The last horse show of the season always feels bittersweet to me. I am happy for my horses to enjoy a very well deserved break, but I know the competitor in me that just loves to show will be going stir-crazy in no time!

 This year I opted to only show at Capital Challenge (Md.) and the Pennsylvania National, skipping the Washington International and the National (Ky.). I have mostly young pre-green horses at the moment, so it seemed like a lot of effort and money to take only one horse (my second year green horse Poker Face) to these last two indoor shows.

Plus, Pokey has shown a lot this year and has done everything that I’ve asked of him.  I decided to let his fall schedule be a little bit light, give all the horses a nice period of rest, and then gear up again in Florida in December with the whole group.

The quiet time in between show seasons tends to make me quite reflective. It is a good opportunity to think about where I ended up versus what my goals were starting out, and what changes I can make to be more successful next year. 

I think that it is important to find a balanced mindset, focusing on both what went right and what went wrong. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in what needs improvement, so hungry to get better, that I forget to stop for a moment and celebrate the victories, both literal and figurative.

One of the many things that I love about this sport is that you never stop learning, and that there are always going to be fresh experiences.  It could be a new horse, a new client, a new show venue. There are always going to be ups and downs, but you really have to appreciate the journey along the way.

Overall I am happy with how my year went and the spot that I am in now. I had some unforeseen challenges, but I was able to achieve many of my goals and my horses have become so much more mature and seasoned. It’s amazing to think about how out of the three pre-green horses I showed last week at Harrisburg, this time last year one had never set foot in the show ring and two had shown just one time.   

Jennifer Bliss on the pre-green horse Cooperstown at the Pennsyvania National. Photo by Kimberly Loushin/COTH

I was lucky enough to ride two out of the three in their first shows. It’s pretty special to remember those initial green classes, and then to now feel those same horses walk into the ring just so brave, confident, and competitive. They all seem happy and comfortable in their jobs, and I am excited for them to all move up a division next year.

One of the main goals that I set for myself this year was to win the WCHR Developing Pro National Championship. I have won the Northeast region award the past few years, but I really wanted to push myself further. I’m proud that I was able to achieve that goal, because I think that that particular program rewards consistency at the top shows throughout the year, with the pressure of a championship-type atmosphere in the end at Capital Challenge. 

One of my ultimate dreams as a hunter rider is to one day compete in the WCHR Pro Finals on Friday night at Capital Challenge, and winning the year-end title felt like a stepping-stone in learning what it takes to get to that level. 

On principle, I’m also just proud that I was able to set a goal in the beginning of the year and have the focus and fortitude to see it thru till the end. I believe that a big part of being a top professional is knowing how to manage your horses throughout the year and how to help them peak at certain events.

At the top shows, almost everyone rides great and is well mounted.  It becomes partly a game of who can get the most out of their horses when it really counts. It is not enough to just be a good rider or trainer—you have to be a great horseman at the heart of it all. This sense of timing and preparedness is an art and something that I know comes with experience. But it is something that I have become very cognizant of and really want to improve upon, because I think it separates the best from the rest. 

It is one of many areas where I feel fortunate to have Jimmy Toon’s advice and input. There is a certain comfort in being able to bounce ideas off of someone who has already been champion at all the big shows and done the things I hope to do. And yet he appreciates the fact that at the end of the day I know my horses better than anyone else. 

There have been times, like at Devon and Derby Finals, when I feel like we really got it right. And other shows, not quite, where my horses ended up great but in hindsight I wish that I had maybe done certain things to have them more ready for the first class. It’s all a part of the learning curve of where I am right now.

Someone once told me that the hardest transition they ever had to make was from successfully jumping 1.50-meter classes to winning 1.60-meter grand prix classes.  I didn’t completely grasp this at the time, because I felt like once you were at that level could a couple holes higher really make such a huge difference? 

But I totally get it now. Often, the difference between an 85 and a 90 score at indoors is the difference between a blue ribbon and a brown one. All of the details, both inside and outside the show ring, truly add up.

I feel like I’ve made strides this year and I am happy to be pretty consistently in the ribbons at the big shows. I’ve gained some confidence to feel that I am on the right track. But now it is about becoming more polished, and continuing to fine-tune my program.

This time next year I aim to be focusing on larger goals and smaller details.  I hope to build upon my successes from this year and dare to dream even bigger. 

Jennifer Bliss had a very successful junior career, which included achievements such as earning USEF Pony Finals championships and national year-end championships in the pony and junior hunter divisions, and top 15 placings in all the major equitation finals. A professional rider and trainer whose focus is on the hunter ring, she began her own business, Harris Hill Farm, in 2007. She especially loves developing special young hunters, and teaching junior and amateur clients.  To find out more about Jennifer please visit www.harrishillfarmllc.com.