The Imperfect Ride: Your Guide to Being Better by Not Trying to Be the Best

Busting the perfectionism myth so you can improve your performance in the saddle. nAndrea Waldo--rider, trainer, instructor, and former psychotherapist--is back with her long-awaited follow-up to the bestselling Brain Training for Riders. This time, she tackles the problem of perfectionism, providing a roadmap for riders to identify how the idea of perfect interferes with their natural progression and distracts from the day-to-day enjoyment of the equestrian experience. n n Drawing from research and her own riding life, Waldo helps readers recognize the pros and cons of perfectionism, guiding them toward a healthier perspective. With practical exercises, she encourages self-improvement in a way that benefits both rider and horse by emphasizing that growth necessitates mistakes and the messy middle--the phase between mastering a skill and finding the next step. In this book, you'll learn how to: n n - Create sustainable goals that inspire real progress n - Embrace mistakes as an essential part of achieving new skills n - Conquer the doubts, fears, and insecurities that have held you back n - Cultivate thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors that help you move forward and feel good n n With humor, insight, and her clear love for horses and equestrian sport, Waldo provides tools for riders to set high standards without the pressure of perfection, fostering a more satisfying, successful, and less stressful relationship with themselves and their horses.n