I recall a particular event where a large competition was taking place between three individuals, an event that was viewed by a large audience. One session with one of the trainers, came to a turning point. The horse was not ready to be asked to go to the next level of learning. The trainer could clearly feel and see the horse was not ready. He could have chosen to push the horse and perhaps succeeded, but in a moment, he made a conscious decision not to continue. At the time I was disappointed as was the audience, it was even possible he lost respect in that moment. Today when I think of this situation, I applaud him and realize how courageous he was to not care what the audience was thinking or how he was being judged. He chose to consider the horse and what was best for that horse’s development. He let go of his ego and his choice became clear. What a brilliant lesson.
