Erin Hughes Equestrian

07/23/2024

We have had a busy couple months of horse shows! First down at World Equestrian Center Ohio at the end of May, then two weeks up at Traverse City Horse Shows in June, a weekend at Woodbine Farm in July and another week down at World Equestrian Center Ohio in July. We all had an amazing time. Here are a few pictures of our adventures!

06/19/2024

I love this article. I tell my students that each rider is on their own journey, and their competition should be with themselves. We set goals and are proud of where we are and where we’re going.

BY LAUREN MAULDIN I’ve spent a long time feeling like I was lesser within the equestrian world. Growing up riding at a small private barn, our focus was fox hunting and horsemanship, not equitation medals and hack classes. I didn’t have anxiety about my junior career, because I had no junior car...

05/24/2024

9 Facts About Perfectionism: A mindset that must be unlearned or will ultimately bring your riding down 🧠

1. Every rider makes mistakes, even the best of the best.
It’s an unavoidable, universal experience and all a part of the sport.

2. Mistakes are learning opportunities.
You can grow from them and become better because of them.

3. Hyper-focusing on mistakes helps them happen.
They both become a self-fulfilling prophecy and take your focus away from your ride.

4. Mistakes mean you’re on the right track.
You can’t improve, learn, overcome challenges, and level up without them.

5. It’s not what happened but how you move forward from it that matters the most.
Moving on from the mistake matters more than the mistake itself.

6. Mistakes are temporary.
Work to fix and put them in the past instead of dwelling and allowing them to stick around.

7. Mistakes don’t define you.
You may have had a bad ride, but that doesn’t mean you’re a bad rider.

8. Social media only shows highlights.
Everyone is struggling whether they post about it or not.

9. Perfect doesn’t exist.
It’s impossible to meet unattainable expectations.

A perfectionist mindset and a lack of an ability to accept mistakes will do much more harm than good for an athlete’s mental performance. Mistakes are a normal part of sport and life. Everyone makes mistakes no matter how talented of an athlete they may be. Since perfect doesn’t exist, holding yourself to an unrealistic standard will only set you up for disappointment every ride. Instead, give yourself permission to make mistakes, using them to your advantage by viewing them as valuable feedback and learning opportunities. Refer to this post whenever you begin to feel hard on yourself, and remember that you are not alone! 🏇🏽💭✨
www.mindalignperformance.com

11/24/2023

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🦃🦃

11/14/2023

10/30/2023

- When my instructor repeats to me: ′′Straighten your shoulders and open your chest!” He’s not just teaching me how to stand up. He's teaching me that in life we should always walk straight and face problems head on.

- When my instructor asks me to lower my legs and keep them close to the horse, he teaches me that in life we do not allow distractions and that little is enough to deviate from his path.

- When my instructor tells me "Too much hand, don't hang on to the reins! "He teaches me to give and not to take, with the greatest respect of others.

- When he yells and repeats endlessly: "Look forward in the direction you want to go!” He teaches me the importance of setting goals and never losing sight of them to achieve them.

- When I ask to move up or do more and my instructor says I'm not ready, he teaches me that in life you must always respect your rhythm and never skip the steps.

- When I fall and get back up, I learn that there are always setbacks, times when we back up, but the important thing is to get up more determined than before.

- If I hold my breath during a ride and he jokingly tells me "breathe! You are purple!” I understand that you have to let your emotions flow in order to get rid of them.

- When at the end of the course I am happy with the work done and my instructor says to me′ ′Well done, thank your teacher′′ I know he is not referring to himself but to my horse.

- Now you, you who are watching a rider pass in the saddle, keep saying that riding is not a sport because it is the horse that does everything. I agree. Horse riding is not a sport. It is a life lesson.

10/21/2023

It is incredibly easy to become burnt out. I think that every rider has questioned why he or she is pouring their heart and soul into this.

09/12/2023

WoSJ speaks with Ehning about the power of the basics and the importance of having horses in the right mental space – as well as about his concern that the younger generation is skipping a step.

08/29/2023

Love❤️❤️❤️, you two are the perfect pair. Congratulations! 🎉🥂🎉🥂🎉🥂

06/25/2023

I am beyond excited to congratulate Hilary Young Riffe on her purchase of Eos M. 🎉🥰🥂I can’t wait to see the places you two go! We are incredibly grateful to Trish Positive Step Schreiber for sending us this awesome horse and entrusting his future with us!

05/13/2023

Happy to join in training some familiar faces and meet some new ones at Captivate Farm.

04/04/2023

Lexington KOW
13 yr old Hanoverian Gelding
17.1
Sire: Landkoenig
Dam: Pandora MWF
This gentle giant is an in your pocket personality. He is a kick ride with more woah than go. Wonderful for a tall rider learning the ropes.
USEF # 517406
low-mid 5’s (3🥕,🥕🥕🥕)
Please message for more pictures/videos.

04/03/2023

“Where have you been with EHEQ?” got some cool shots in Cabo! Which one is your favorite?!

04/03/2023

❤️💪🏼❤️

04/01/2023

Alanna’s awesome pictures from Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica!

01/26/2023

https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2022/01/06/how-self-conscious-riders-can-feel-more-confident-riding-in-a-crowded-ring/?fbclid=IwAR1VeHOvuRdbLPE8xx8NV4KchwV0mN23SKhNuoLpPTwyf36p7I8vMXNgI-o&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

BY DIANA BEZDEDEANU I don’t like to ride in the arena with others (hence why I could never sign up for group lessons). I am self-conscious of my own abilities, constantly comparing my riding to those alongside me. However, as much as I try, I can not avoid people. Especially during the winter mo....

12/25/2022

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 🎄🥂🎄🥂

12/13/2022

Sound familiar? 🤔

BY LAUREN MAULDIN The adult amateur, regardless of geographical location, is typically skittish in the winter. Less sunlight, colder temperatures, and holiday stress make a trifecta that can result in some interesting behavior. While many trainers and horses recommend medicating your adult amateur,....