Some things are small. Some things are so small that it’s hard to believe they could make a meaningful difference. Would you notice if something moved 1/1000th of an inch? 1/100th? Would you see if I was 1/1000th of a second faster or slower than you? And even if we did notice, would it really matter?

Justin and Kola were competing in the USA Working Equitation Regional Finals this weekend. The first day, Dressage, Justin tied for first with another rider. The tie was broken by totaling the collective marks, and Justin placed second. The second day, after the Ease of Handling phase—second again. Until…

In the process of checking score sheets, a small addition error was found. When the dust settled, Justin dropped one placing. He trailed second place by… yes… 1/1000th of a point.

For Justin and Kola, that 1/1000th meant some emotional ups and downs, a bit of pressure, and the challenge of channeling that tension into their Speed round. In the end, it didn’t change much. They still rode beautifully. They still came home champions of their division.

But it got me thinking about small differences and the meaning we attach to them.

Competition, by design, magnifies differences. It’s a system of measurement, of ranking, of deciding who wins and who loses. That’s not inherently bad; it can drive growth, focus, and excellence. But when our identity starts to hinge on where we land in that ranking, when our self-worth depends on the data, we step into more dangerous psychological territory.

The idea that who I am is what I achieve, performance identity, is a shaky foundation. In equestrian sport, it’s especially seductive. We invest deeply: time, money, energy, heart. The partnership with a horse makes the stakes feel even more personal. When things go well, we feel validated. When they don’t, we question everything.

When our sense of self depends on the scoreboard, that 1/1000th of a point can feel like a verdict. Not just about performance, but about worth. It narrows our lens until all we can see is how close we came to being “better.” And that steals joy, presence, and perspective from the very thing we love.

The truth is, most of life happens in the space beyond measurement. In the quiet rides, the small moments of connection, the unseen effort, and perhaps most importantly the supportive community that surrounds us . Those things don’t show up on a score sheet, but they are the true substance of growth.

So maybe the challenge isn’t to erase our competitive drive, but to hold it more lightly. To remember that 1/1000th of a point doesn’t define us, it just reminds us how close the margins are between doing and being, between striving and enough.

Justin and Kola didn’t need a perfect score to prove anything. They already had what mattered most: partnership, resilience, and a story that will be retold among friends.

And maybe that’s the point…

Sometimes, the smallest differences are there to remind us of what can’t be measured at all.

~ Paul

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