What being a thespian and equestrian has taught me about life.

People have always been quick to judge as to finding reasons why majoring in theatre and riding horses isn’t ideal or a way to go about life. They’d rather show their disapproval and give their opinion on why I should have chosen another path as far as a major or even a hobby. Yet, as they state their degrading of my choosing, not once did anyone ever ask me why I chose these things or what I have learned from these two things that have been mainstage to my life. It is more than just getting on stage and more than just getting on a horse just to spend money. I have learned and gained valuable life lessons that have helped me to evolve into the person I am today.

~Communication skills in both verbal and non-verbal: On stage you have to be able to project your voice to be heard by the audience and fellow actors on stage and off stage, as well as the “techies” so they can hear the cues to work their magic behind the scenes. You also have non-verbal cues such as an arm wave or sitting down in a chair to help cue someone to their next line or to make their entrance on stage. Riding is similar in the aspect that the show ring is your stage. You have to have an open ear to listen for your trainer as you are passing by, to listen for the announcement of the next gait, to be able to hear another horse coming up behind you so you must remain alert. Non-verbal cues to your horse after you ask them to perform the next gait or to halt, or even line up after the class.

~Memorization: You know you have to memorize your lines and your cues, but you also have to memorize the lines and cues of those in the production with you. When riding, you have to memorize cues and patterns if you show equitation or reining. Cues can even vary between horse to horse based upon how they were trained or if they have a little quirk about them.

~Things do not always go as planned: An actor may forget their lines or the sound may go out for any reason. A horse may decide he doesn’t want to show that day or perform what you ask of them. You have to learn to adapt to what is going on in that instance and continue on in a forward motion. You only have one chance to make the scene flawless and you only have one chance to enter the showring for that class. You have to be able to make the most of it, you are not given do-overs.

There is no such thing as overnight success: You cannot simply walk out on stage and perform a Shakespearean play without rehearsal. You attend weeks upon weeks of rehearsals so that you can become the character in the play. You simply cannot just hop on a horse for the first time in your life and win the tri-color. You begin by taking riding lessons and work your way up to showing and competing where you are not always even winning a ribbon. But do you give up when you know you have to work for what you want? No.

~Focus: When you are acting delivering your character to your audience to the best of your capability is your main goal. When you are showing, entering the showring on your horse to deliver the best show you two are able to give as a team is your goal. The saying “you have one job” is proven here and that is to be the best you can be in that given instance. You need to worry about what is in front of you. Something could crash offstage but it shouldn’t cause you to break character. Another horse in the class may be acting up, but that is not a reason for you to give less than your best.

~Confidence: It takes a L OT of guts and ambition to turn yourself into a character to entertain others. It also takes a lot of confidence to be able to throw your leg around a horse and enter the showring to be judged. Both scenarios bring out the critics, good and bad. It is up to you to push their thoughts and feelings aside and to just focus on the positive. Sure, you may have forgotten a line that everyone knows by heart or your horse may have not been the most well-behaved horse in the class, but it is how you present yourself in that given moment as well as when it is over that is what will speak volumes about yourself. We are human and we all make mistakes, but when you are making a mistake at these calibers, it is easy to be remembered for the mishaps that can result in the continuous ridicule. This is where you learn and remember that the world is full of haters, they would rather see and talk about someone having a mishap then to see them succeed. Developing confidence and a “think skin” helps to combat the haters and unnecessary drama so that you are able to keep a smile upon your face while using the mishaps as a learning experience while growing into more positive experiences.

~The power of “no”: I’ve been told that I’m a really picky person. I value having that characteristic. When you are auditioning for plays, you might have nailed the audition, but in the director’s eyes you are not what they are looking for. And that’s ok. There will be other auditions. On the flip, you may audition for a play and realize at the audition that the vibe is not what works in your best interest, and it is ok to tell them no when you are offered the role. Same with showing horses. You may have the ride of your life on your horse only for the judge to tell you that you are not the winner of the class. Or you may have the ride of your life on a “catch ride” only to not have fun and it is ok to tell the owner/trianer no on future rides. You are allowed to be picky, just as others are allowed to be picky. In fact, you SHOULD be picky so that you can become the best individual version of yourself.

~You learn to just be yourself: Once you are offstage or have dismounted your horse, you are able to just reflect about your performance. You can relax and not worry about what others think about what just happened. You learn that they are not the ones that were in your shoes during that given moment so it doesn’t matter what they think of you. Those that truly care about you will relax and enjoy the time with you. If they do not, then that is their problem.

These are just a few of the skills that I have acquired by “acting on stage” or “riding a horse and spending money”. I have utilized them in one form or another in every job and position I have held. Employers are unable to train you how to focus or how to not let the little things get to you. You have to learn how to do these things on your own. I have also been able to endure months and months of training for the multiple races I have ran because I have the focus and determination to know that is what I need to do to achieve my goals. These are MY goals and I am the only one that can achieve them. People in this world can be awful and will try to tell you that you can’t or shouldn’t do something. If you let them get to you, it can tear you down both physically and mentally if you are not prepared with how to handle them.

Could I be “more successful” if at the young age I continued to play softball as my “hobby” instead of riding horses? I’m going to say no. Playing softball wasn’t something that really excited me as much as riding horses. You have to have fun and enjoy your life while doing what you want to do in it without worrying about what others think. Success means taking what you want to do in your life and making the most of it and not looking back to those telling you otherwise.