Regardless of your personal feelings towards football or the Saints, as an equestrian, you can learn a lot from observing other sports. My brief rendez-vous with the football world has taught me a few lessons that translate nicely into the equestrian world.
Five Things I've Learned About Riding from Football
1. Your team is your family. Treat them as such.
This city has made the Saints family. Win or lose, we are there: cheering them on, writing songs for them, greeting them at the airport in throngs a mile long... You and your horse are also a team- and a family. You should care as much about him as you do yourself, and vice versa. The two of you are there to support each other, even when the going gets rough. Which leads me to....
2. Wearing paper bags on your head is never a good idea. Even when you're losing. Badly.
Turn on your team once, and no one will ever let you forget it. Nicknames like the "Aints" (or, for horses, show names like "Average at Best" or barn names like "Frumpy") are never forgotten by others, even when you yourself have moved on. The public notices when you don't support your team (in this case, your horse). And as for paper bags... Consider the spook factor. Simply NOT a good idea.
3. There are two types of tailgating. Only one is acceptable.
Those football fan
s have one thing right! Letting loose before a show is a great idea! Alcohol need not be involved. All that's necessary is any sizable group of people, some good music, and some great food. It's a nice way to relax before a big show and calm those nerves; but don't forget to represent with your barn colors! But please, don't take your tailga
ting into the show ring. Back away from the rear of the vehicle! By which I mean, get off that horse's tail!4. Don't be afraid of taking risks.
Even though they don't always pay off, taking risks is a necessary part of any sport- or life in general. Whether you're contemplating an on-sides kick at the Super Bowl or choosing to jump the harder, optional fence at the Hunter Derby, choosing to take risks can make or break you. Be smart about it. Know what you're getting yourself in to and plan for more than one possible outcome. But don't be afraid to take a risk simply because things might not turn out your way. You'll be surprised at how often courage will carry you through even the toughest risks.
5. No matter the odds, if you have something to win for, anything is possible.
Peyton Manning was a football titan. They said we were going to get creamed. We said we were going to get creamed. But we stood behind our boys and gave them something to fight for, and guess what: they pulled through! Maybe you're an eventer who's come up short for the first two phases or maybe your horse is recovering from a devastating injury (like Drew Brees when New Orleans took him in!), but the odds mean nothing. If you have something motivating you, a real reason to win, you might find out that the "impossible" is nothing of the sort.
It's so amazing how you can find lessons from something that seems so unrelated (although, since they're both sports, I guess they aren't completely unrelated). Love them all! =D
ReplyDeleteActually, despite the fact that I did not watch the SuperBowl, I do like football. I understand the game and often enjoy watching. Had the NY Jets been in the game, I probably would have watched more, but aside from hoping the Saints would win, I had no real interest in the contest nor in all the surrounding hype.
ReplyDeleteHowever, your analogies are great! I am always amazed at the loyalty fans will show towards a team and, yes, I find that in the horse world for sure. Beyond that, horse people tend to support each other even when they are competing against each other.
As for the rest, right on! (But I love the tailgate one the best. *G*)