Rossland Stables

04/04/2026

Some riders plateau at 1.10m not because they lack talent—but because a few key pieces never fully come together. In showjumping, that height is often where the sport stops forgiving gaps.

Here’s what typically holds people there:

1. The basics aren’t as solid as they think
At 1.10, you can’t “get away with it” anymore. Inconsistent rhythm, weak straightness, or poor distance judgment start costing rails every round. Riders often chase bigger tracks instead of sharpening flatwork and fundamentals.

2. Riding reactively instead of proactively
Many riders at this level are still following the horse rather than riding the plan. They see a distance late, make last-second decisions, and rely on luck instead of creating the jump.

3. The wrong horse (or mismatch)
Not every horse has the scope, carefulness, or mindset to move up. And sometimes it’s not about the horse being “bad”—just not the right fit for that rider’s style or goals.

4. Comfort zone mentality
1.10 can feel safe and achievable, so riders stay there. Moving up means risking rails, time faults, and ego. A lot of people choose consistency over growth without realizing it.

5. Lack of correct coaching or feedback
Progress stalls when no one is truly pushing you or correcting the small details. The wrong voices—or too many voices—can also create confusion and inconsistency.

6. Mental ceiling
This is a big one. Riders often believe 1.10 is their limit. That belief shows up in hesitation, over-riding, or riding not to make a mistake instead of riding to succeed.

7. Inconsistent system
Training sporadically, changing methods, or not having a clear program makes it hard to build confidence and progression—for both horse and rider.

The truth?
Getting past 1.10 usually isn’t about doing something dramatic—it’s about doing the simple things exceptionally well, consistently, and under pressure.

The riders who move up:

Obsess over flatwork and rideability

Develop a clear system and stick to it

Put themselves (and their horses) in the right environments

Stay coachable and honest about their weaknesses

Get comfortable being uncomfortable

02/17/2026

Riders have more access than ever to information, competition, and opportunity. Cricket Stone is clear about one thing: experience still takes time. Talent and ambition matter, but they can’t replace years spent developing judgment.

Stone emphasized that feel develops gradually, through repetition and exposure. It’s not something riders acquire quickly, no matter how much instruction they receive.

After four decades in the horse industry, she has seen how tempting it can be to search for shortcuts. Riders want clear answers and fast progress. But horsemanship, she explained, doesn’t unfold on a compressed timeline. Skills like timing, feel, and decision-making are learned through doing and through seeing the same situations enough times to recognize them.

Stone stressed that while education is essential, experience plays an equally important role in shaping judgment. Riders can learn theory and rules, but understanding how to apply them comes from time in the saddle.

“You have to see a lot,” she said. “You have to make mistakes and learn from them.”

That process, she explained, can’t be rushed. Riders who move quickly through levels without encountering challenges often struggle later, when something unexpected happens. Without a range of experiences to draw from, they may not know how to adjust.

Stone noted that experienced riders often appear calm under pressure not because they have better instincts, but because they recognize situations they’ve encountered before.

Throughout the conversation, Stone returned to the value of exposure like riding different horses, working through problems, and seeing a wide range of scenarios.

“Every horse teaches you something different,” she said. “And you don’t always know what that lesson is going to be at the time.”

Those lessons accumulate over years. A difficult ride, a mistake, or a situation that didn’t go as planned often becomes a reference point later. When a similar issue arises, the rider has context and options. This kind of understanding doesn’t come from success alone. It comes from navigating uncertainty and learning how to respond when things don’t feel perfect.

📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2026/02/16/experience-cant-be-fast-tracked-in-horsemanship/
📸 © Lauren Mauldin

12/15/2025

Where exactly are these people who want to ride extras lol?
I mean I have a couple ( bless them ) but I’m not sure where this world is that everyone wants more riding time

In a world where everyone wants more riding time, trainer Geoff Case says the secret isn’t luck—it’s effort.

“People always ask me, ‘How do I get more chances to ride?’” he said. “The answer is simple: show up, pay attention, and work hard when no one’s watching.”

For Case, the difference between a rider who gets one opportunity and one who gets a hundred is professionalism.

Case learned early in his career that the riders who get called on are the ones who are there. “Half the time, opportunity looks like being in the right place at the right moment,” he said. “If you’re at the barn, if you’re helping, if you’re ready—you’ll get asked.”

He’s not talking about luck or timing. He’s talking about commitment. “You can’t get a ride if you’re sitting at home,” he said. “You have to be around. You have to make yourself available.”

That means doing the small things that make big impressions like helping tack up, walking a course for someone, or simply being on time every day. “Trainers notice,” Case said. “We always remember the kid who’s early, who’s dressed, who’s ready to help. That’s the one we trust to get on a horse when we need someone.”

He’s seen it time and again: a rider who’s quietly sweeping the aisle or holding a horse gets a surprise catch ride simply because they were nearby and prepared. “If you’re ready, those moments happen,” Case said. “If you’re not, they pass you by.”

Once you do get the chance to ride, Case says attitude is everything. “If someone hands you a horse, treat it like it’s the most important ride of your life,” he said. “That’s how people know they can count on you.”

He believes the best riders make every single ride look like a privilege, not a chore. “Even if it’s just walking a horse, do it like it matters,” he said. “That’s the difference between someone who’s hungry and someone who’s entitled.”

That level of care shows in how you cool out the horse, how you clean your tack, and how you talk to people around the barn. “Being a good horseman is being a good professional,” Case said. “The horses feel it, and so do the people who might give you your next chance.”

Case doesn’t mince words about what separates long-term success from short-term promise. “Work ethic beats talent every time,” he said. “Talent’s great, but if you don’t work, it doesn’t matter.”

📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/12/12/the-professional-habits-that-get-you-opportunities-to-ride/
📸 © The Plaid Horse

02/06/2025

Hummm…

From the short stirrup ring to the grand prix stadium, safety air vests have become one of the most popular and habitually worn riding garments. In one of the most–if not the most–dangerous sports, safety always hovers at the front of every rider’s mind.  But are air vests the safest choice f...

08/30/2021

That’s a wrap on CEP silver series for this year !
Congrats to the Rossland team on a great show
3 riders in the Derby and 1st ,6th and 7th places !

08/11/2021

08/11/2021

Literally me and my horse.

🍪

08/03/2021

😊😊😊😊😊