INTERVIEW WITH JANE SAVOIE
By Kimberly
Moody
Question: I am sure traveling so many weekends throughout the year to do seminars and clinics must get difficult and yet rewarding. Can you talk about your likes and dislikes of so much travel to give seminars and clinics?
The biggest dislike is the “Joys” of air travel. Delayed flights, cancelled flights and having to stay overnight in a hotel, scary flights with turbulence, long lines for check in. All the normal hassles of air travel. If it were just the actual clinic that would be great but there is so much more time added because of the travel time. The physical toll of travel becomes very difficult.
The most rewarding is the chance I get to meet a lot of new people and visit a lot of places that I wouldn’t normally get a chance to visit. I have been to almost every state in the country, with the exception of Hawaii and maybe South Dakota. I love seeing how everyone lives just a bit differently in each area. When giving clinics in areas that have little access to quality instruction or training facilities, it is really rewarding to see the light bulb moments for the participants. They can really see what they are able to do with their horses in such a short amount of time and their excitement when they learn it is not them or their horses creating a problem. I am able to give them the formulas or recipes to accomplish their goals. It’s like making a chocolate cake. If you follow the recipe using the same ingredients in the same amount, you will always produce Chocolate cake. That’s what I’m doing. I’m giving them the formulas or the recipes and they are able to produce the desired result.
Question: You have really turned your love of horses into a successful business. Would you have any advice to others who wanted to take their love of horses and create a business?
There are two suggestions I have. The first is that you have to be passionate about what you are doing because it is not a 9 to 5 job. It can’t feel like work. It has to be fun and feel like play. My day never ends at 5:00. I never added it up but I probably work at least 80 hours each week. So many things happen behind the scenes that have allowed me to create a successful business. It is a 24/7 job that permeates every aspect of your life. There has to be that willingness to that lifestyle in order to be successful.
Second, is something I’ve really focused on in just the last two years, and that is the marketing aspect. Those of us in the horse business have a schedule that tends to revolve around riding, training, and teaching and the missing link becomes the marketing. You may have a great business or product but if no one knows about it being successful will be challenging. Most horse people that I know are not strong marketers. I certainly wasn’t. I started taking classes and what I have learned is that strong Marketing is essential to your business. In the classes that I’ve taken they stress that “Marketing is more important than Mastery”. Be good at what you do but take the time to learn the marketing, or hire someone who can do the marketing for you. People often tell me “I don’t have the time to learn about the marketing” My response is “You don’t have the time NOT to learn about it. It’s got to be a
priority!”
Question: If you had an opportunity to give a new student/amateur rider only two pieces of advice to maintain a happy and successful relationship with a horse partner, what would they be?
Listen to your horse!!! That means looking beyond the surface. A lot of times I hear people say “My horse is being bad”, and then they go on to explain the behavior that is considered bad. What we have to realize is that horses don’t think in terms of good and bad, they think in terms of comfort and discomfort. 99.9% of the time, when there is “bad” behavior it is due to discomfort such as an ill fitting saddle, dental work needing to be done, or chiropractic work. Sometimes it can take a while to figure out what is causing discomfort, but your horses is trying to tell you he is uncomfortable through his behavior and usually the reason can be found.
Keep your priorities in the right order. A lot of times when people ride, especially those that are competing, their priorities are not in the right order. They compete to boost their ego. If you are a real horseman, the welfare of your horse comes first and ego comes second. If you are showing to boost your ego or show off your training you’re going down the wrong road. You have to be the advocate for your horse because no one else will. I find it’s hardest for young people, newer to the scene, because they are ambitious and out to make their mark. As you get a little long in the tooth, it’s easier to do.Question: What is the single mistake that you see amateur riders make most often?
They do not understand how to put their horses “on the bit”. When you know the recipe, it’s very easy!
Question: What suggestions would you give to participants and auditors to get the most from your clinics and seminars?
Take Notes! Make sure you come prepared to take notes. Statistics show that even if you never read your notes again the simple act of pen to paper will help you retain at least 50%. If you just passively sit and listen then 97% of what you heard will be lost in two weeks time.
Make every moment count! During the clinic is not the time to socialize and chat with your friends. This can be very distracting to the clinicians (yes we can hear the whispering buzz and even locate where it’s coming from!) and make it difficult for others around you to concentrate on what the clinician is saying. These are extraordinary learning opportunities and it is a shame to miss any moment of it. If you have that overwhelming urge to talk, I always suggest to people to find that area away from the arena, where it won’t be distracting to anyone. Another good idea is to wait until the lunch break or schedule dinner for after the event to catch up with those friends you may not have seen for awhile that are in attendance.
Question: Over the many years of your professional career, what has been the biggest change, if any, in your philosophy from when you started until now?
Probably two things. When I was younger, because I am very competitive, competition and end results were very important to me. Now, I’m less focused on the end results and really enjoying the journey with each horse. With each competition I make more personal goals. For example, with my Friesian, the first time we competed 4th level, my personal goals were to go well in a double bridle, have smooth tempi changes, and use the corners well. My goals are more personal and I’m much more relaxed and my focus is much more about me and my horse than what’s going on around me.
The other big thing that has changed and developed over the last 20 years, is my knowledge of sports psychology. Over the years, I’ve had to deal with show nerves, insecurities, and mental monsters. I
realized how much the mental game is part of the sport. At the higher levels of competition in any sport, what sets the elite athletes apart from one another is what goes on between their ears. Learning how to deal with those “mental monsters” is a big part of success. I’m always learning, and in the last couple of years I’ve even learned a few new exciting techniques that are not in any of my books.
Question: I read that you are fond of the Baroque/Iberian horses. What makes this breed especially suited for Dressage and so Question: I read that you are fond of the Baroque/Iberian horses. What makes this breed especially suited for Dressage and so rewarding to work with?
I am fond of them but it is a personal taste. For me, the Baroque horses are like fairy tale horses – you see them in the story books or in the movies – long manes and flowing tails. They are just beautiful and I love to look at them! As for being well suited for Dressage, the ones I’ve worked with personally have a wonderful work ethic, willingness to please, and are very easy to work with. Of course it doesn’t
matter what the breed, a good horse is a good horse! Each one brings their uniqueness to the mix and we have to appreciate them all. That goes for horses, dogs, and people. Everyone is special in their own way and the differences are what makes it interesting!
Question: Based on your personality traits, what breed of horse would you be?
If I were to be reincarnated as a horse I would be a Thoroughbred! I’m a type A personality, going
either 100 miles an hour in fast forward or completely immobile. I try my heart out and will turn myself inside out trying to please.