Dr. Darby Bonomi, a sport and performance psychologist featured on the Horse Person Podcast, challenges the common use of the phrases “perfect” and “bad ride” in describing equestrian rounds. She argues that these terms are meaningless and harmful, as the pursuit of perfection often steals creativity, learning opportunities, and joy from riders, especially juniors and amateurs who tend to be perfectionists. Instead of fixating on flawless performance, Bonomi encourages breaking down rides into smaller wins and adopting a mindset of continual learning, exemplified by riders like McLain Ward who see themselves as students of the sport.

Bonomi offers practical strategies to combat perfectionism, including eliminating the word “perfect” from one’s vocabulary and fostering positive, confidence-building conversations with trainers. Her approach aims to shift riders away from the damaging pressure to be perfect every day and toward a healthier, more enjoyable experience with horses. Listeners can hear more about these insights and techniques in her full discussion on the Horse Person Podcast.