Simply put: a pattern is a planned ride. When you ride with a plan…you’ll begin to show up consistent. The more consistent you are…the easier it is for your horse to become consistent.  The magic of riding a pattern, especially a simple, boring pattern, is that it allows the rider to begin to observe their habits and their horse's habits. The most common habit often revealed is a riders' lack of preparation in transitions. The opposite of riding a pattern is riding randomly.  How can you tell if you are riding randomly?
 You’ll make last-minute decisions. You’ll cue quickly…and with very little preparation. This will reflect in your horse as resistance such as head tossing, etc.  How would you benefit from riding 10 minutes a day on a ‘boring’ pattern? What might you learn?