Goal getting ken style

When I completed my NLP Practitioner training, I had a goal firmly set in my future - a clear round cross country at a local event in April.
I found it amazing how I made sure I was ready - lessons and group sessions, even out at night jumping in the freezing cold (not done that for years!).
However, the best laid plans, etc. I went down with shingles and this meant I couldn't ride for a while. I made up for it after and caught up with the work.
On the day of the competition it was clear that I had left out an important factor in the goal - my horse! He was raring to go but had the idea that he was in charge! We started well but halfway round the brakes went and off I came. Medics told me to retire, but I just jumped one fence to make sure we were OK and we were.
So there I was back at the lorry thinking about giving up jumping, was I getting too old?

This was where the NLP kicked in. I spent the drive back looking at what was the most important to me in jumping and surprisingly CONTROL came up as number one. So I got home and put a Kimblewick in and wow! control was there and Riley was happy.

We had a group lesson on Good Friday and for the first time I could gallop and jump Riley, steer, slow up and speed on easily! We even did some pairs jumping and a perfect dressing fence!

Easter Sunday I took Riley to the same XC course as the competition for a practice day. No surprise that he went round perfectly with one of the best rounds he had ever done!

Back to the goal - that question 'Is it just for you?' is important as with a horse involved it isn't. So attention to technical issues too is vital - in m,y case I was ignoring lack of control. Once I fixed that, goal achieved!

Amazing stuff this NLP!