We often meet new riders that have lost their confidence and feel they “should be better” or “should be riding at a certain level “ because somebody’s friend said so when commenting on their video on social media .
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are filled with carefully selected and edited images and videos that highlight mostly the best moments under saddle , often leaving out the challenges of everyday riding .
This then leads to unrealistic expectations and comparisons, as the viewers may feel pressure to live up to these expectations .
In reality, Riding horses has both highs and lows that are rarely captured in the filtered world of social media. Let’s be honest, none of us are perfect riders . We are human, we make mistakes and our Horses are not robots. We are always learning from one another ,and there is always more to work on . The only person we should ever be in competition with is ourselves & try to be better than we were yesterday.
It is important for our next generation of young equestrians are reminded that what they see online is only a fraction of someone's entire riding experience, and to encourage them to engage with social media in a way that promotes authenticity and mental well-being to themselves and others using it .
Your challenge for 2025 !!
Throughout the whole of 2025 ,our coaches , Staff and Liveries want you to tell us just ONE positive word from how you feel your ride went after every ride. For those of you in groups! We want ONE positive word for how you feel your fellow riders session went .
Here’s a little video we made from two snippets of just 15 minutes of riding .
- Social media vs Reality !
Not going to lie , we’ve had proper belly laughs today getting the Grinch ready for our Fun day 😂🎄🐎
We are all feeling super Festive this year ! 🎄🐎
As Riders, We require a unique amount of strength and suppleness in order to stay in balance and positively affect our horses. So it makes sense that we would work on ourselves as much as we do our horses.Poor biomechanics will create a poor result in our horses and run the risk of pain and injury to the rider.Great biomechanics will create the opposite for both of us . Tonight we worked on multiple exercises to improve our riders position and balance & how that affected our horses way of going and the difference it made. It Was lovely to see such positive outcomes and we had so much fun at the same time 🐎 Our next clinic Date is in July 🐴
Happy Christmas Eve 🎄
Thank you to all our Clients for all your continued support again in 2023 , we have had an Amazing year !
The horses have gone out wrapped up all snug for some well deserved down time . ❤️
See you all soon and we Hope you have an Amazing Christmas 🎄
Love ,
Jay , David , Kelsey , Leah & Nicole ###xx
We are very sorry to have cancelled lessons today . Yesterday was a devastating day for Me & the Team as we had an incident with Hussar flipping over backwards after he suffered with a brain aneurysm on Fraisthorpe beach . Im absolutely convinced he would have crushed me but he tried to spin out of my way both of us landing and hitting our heads . I was unconscious for 4 minutes then woke up to see my horse had passed away . I’m absolutely fine physically apart from a few broken ribs but I’m absolutely devastated emotionally as he was my ultimate best friend and we have been through so much together.
I felt the need to give the girls a break today as it was traumatic for us all. I’ve spoken with a few people from the beach who helped us and I can’t thank them enough but my yard family have been an absolute rock of support for me and From the bottom of my heart I love you all so much .
Kelsey, David & Leah will be taking over the yard for little while but I hope to see you all again when I’m back ..
Jay x
Thanks so much to everyone who came to our Christmas party & Awards evening last night and made it amazing we all had such a good time and can’t wait for next years !
I’m pretty sure there will be some sore heads this morning but i just wanted to announce the winners again this morning for the ones that couldn’t attend.
Stable star ⭐️ Volunteer of the year - recognising the exceptional volunteer achievements of the year Was won by Olivia Butler & the runner up was Lucy Norton.
Rising star ⭐️ award - Nominees shown significant improvement over the years was won by Monica wheeler with Brodie Jae brown as runner up .
Most improved in confidence - nominee shown great determination and courage was won by summer dowie & the runner up Megan whiteley.
Most improved newcomer - nominee to have started with us this year & have progressed a Grade was won by Isla Norris ! With Isabella hawksworth as runner up .
Most improved Junior rider - nominee under 10 years of age to have improved the most was won by Abigail braidley ! With Isabella butterfield as our runner up.
Congratulations everyone absolutely amazing 🤩
Well done to everyone who came showjumping today ! Some fab costumes & I couldn’t choose the best one so could everyone send me some pictures and will upload them into the group for everyone else to choose !
Unfortunately we are outside so had to abort mission when the storm came in but still had a brill day ☔️
Brodie and flash were the entertainment this afternoon when he certainly didn’t want the pumpkin near his toes ! Made for a good TIK TOK 😂
Everyone’s points have been added to the league and looking forward to the next one in November ☺️
**we do not own the rights to this music 🎶 **
Ready to start the first class poles on the floor ☀️
We are looking for a Coach to Join our Team . Sundays & one evening in the week . The position Would possibly be more suited to someone freelance or self employed but equally we are happy to employ someone .
We are looking for a coach with good knowledge and understanding of horses . A friendly and patient person with an enthusiastic manner.
Willingness to work outside in all types of weather & Able to Plan & Organise Fun lessons to teach children and adults of all abilities.
An up to date DBS certificate, First aid & Safeguarding are Also required.
Good rates of pay for the right person ☺️
Contact us for more details ..
The Orchard Equestrian Centre is an Equestrian centre based in Thorpe in balne , Doncaster.
