10/04/2026
Even the best riders in the world have bad rounds. Missing a distance, rushing a line, or forgetting your course are mistakes that are part of riding. According to top hunter rider and trainer Geoff Teall, mistakes are inevitable in the show ring. What matters most is learning from them and using them to improve.
Every rider, no matter their level, will face setbacks in the ring. Learning to handle those moments with honesty, perspective, and responsibility is a crucial part of becoming a better horseman.
No amount of preparation can eliminate mistakes in riding. Even when riders plan carefully and practice diligently, things can still go wrong in the show ring. A rider chip at a fence or misjudge a distance. These situations are frustrating, but they are also completely normal. Every rider, from beginners to top competitors, experiences bad rounds from time to time. Accepting that reality is the first step toward dealing with mistakes constructively.
When a round goes poorly, riders often feel the urge to find someone or something to blame. It might be the course design, the footing, the judge, the weather, or even the horse. But Teall makes it clear that blaming outside factors prevents riders from learning from their mistakes. Instead of identifying what went wrong and improving for the future, the rider avoids responsibility.
Teall emphasizes that riders should take ownership of their performance. If something goes wrong, the first question should be: what could I have done differently?
Instructors often face a delicate balance when working with students who make mistakes. Some riders become overly critical of themselves after a bad ride. Others immediately begin making excuses. Teall argues that neither response is productive.
Being too hard on yourself can destroy confidence, but constantly blaming others is equally harmful. Riders who blame the horse, the instructor, or the conditions are avoiding the responsibility that comes with improving.
Good sportsmanship requires honesty. If a mistake happened because of something the rider did, the rider must acknowledge it. That honesty creates the opportunity to learn and improve.
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