Oh, if I had a nickel for every time someone told me they wished they could stop caring what other people think at horse shows. I’ve heard it from pros. I’ve heard it from non-pros. And I’ve heard it from plenty of riders who know they ride better when they’re not mentally performing for everyone […]

If you want to reach your full potential as a rider, you have to train your mind just as intentionally as you train your horse. A rider sat next to me on the bleachers, glowing with excitement. “Check this out,” she said, pulling out her phone to show me some recent videos. “I’ve finally dialed […]

Comparison in riding doesn’t mean you’re jealous or failing. More often, it’s a clue pointing toward what matters most to you. I’ll never forget the first time I felt comparison in my body. Not as a thought. As a feeling. I was standing at the back gate watching another rider warm up. She looked so […]

Raise your hand if your horse kicks out during lead changes. Don’t worry, we listen and we don’t judge. As a matter of fact, I’ll do you one better and share three unexpected reasons your horse might kick during lead changes. “My mare kicks out every time I ask for the change.She knows how to […]

Raise your hand if your horse kicks out during lead changes If your horse kicks out during lead changes, it can feel like your horse is mad, resistant, or calling you out in the middle of the ride. That was exactly the energy in the message sitting in my inbox last week: “My mare kicks […]

A simple mindset routine can help you get back on track when life knocks you out of rhythm. Whew. I’ve been sick. Like “lay on the couch and feel like a used dishrag” kind of sick. And if you’ve been there, you know the weird feeling that comes after. You start to feel better… but […]

When riding plans change, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind—but that doesn’t mean you’ve stopped making progress. Have you ever made a beautifully thought-out training plan—only to have your horse come up sore, your schedule fall apart, or your motivation completely disappear? Same. This week, I want to pull back the curtain and […]

Confidence with your horse isn’t built only in the show pen. Sometimes it’s built on one unforgettable ride that reminds you why you fell in love with horses in the first place. Ever have a ride that stops time? One of those holy, wild, goosebump moments where you remember exactly why you fell in love […]

Can horses sense your emotions? If you’ve ever noticed your horse acting differently when you’re stressed, science says there’s a good reason why. The other day, I rolled into the barn like a storm cloud rolling in over the plains. Dark. Stormy. Nobody could do anything right. Honestly, if you’d shown up with coffee and […]

Mental training for riders is not about adding one more huge thing to your already full schedule. It is about learning how to use the time, money, and training you are already investing more effectively. The real cost of skipping mental training for riders $50,000. Yep. That was the total one rider told me she […]