Fear

Fear is a crippling feeling that can obstruct action in almost anything we do in life.  I have seen it hold back the potential of more riders than I care to count.  To become a great rider, one must master oneself and that includes tackling the fear.  I often hear from riders, "I know my limits."  Someone in pursuit of greatness is committed to pushing limits.  This does not mean jumping before you know how to walk, but it does mean saying yes to taking the biggest steps you can to get there.  I love when I find myself in an uncomfortable position because it highlights something I need to work on. 

The next most frequent phrase I hear is, "My horse..." (enter any characteristic of a horse here).  My dad has a good saying for this and it goes, "A lousy handyman blames his tools."  The quicker you are honest with yourself about what you are doing and assume responsiblity for how your ride goes, the sooner you will figure out what is necessary to overcome your obstacles.  Cut the excuses and go for it.  The ride will say everything that needs to be expressed.

More on mastering oneself to come...