08/06/2026
“Progress isn’t linear”
“Riding isn’t easy. If it was, everyone would do it”
Both things I repeat almost daily. To my students, to my friends, to myself.
It’s true. Riding isn’t easy, and some days will be more bad than good.
Rides that make you question life
Rides that are euphoric
Rides that make you feel small
Rides that have AHA moments
Rides that make you feel embarrassed
Rides that make you understand life
The question behind riding is - “what’s your WHY?”
Why do you ride, why do you surround yourself with horses? Why do you do this?
Is it because it brings you joy?
Is it because you’re proving to yourself that you can do it?
Is it because someone told you years ago that you couldn’t?
Is it to move up the ranks?
Is it because you’re reclaiming your identity after raising a family?
Is it because you’re coming back from an injury?
Is it because it’s a hobby away from corporate world that brings you peace?
All of those (and more) are valid “why’s”. Whatever your why is, is the reason you should continue and push forward.
Find your why, and hang on to it like a literal lifeline.
And more importantly :
Make sure your table supports your why. The people at your table matter.
Are there people at your table that secretly hope for your failure? Boot them.
Do the people at your table cheer for you and push you forward when you feel like quitting? Keep them.
If you feel like your table is secretly judging you, make your own table and limit the seats.
Surround yourself with people that will support you, let you vent and give you a loving kick in the butt when you’re being mean to yourself.
That’s half the battle.
The horse world is hard. Some people are great, some people are snakes. Some people cheer for those they don’t even know and some people create mayhem just for the fun of it.
Choose wisely.
PC - Gia Nichole Photography
