Career Truths Learned from Horse Shows

Performance is relative.  You don't have to be perfect to succeed, just better than the next guy.
If you have a bobble, go on as if nothing happened, and it's likely no one will notice.
The only person whose opinion really matters is the guy (or gal) who signs your paycheck.
Stay humble.  Just because you won today doesn't mean you'll win tomorrow.  Or the next day.
Long term, gimmicks and shortcuts are no substitutes for talent and hard work.
Hard work is no substitute for talent, but it'll do in a pinch.
Appearance does count.  Often, a lot.
If you don't keep your skills current, you'll be obsolete.
No matter how catastrophic today's failure may seem, there will another opportunity to succeed tomorrow.
If you're successful today, no one will remember you failed yesterday.
Cherish your accomplishments. Learn from your failures.
Succeeding at something challenging is far more satisfying than succeeding at something easy.
Understated is a safe choice, but not always the best choice.
Looking like a winner makes you feel like a winner. If you feel like a winner, you'll have a competitive edge.
If you're ostentatious, you'll get noticed.  But if you don't deliver, you'll really be noticed.
Be careful of the enemies you make - they could be your judges tomorrow.
Money and connections can help you down the road to success, but you'll need hard work and talent to get the rest of the way.
The good guys don't always win.  Neither do the smartest or most talented guys. 
No one likes a complainer.  Everyone likes a complimenter.
There's no substitute for being prepared. 
No matter how good you are, if you don't play by the rules, you'll still lose.
Cheaters win sometimes, but not most of the time.
If you're not having fun, something needs to change. Only you can make that change.
If you think you're too good for something, you'll quickly find out you're not good enough.

You're your own worst critic.
No success is worth sacrificing a friendship.
If you think you're going to lose, you will.  If you think you can win, you just might.
Trying to succeed is different than trying to avoid losing.
Long term, consistent performance will take you farther than flashes of brilliance.