United States Eventing Association

Road to the Pan Am Games with Shannon Lilley (Part 5)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Day 15 – And it continues…

As most of the people close to me know, I am a football fan and this evening I was listening to NFL radio where John Madden was doing his spot on the show “the Blitz”. The show was mainly a tribute to the life of now deceased owner of the Oakland Raiders, Al Davis. All opinions aside, the man did a lot for football and inspired a lot of people in the game. The pertinent point I took from all of this was that Rich Gannon said, “I was always amazed with his inability to enjoy success.” John Madden went on to explain that he believed, “it was Al’s commitment to excellence. There is always an aspect of the game or a play or a route or a performance that could have been better.” No matter how much you win, as a player or an athlete, you have to strive to be perfect, which, I think, is virtually unattainable.

I find myself realizing this mentality as I have been in training sessions and on this journey. To be a true top notch athlete, you can never settle for good enough. It always can be and has to be better. Dayna has always said this to me; you have to ride every horse, practice on every horse, like that one is going to the Olympics. Make it mean something. I have the attitude and work ethic to be better, run faster, work harder but I think I have to hold myself more accountable on a day to day basis to do so as well. Mango and I have had some really good lessons with Cpt. Mark Phillips last week and this week at training camp, but I do not feel it is good enough yet.

Part of this mentality is developed and cultivated by being a good student and the willingness to take instruction. To strive for excellence, you have to understand that you are not good enough now and may not be EVER! Obviously once the humbling part of that experience is accepted, it is easier to then take instruction. It is so interesting to see all of the good riders here interact in their lessons and interpret what is being said, and ultimately implement it. No one person is the same.

Off the horse, things have been very fun and educational. I love being able to watch so many good riders at one time. I am very lucky to have so many people back home who have been helping out with my normal duties so I can enjoy this time and learn a tremendous amount. One of the notable people at home is Lindsey Weaver. She so competent, and quietly gets things taken care of on a day to day basis. I know that my other horse, Michael, is carefully watched over and is in the best of care. Thank you Lindsey!

As far as training camp is concerned, things have been rolling right along as we get dangerously close to wheels up time for Mexico! All the team members, grooms, alternates, chef, and coach really seem to get along well and we have been having a lot fun with quite a bit of laughter. Tomorrow marks the last gallop and final jog ups are on Friday. As long as everything looks ok, then we are going to Guadalajara, Mexico (which brings a few concerns within itself, but I digress.)

The next few days will be filled with two team dinners, riding, organizing and PACKING!

Stay tuned for more from Me and Mango…