With rugging season set to continue for a while longer, it’s the perfect time for a quick safety check. We’ve all seen it… a rug slipped halfway down a shoulder, or leg straps dangling dangerously close to hocks. Rugs are put on with the best of intentions – we just want our horses to be …
We’ve all heard the “old school” riding advice. Perhaps you were even one of the many riders taught to ride while imagining – or literally holding – tennis balls between your knees and the saddle. The logic was simple: if you grip hard enough, you won’t fall off. However, as our understanding of rider biomechanics …
Read more “Beyond the Tennis Ball: Why Gripping with Your Knees is Blocking Your Progress”
If I’m being honest, launching an equestrian coaching business from scratch – where the “product” is your own knowledge and experience – is one of the most challenging and rewarding paths I have ever taken. In a modern world of “video-first” content and social media trends, I have chosen a different route. As someone who …
Read more “The Philosophy Behind the Name: Excellence in Equestrian Coaching”
As we approach the final days of 2025, the pressure to set “big” New Year’s resolutions is everywhere. But as equestrians, we know that progress isn’t made in one giant leap on January 1st; it’s made in the quiet, consistent moments every day. If you want 2026 to be the year you truly level up, …
Read more “The Power of the Pen: Why Every Rider Needs a Training Diary in 2026”
We have all heard the famous Dr. Seuss quote: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” In the equestrian world, we might be inclined to take this literally; we want to “go places” – whether that is a successful first hack …
Read more “Beyond the Arena: Why the Best Riders are the Best Students”
When I learned to ride – long, long ago – I had a few lessons in a field (there was no formal arena at the stables I went to). I wore welly boots, borrowed a hat, and wore ordinary trousers and t-shirts, although I did also have a bodywarmer that I loved and thought looked …
Are you looking for the perfect coach for your riding journey? You might have noticed a few different acronyms when searching for qualified equestrian professionals: BHS, UKCC, CIEC, ECC, but what do they all mean? As a qualified coach myself, I believe passionately in transparency and professionalism. I want to help you understand the landscape …
Read more “What Do Equestrian Coaching Qualifications Really Mean?”
Last ride, you nailed it. The canter work felt powerful, the transitions were crisp, and you finished the session feeling like you finally got it. Fast forward 48 hours, and suddenly you can’t manage a clean downward transition, your horse is spooky, and you leave the arena frustrated and questioning everything. If this sounds familiar, …
Read more “The Equestrian Rollercoaster: Embracing Non-Linear Progress”
Useful, desirable, and not a single bit of tat… Equestrians, share this with your nearest and dearest! Christmas is fast approaching, and you might already be thinking about about finding that perfect little something for the equestrian in your life. Forget the novelty items that gather dust! Riders are practical people. We spend our lives …
There’s a line from a poem by Jessica Katoff that has always resonated deeply with me, especially when I think about the challenges horse riders face: “My past is an armour I cannot take off, no matter how many times you tell me the war is over.” When I first read it, my mind immediately …
Read more “The Invisible Armour: When Your Riding Past Still Weighs You Down”