It’s been a great year for me.  Wing and I qualified for all the medal finals we set out to qualify for.  Now, finals are upon us.

That’s great, but suddenly I can’t seem to nail a trot jump. What’s with that?!? A trot jump is part of almost every test, not to mention a key element in handy hunter rounds.  And, at the moment, I can’t seem to do it, or at least I can’t seem to do it well. Wing looks back at me as if to say, “What the heck is your problem? You’re making me nervous, Sister.”

Not going anywhere but ‘round and ‘round the arena?

Are you aimlessly participating in lessons with no real plan?

Let me give you a hand.

Last month I wrote about envy between riders, and how it often seems hard for us to genuinely support each other. This month I want to highlight our equestrian community as family, and how some of our top riders model good sportsmanship, generosity and kindness.

I get a lot of suggestions for articles; one of the topics that comes up most frequently is envy among fellow riders and the discomfort it creates at the barn.  

Let’s start by defining our terms so we know what we’re talking about.  What is envy?  

Have you fallen off your horse and hurt yourself? Did you sustain injuries not only to your body but also to your psyche?  In our career as equestrians, most of us will experience a nasty fall or two.  When a young rider tumbled off at the IEA Nationals last year, the announcer said matter-of-factly, ‘well, the only riders who don’t fall are those who don’t ride.’  True words.  

I see a lot of misunderstanding and mistrust in our industry.  Clients are upset with trainers; trainers are frustrated with riders; and non-rider parents often feel out of the loop when it comes to the horses. 

Is our sport in trouble?  There seem to be fewer riders out there.  At least, fewer of them are at the A shows.

Serena Williams’ Nike ad during the Oscars was a show stopper for me, as for many women.  Dream Crazier.  Williams speaks powerfully about how we women are told our dreams are unattainable, crazy, delusional—and that we should give them up—or at least lower our expectations. 

Recently one of my clients exclaimed, “maybe I’m just too old to be doing this.” This person is not old by any means; her comment emerged from her sense of guilt for enjoying the horses so much and wanting to continue to show ‘at her age.’ I wanted to exclaim—what, too old? Are you kidding me? (She’s at least a decade younger than I am!)

Forty eight lucky riders were treated to the NorCal Hunter Jumper Association’s clinic with superstar grand prix rider and trainer Mandy Porter. The clinic, which was really two clinics spanning over two days each, was hosted by Leone Equestrians in Sacramento from November 29-December 2, 2018.