Deflated and Demotivated

[Trinket12]

I am feeling deflated and demotivated. I just failed my riding submission for the Registered Therapeutic Certificate, this was my second time. I really felt like my riding had improved massively, but I guess not (and I had been working really hard on the improvements) and now I'm wondering if I should even be an instructor.
Hindsight, I applied to the program too early and I know that. My actual teaching I feel is good (and I passed that portion) and I have a lot of experience in mentoring and coaching from my 'day job'.

I just don't know how to feel motivated to keep going and try again.

 

[Ossy2]

If it was easy everyone would be doing it, everything that is worth having takes a lot of getting, that’s what my boss tells me when I’m feeling crappy about something that’s gone how’d I want it too. This is the path you want to go down, you want to achieve this to progress your career, honestly I’d put my head down and graft on the improvements I needed to make and when you do pass it will be all the more rewarding and such massive sense of achievement, you’ll realise it was all worth it

 

[oldie48]

The problem with most exams is that are only testing you over a small period of time. So if you fail, it doesn't mean you are not good enough, it just means that in that short period of time you didn't reach the required standard. Get as much feedback as you can and work out what you need to do to improve and to what extent nerves, may or may not have been an issue. Don't lose confidence in your ability to teach as this is not what you were being tested on. Good luck for the next time. Don't give up!

 

[Trinket12]

Thanks Ossy2, what I needed to hear really. Got to just crack on

 

[Trinket12]

The problem with most exams is that are only testing you over a small period of time. So if you fail, it doesn't mean you are not good enough, it just means that in that short period of time you didn't reach the required standard. Get as much feedback as you can and work out what you need to do to improve and to what extent nerves, may or may not have been an issue. Don't lose confidence in your ability to teach as this is not what you were being tested on. Good luck for the next time. Don't give up!

Thank you! I did get a detailed feedback sheet, so will be going over with my coach on what we can focus on. We also had a rough 2020 riding wise, I probably only rode her in full work for a month before I had to do the video (we had a equine herpes quarantine in Jan, then she went lame in Feb, then lockdown in March and she wasn't back in full work until August and I had to do the video test in September).

You are all such a lovely bunch of people

 

[Cowpony]

So sorry you didn't get it this time. It's horrible to fail something. Did they give you any feedback on what you need to work on? I'd give their comments to your instructor and really focus on that in your lessons. Looking at the criteria they talk about a secure seat a lot, so maybe have a few concentrated lessons on position. I've done that over the last few months and my riding has improved hugely.

 

[Shysmum]

Sending huge hugs xxx