The Mindful Equestrian

The Mindful Equestrian Performance coaching for equestrians wanting to achieve more positive results in all aspects of the Hunter/Jumper lessons and clinics.

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in every moment, not worrying about what was or what might be. A mindful rider is able to focus on what is happening right now with themselves and their horse, maintaining low stress and a higher ability for top performance. My clinics combine my 35+ years of experience in the hunter/jumper industry (AHSA/USEF, IHSA, Equine Science Professor Hunt Seat M

orrisville State College), mindfulness training and coach training and certification (International Coach Academy) to give riders strategies and tools for better mental focus and riding success. Each rider is considered individually and supported with the tools that will work best for them. The benefits from the performance coaching can also be carried into day to day life since we mirror the same issues in our riding that we do in other areas of our lives. Mindfulness then becomes a whole life practice and success tool. Performance coaching for riders of all disciplines who want more a positive experience whenever riding and competing. Group seminars available as well as private phone coaching sessions. Add a performance coaching seminar to your riding clinic. Over 35 years experience training hunters/jumpers and students.

One of my fafvorite words is "grit." It's a quality that Angela Duckworth researches and discovered that the quality of ...
07/02/2025

One of my fafvorite words is "grit." It's a quality that Angela Duckworth researches and discovered that the quality of grit is passion plus perseverance. Passion alone is not enough to get what you desire. You need that perseverance, grit and courage to make things happen!

Research at Stanford University has shown that when you multitask you become less productive and you make more mistakes....
07/01/2025

Research at Stanford University has shown that when you multitask you become less productive and you make more mistakes. In fact, you aren’t really multi-tasking, you are shifting focus back and forth between tasks. So it is important to prioritize what needs to be worked on and do the most important thing first and then when that is done, work on the next. This can be useful in all aspects of your life. In riding particularly it is so easy to try and fix and work on too many things at once. This leads to frustration as you don’t end up doing anything very well. So when you want to work on changing your riding position or technique or changing something in your horse’s training pick the most important foundational thing first. Work on that until it becomes automatic. Then work on the next most important thing. If you are a trainer keep this in mind when working with a rider. Don’t throw too many things at them to fix at once. Remember, keep it simple! Consider how you can apply this to all parts of your life.

When we compare ourselves to others' success, we only see one side of the story. We often forget that everyone faces str...
06/30/2025

When we compare ourselves to others' success, we only see one side of the story. We often forget that everyone faces struggles and weaknesses. Don't be too hard on yourself, as you are not alone in this. Keep in mind that success takes effort and time, and we all have our own unique journey to follow.

I had a great time doing clinics last week! First on Friday I was at Galemont Farm LLC and had a blast! Horses and rider...
06/30/2025

I had a great time doing clinics last week! First on Friday I was at Galemont Farm LLC and had a blast! Horses and riders were fantastic!🐴🦄 Thanks Christa Carson and Brenda Oliver Peck for inviting me! Then Sunday I was at Sablewood for a monthly clinic/lesson day I have been doing since April. This was #4. What a great time I have each time I go and everyone, riders and horses, are wonderful! ❤️ Thanks again Barbara Ann Ferraro for scheduling these monthly sessions!

The picture is from Galemont Farm. Forgot to get some at Sablewood🙄.

If you would like to schedule a clinic or have me come regularly for clinic/lessons days reach out to me at [email protected] or 315-427-9498. I still have spots available for the fall.

Embrace your authentic self as a rider, instead of molding yourself into what you believe others expect. Release the pre...
06/29/2025

Embrace your authentic self as a rider, instead of molding yourself into what you believe others expect. Release the pressure to fit in and celebrate your individuality. Remember, there's only one you—cherish your uniqueness and let it shine!

Neuroscience research has revealed that struggle plays a crucial role in strengthening brain signals, thereby improving ...
06/28/2025

Neuroscience research has revealed that struggle plays a crucial role in strengthening brain signals, thereby improving learning. When mistakes are made, corrected, and practiced, the brain's pathways become more efficient. Embracing struggle as part of the learning process is essential for growth and development.
This concept aligns with the idea of the beginner's mind from Zen Buddhism. Someone with a beginner's mind understands that learning is an endless journey, and life's challenges present opportunities for growth.
Worrying about things being difficult or avoiding struggle is counterproductive. Instead, remind yourself to lean into challenges, knowing that doing so will strengthen your brain and your skills simultaneously. This mindset can be liberating, reducing stress when faced with challenges and allowing you to approach them with curiosity and wonder.
Isn't that amazing?

