Keeping your ability and your horses ability and level of training in perspective is important when heading to jackpots.  You don’t want to set yourself or your horse up for failure.  It is my opinion that our horses well being should be our priority.  Are they happy? Confident?  Do they know what is expected of them?

If it is your horses first season of going to jackpots away from home you should have lower expectations than if it is your 3rd or 4th season.  If this is your first year you can expect to make some mistakes.  If you’ve had a few years of hauling down the road you should expect yourself to be better and maintaining your composure under pressure.

Bottom line – consider your experience and your horses experience before setting your expectations or assessing how you have done following the competition.