Expect the Wrench: Goal Setting and Planning in Dressage’s Unexpected Hurdles

By Sally O’Dwyer

Picture this: You’ve meticulously planned your dressage goals for the year, carefully plotting out each milestone on your calendar. You’re cantering down centerline, ready to nail that flying change you’ve been practicing for months, when suddenly your horse decides today’s the perfect day to channel his inner rodeo star. Or, you go to bring in your horse from the field and he has a nasty gash in his leg, derailing your competition plans. Or, just as bad, the inner critic in your head is telling you that you are never going to be good enough to reach your ambitious goals. Welcome to dressage, where the path to achieving your objectives is about as straight as a drunk spider’s web!

Even with the most carefully planned goals and meticulously penned “by when” calendar dates, riders experience “wrenches” – unexpected obstacles that can bring progress to a screeching halt. The term “wrench” comes from the phrase “throw a wrench in the works,” evoking the image of a tool tossed into machinery, causing it to break or stop entirely. 

Wrenches manifest as physical issues with our equine partners – lameness, injuries, or mysterious ailments that only horses seem capable of acquiring. Riders aren’t immune either; a loss of confidence following an unplanned dismount, physical injuries, or loss of a trusted trainer can all throw a wrench in our dressage aspirations. Financial constraints or sudden time limitations due to personal circumstances can force us to reassess our goals. Limited access to suitable training facilities during bad weather can disrupt our carefully planned routines and training schedules.

Speaking of wrenches, I became best friends with gravity – off a ladder, not a horse! One broken leg later, and suddenly my dressage goals were replaced with mastering the art of crutches. Talk about an unexpected dismount! Being sidelined for such an extended period was frustrating and disheartening. All my carefully laid plans and goals for the season were suddenly on hold.

The key to navigating these challenges lies not just in how we respond to them, but in how we plan for them from the outset when setting our dressage goals.

Strategies for wrench-wrangling in goal setting:

1. Embrace the “Margin of Safety”: When setting timelines for your dressage goals, build in extra time. Think you’ll master that half-pass in six months? Set your goal for nine. It’s not pessimism; it’s smart planning that accounts for potential setbacks.
2. Adopt the “Long Journey Perspective”: When setting your dressage goals, remember that dressage is a marathon, not a sprint. Treat each wrench as a plot twist in your epic equestrian novel. Your goals should reflect this long-term view, focusing on sustainable progress rather than quick wins.
3. Feel the feels, but NO wallowing: When a wrench disrupts your plans, give yourself a moment to feel frustrated or disappointed, but then shift your focus to reassessing your goals as objectively as possible.
4. Evaluate options: Sometimes, the best course of action might be to take a step back, allowing yourself time to regroup and return with a fresh mindset and adjusted goals. At the same time, don’t wring your hands and do nothing if a decision needs to be made about your training plan. Doing nothing, while it might not feel like it, is a decision.
5. Be flexible: This might mean adjusting your timeline, breaking down your goals into even smaller steps, or finding alternative paths forward. Your goals should be adaptable to changing circumstances.
6. Seek advice: Consult mentors, trainers, or experienced peers when setting and adjusting your goals. Remember, you’re not alone in facing these challenges, and others have valuable insights to share.
7. Focus on what you can control: When setting goals, emphasize aspects of your dressage journey that are within your control. Try to find the lessons in each experience. Every challenge is an opportunity to gain knowledge and improve your goal-setting process.
8. Regularly reassess and adjust your goals: As you progress in your dressage journey, your goals will evolve. Be open to changing your objectives based on new insights, experiences, or circumstances.
9. Find the Silver Lining: Sometimes, a wrench is just the universe’s way of saying, “Hey, you might want to rethink that goal!” Use these moments to reassess and potentially improve your goals.

The Unexpected Benefits of Wrenches in Goal Setting

During my forced vacation from the saddle, I discovered the joys of armchair dressage by:

• Binge-watching more training videos than Netflix shows, giving me new ideas for future goals.
• Becoming a pro at visualizing perfect rides (hey, in my head, I never miss a transition!), a valuable skill for mental preparation and goal achievement.
• Building a dressage library that would make any bookworm jealous—check out www.Thriftbooks.com. You can find dressage books for a couple of bucks, expanding your knowledge base for setting informed goals.
• Working with physical therapists helped me learn more about the importance of muscle strength and fitness in riding, leading to new fitness-related goals.

And when I finally got back in the saddle? Sure, I had some newfound wobbles, but I also had a deeper understanding of theory, a fresh perspective on the journey, and more realistic, well-rounded goals.

Not all wrenches are entirely negative for our goal-setting process. Sometimes, setbacks are blessings in disguise, preventing us from making mistakes or heading down the wrong path with our goals. They can provide opportunities for growth, leading to unexpected positive outcomes or realizations that we might have otherwise missed. We can turn challenges into opportunities for growth, deepening our connection with our horses and our understanding of this beautiful discipline, all while refining our goal-setting skills.

So the next time a wrench threatens to derail your dressage dreams and carefully set goals, take a deep breath, adjust your metaphorical helmet, and ride on. After all, the art of dressage isn’t just about perfecting your half-pass; it’s about mastering the dance with whatever partner life throws your way – be it your horse, a challenge, or yes, even a wrench. And with each unexpected turn, you’ll become better at setting realistic, flexible, and achievable goals.

May your transitions be smooth, your circles be round, your goals be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound), and your wrenches be… well, manageable!