enough this whole experience is about to be in the past.

It freaks me out knowing inevitably, all things come to an end. Everything does it and I bet you can’t think of one thing that won’t eventually come to an end in your life. The time flies and it’s such a short amount we are allowed to live through it all. We don’t even know how much time we get to waste here; it’s scary! Embrace all of life’s mess and questionable regrets as we go through this journey. Because it has started, officially!

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