Cited: You can check these out to learn more
https://buff.ly/2NifIoV
https://buff.ly/3oBRTii

Follow your own path and don't look to others to validate your self-worth. You know deep down what is best for you and f...
06/27/2025

Follow your own path and don't look to others to validate your self-worth. You know deep down what is best for you and for the success you desire!

We often create elaborate stories in our heads about potential future problems or regrets from past mistakes. Our minds ...
06/26/2025

We often create elaborate stories in our heads about potential future problems or regrets from past mistakes. Our minds treat these stories as if they're real, triggering a stress response as though they've already happened. Yet, when the future arrives, most of these imagined scenarios never occur. Nonetheless, we've experienced them as if they did. Cultivating a mindfulness practice can help you stay present, focusing on what's happening right now—whether good or bad—and letting go of those stories. Seek ways to return to the present moment and break the cycle of problems created by your mind.

We often create elaborate stories in our heads about potential future problems or regrets from past mistakes. Our minds treat these stories as if they're real, triggering a stress response as though they've already happened. Yet, when the future arrives, most of these imagined scenarios never occur. Nonetheless, we've experienced them as if they did. Cultivating a mindfulness practice can help you stay present, focusing on what's happening right now—whether good or bad—and letting go of those stories. Seek ways to return to the present moment and break the cycle of problems created by your mind.

Equestrians often maintain a relentless 24/7 pace, feeling guilty for taking breaks. However, this unsustainable lifesty...
06/25/2025

Equestrians often maintain a relentless 24/7 pace, feeling guilty for taking breaks. However, this unsustainable lifestyle prevents peak performance. Allow yourself to pause, practice self-care, and recharge regularly. You'll see an improvement in both your well-being and productivity!

I've noticed many products and services marketed to us with seemingly truthful claims, making it easy to fall into the t...
06/24/2025

I've noticed many products and services marketed to us with seemingly truthful claims, making it easy to fall into the trap of spending money on unproven results. Some products and services have huge followings, as their marketing is so good and believable that people buy into it and share the claims far and wide. It's kind of like the story of "The Emperor's New Clothes" by Hans Christian Andersen. Everyone assumes it must be true, even though they might have doubts, until someone like the child in the story speaks the real truth.

So, why am I mentioning this in a Mindful Riding Tip? It's because this is happening regularly in the horse industry as well. There seems to be a pattern of conformity where people think they have to follow the crowd if so many others are saying something works. This happens for various reasons, and different parts of our brains can be involved in the process.

The part of the brain you want to activate before spending your hard-earned money on a product or service is the prefrontal cortex. That's where rational thinking, decision-making, and emotional regulation happen. Becoming more mindful can help in these cases, as it allows us to pause and not just react and follow the crowd. A mindful pause helps shift our thinking to the prefrontal cortex, giving us time to do research and ask the right questions. I've spent plenty of money on things that didn't deliver as much as they promised, but I've also learned some valuable lessons. Now, I'm more skeptical and look to science and research as much as possible to see if what's being claimed is true. I love science, and I do my best to use practices in my coaching that can be backed by evidence. Make sure to take a mindful pause and do your research before spending money on a product or service. I bet you'll save some money!

You don’t have to be a meditation expert to feel more grounded.In my latest podcast episode, I share a practical tool I ...
06/24/2025

You don’t have to be a meditation expert to feel more grounded.
In my latest podcast episode, I share a practical tool I use with riders and entrepreneurs to help reset focus and settle the nervous system—without needing 30 minutes and a cushion.
🎧 Available now on The Mindful Equestrian Podcast
Apple Podcast:
https://apple.co/3CAuIME

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3UWOnKWn0r043EA5BOn8bI

Podbean:
https://themindfulequestrian.podbean.com/
Tag a friend who could use a breather right about now. 🌿

We can't change what has happened in the past and worrying about it does no good. Instead, it does harm by keeping us an...
06/23/2025

We can't change what has happened in the past and worrying about it does no good. Instead, it does harm by keeping us anxious and stuck. Learn from the past, let it go and move forward. Give yourself a break.

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Sherrill, NY
13461

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+13154279498

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