Life is all about taking chances. Sometimes they are calculated risks, and sometimes rather less calculated. I think that’s part of being brave – it’s not always about risk-taking, but calculated risk-taking.
On first glance I am sure many people will disagree with the statement I am about to make: eventing is a lot about risk taking. The thing is, they HAVE to be calculated risks. There is no such thing as ‘flying by the seat of your pants’ or ‘winging it’ in eventing at the highest levels. The risks are too high, so all our risks need to be carefully considered, and only taken because we know that we do have the talent/physical capacity/skillset/fitness/strength/mental capacity to achieve the outcome. Even then – things will go wrong.
So, how do calculated risks morph in to bravery or courage? I’ve mentioned before about how I think courage in life works. Refresh your memory here – and don’t worry, you won’t lose this page because the link will open in a new window/tab. (Can you tell I’m excited about having learnt a new web trick?!)
On first glance I am sure many people will disagree with the statement I am about to make: eventing is a lot about risk taking. The thing is, they HAVE to be calculated risks. There is no such thing as ‘flying by the seat of your pants’ or ‘winging it’ in eventing at the highest levels. The risks are too high, so all our risks need to be carefully considered, and only taken because we know that we do have the talent/physical capacity/skillset/fitness/strength/mental capacity to achieve the outcome. Even then – things will go wrong.
So, how do calculated risks morph in to bravery or courage? I’ve mentioned before about how I think courage in life works. Refresh your memory here – and don’t worry, you won’t lose this page because the link will open in a new window/tab. (Can you tell I’m excited about having learnt a new web trick?!)
I think there is a certain amount of self-belief required for risk-taking, and it in itself promotes a certain amount of self-belief. Add to that that there is usually a fair chunk of either mastery (calculated risk-taking), belonging (risk-taking with or because or peers) or independence (or at least a sense of it) required. Add generosity in to the mix and you have the four pillars of courage.
I think life as a horse trainer is full of risk-raking. But not in the obvious way. Hell, every time we put a foot in the stirrup we are taking a huge risk, especially when we are foundation training, but every moment of training is a calculated risk not just because we could be bucked off, fallen on or other such unpleasant way to dismount. It is a risk because each horse will produce a slightly different result. And with that result we then have to calculate our next move. It’s because every horse is different and will pick up different cues and signals that we will (often inadvertently) train. It’s because every time we step in the stirrup we have Pavlov on our shoulders.
We consider our job as horse trainers to be fairly high risk. It’s tough on our bodies. Tough on our minds. Long hours. Hard work. It’s made riskier by the fact that we deal with foundation trainers (unbroken horses), and re-trainers (problem horses). It’s made riskier again by the fact that I am a high level event rider. So adding all those risks together (calculated risks they may be), makes us always conscious of the what if’s.
What if one of us gets severely hurt? What if we both get injured? What if we can’t keep doing this job forever? What if, what if, what if? We could live our lives no taking chances because we might regret that decision, or we could live our lives. We choose the later, because I believe we only regret the chances we didn’t take.
Which brings me to our recent exhibit of risk-taking behavior! We are very lucky that we love what we do, and we are comfortable doing it. For now. But we thought along with writing, bringing you all Sustainable Equitation and teaching we should think about other projects that allow us to spend some time off the arena. Enter Nucerity. It seems counterintuitive for me to be thinking about skincare. It’s really not me. But I was sponsored by Guinot Institut Paris for several years and spending as much time in the sun as I do I am aware of not only becoming a giant lump of skin cancer, but looking 70 in ten years time (when I’ll be the grand age of 37 years old!).
Here is a thought – what are the top two new year’s resolutions world-wide?
Being in better shape
Making more money
So – we went on the search for something that has the ability to do both for people! It isn’t for everyone, but the breakthrough product, was developed as a drug delivery platform and has had great success both anecdotally and in extensive clinical trials. It really fits with our love for all things evidence-based!
It basically works by forming a breathable mask on your face to keep the moisture in over night and help your moisturizer work more effectively. It’s also proven to be a fabulous treatment for eczema, acne, pigmentation, bruises, cuts and abrasions, aging skin and more. The great thing is that the company let’s you spread the word to your mates and help them too, in turn helping yourself.
Here I go again sounding like I’m trying to sell something to you! Trust me, I’m not (even though I do think it’s really cool!). It just highlighted to me the nature of risk-taking and the difference between risk-taking and calculated risk-taking. I think this one is a calculated risk and hopefully it will pay off. It’s already improved a few of my scars from burning myself while welding and really improved the skin of some of our older clients so I guess that’s a start! If you’re keen to know more do feel free to get in touch. In the mean time – what risk-taking do you do on a daily basis? We’d love to hear about it!
I think life as a horse trainer is full of risk-raking. But not in the obvious way. Hell, every time we put a foot in the stirrup we are taking a huge risk, especially when we are foundation training, but every moment of training is a calculated risk not just because we could be bucked off, fallen on or other such unpleasant way to dismount. It is a risk because each horse will produce a slightly different result. And with that result we then have to calculate our next move. It’s because every horse is different and will pick up different cues and signals that we will (often inadvertently) train. It’s because every time we step in the stirrup we have Pavlov on our shoulders.
We consider our job as horse trainers to be fairly high risk. It’s tough on our bodies. Tough on our minds. Long hours. Hard work. It’s made riskier by the fact that we deal with foundation trainers (unbroken horses), and re-trainers (problem horses). It’s made riskier again by the fact that I am a high level event rider. So adding all those risks together (calculated risks they may be), makes us always conscious of the what if’s.
What if one of us gets severely hurt? What if we both get injured? What if we can’t keep doing this job forever? What if, what if, what if? We could live our lives no taking chances because we might regret that decision, or we could live our lives. We choose the later, because I believe we only regret the chances we didn’t take.
Which brings me to our recent exhibit of risk-taking behavior! We are very lucky that we love what we do, and we are comfortable doing it. For now. But we thought along with writing, bringing you all Sustainable Equitation and teaching we should think about other projects that allow us to spend some time off the arena. Enter Nucerity. It seems counterintuitive for me to be thinking about skincare. It’s really not me. But I was sponsored by Guinot Institut Paris for several years and spending as much time in the sun as I do I am aware of not only becoming a giant lump of skin cancer, but looking 70 in ten years time (when I’ll be the grand age of 37 years old!).
Here is a thought – what are the top two new year’s resolutions world-wide?
Being in better shape
Making more money
So – we went on the search for something that has the ability to do both for people! It isn’t for everyone, but the breakthrough product, was developed as a drug delivery platform and has had great success both anecdotally and in extensive clinical trials. It really fits with our love for all things evidence-based!
It basically works by forming a breathable mask on your face to keep the moisture in over night and help your moisturizer work more effectively. It’s also proven to be a fabulous treatment for eczema, acne, pigmentation, bruises, cuts and abrasions, aging skin and more. The great thing is that the company let’s you spread the word to your mates and help them too, in turn helping yourself.
Here I go again sounding like I’m trying to sell something to you! Trust me, I’m not (even though I do think it’s really cool!). It just highlighted to me the nature of risk-taking and the difference between risk-taking and calculated risk-taking. I think this one is a calculated risk and hopefully it will pay off. It’s already improved a few of my scars from burning myself while welding and really improved the skin of some of our older clients so I guess that’s a start! If you’re keen to know more do feel free to get in touch. In the mean time – what risk-taking do you do on a daily basis? We’d love to hear about it!