BridgeUp Giddy Up

02/21/2024

It’s one thing to take a field trip to learn about the immense number of paths taken to reach the ultimate goal of achieving a dream career, but it’s another thing altogether to be invited to an incredible institution of our nation and be invited to tell about ourselves!!!

It might seem trite with all the challenges that the world faces today to travel away from our farm to tell those who have never witnessed our sport at all why it matters, how we persevere in challenging times, and what it is that we get out of our experiences together, but it matters a whole lot to us, just as much as it matters to these agents and their incredible support staff to tell about their passion in their work to stop gun violence in our city and nationwide. It matters a lot.

02/21/2024

Who says an equestrian education is only about horses? Nobody! Today we had the most enlightening experience to learn about another incredible human-animal partnership…

Meet PIPER, one of only 40 explosive sniffing dogs in the ATF! She is INCREDIBLE, able to identify up to 19,000 combinations of explosive materials & the happiest yellow dog you’ll ever meet! What a TREAT!

Todays visit to the ATF field office in Memphis was an incredible honor in many ways, but one of the most powerful takeaways in witnessing the power of an animal-human interaction like this one with Piper & her handler was a reminder of how lucky we are to get to work in harmony with horses everyday, and how much animals teach us about perseverance & perspective.

02/18/2024

From everyday trainings at home to every opportunity in competition, how important are the following to an individual equestrian and to the international ecosystem of equestrian sport?

1. Equestrian Education
2. Equine Ethics
3. Engagement of the greater community

In our view, they are all equally important for the development of continuation of excellence in horsemanship for humanity as a whole & the individual’s ability to continue this pursuit for an entire lifetime while positively affecting every ecosystem they contact— in the saddle, in the stable, or in the surroundings of their local, regional, national & global communities.

Without all of these measures of excellence as an equestrian, elitism & terrible ethics in sport, business, and personal relationships will@continue to be what equestrianism is known for worldwide— and that will not happen on our watch.

02/18/2024

02/18/2024

We are ONE.

02/17/2024

02/17/2024

Horses carry us on their backs to reach our wildest dreams…

“The Night Horse rides you on his back
& listens to your dreams.
He takes you anywhere you want,
he helps you plan & scheme.
For where your heart can take you,
there’s no limit from the start.
The Night Horse knows your wildest dreams,
& helps you learn your art.”

- Coach Mac, from The Night Horse

02/16/2024

Do what you do because you can’t not do it.

02/16/2024

Coach Mac’s article can be found (published February 15th)! Huge thanks to for the opportunity to discuss why modern riders are so often lacking the basic building blocks for a sound foundation & long term success in the saddle and in the sport!

It’s one thing to write about solutions, but it’s another thing all together to be gifted the opportunity to illustrate that simplicity and standards don’t just sound good in theory, they are proven in practice. riders and their horses illustrate beautiful riding and a beautiful outlook on the equestrian experience through simplicity every single day.

When governing bodies refuse to take measures to protect horses from poor riding, riders from poor coaching, or the sport in general from being cancelled due to any semblance of social license to operate— the onus for action falls to those who care about creating an alternative path to success rather than simply feeding the monster of the machine created by pay-to-play sport. Those who care are out there and together we are all making a difference.

Link to full article in bio!

02/15/2024

Written By: Coach Mac

BY McKrell Baier Here Are Some Steps for Warming Up to the Idea! When the question is posed, “why are our modern riders so lacking in the basics,” some will point to a lack of horsemanship, or grit and grind, or time spent in the stable rather than solely in the saddle. While all of the above [....

02/15/2024

Learning the skills to learn who we really are & what we really want— what WE want— not what others want for us is one of the most valuable lessons which can ever be taught, and there is no one we no better to lead this journey through education & career choices than our very own, Dr.G, a long-time champion of the children & most importantly, a kid at heart, herself❣️

02/15/2024

Our voices matter. Our experiences matter. At the end of the day, the most we have to offer others is the wisdom gained from our own life experience and the voice strong enough to tell our story. Practice both gaining wisdom & telling your story out loud— this is the way we change our world❣️

02/15/2024

Dr.G’s Overcoming Obstacles ongoing opportunities for workshopping are really working to get our entire team opening up about our dreams & how to find our flow to deliver us to them! Equestrian opportunities are only as good for the human and the horse as they are actively embodying a culture of awareness & growth. We think Dr.G should take this course on the road to every riding school in the world— that’s how much positive impact her work is having here !!!

02/14/2024

The issues that have plagued our American equestrians since horse shows became a pay-to-play sport are not only avoidable, but simple to overcome. Simple does not mean easy, but it can be done. It is being done. The proof is found in the students and the validation is seen in the horses.

02/14/2024

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02/14/2024

So many potential pitfalls & potholes are avoided when riding is taught through a systematic approach. Standardization of necessary skills & progression through time tested process matter for an equestrian in both training & competition. They also matter for the future of horse sport.

02/10/2024

Keep movin! Memphis is magic & so is the GiddyUP team❣️

02/09/2024

Coach Mac had the chance to visit with the new Director of Memphis Youth Services & his program director to begin the process of collaboration with the great City of Memphis— a completing the circle moment from the inception of the Urban Equestrian Program many moons ago! What a joy to be surprised by a hug from fellow youth coach an avid supporter. When we support each others’ dreams, our own become magnified!

📸 🤎❤️💫✨〽️

02/08/2024

Made to shine!

02/07/2024

of the stable.

📸Coach Maddie

02/07/2024

It takes a village, and that we have!!!

02/04/2024

Being reflective is the way to overcome every hurdle you ever imagined was in your way!

📸Coach Carol

02/04/2024

Challenge yourself in every aspect of your existence!

📸Coach Carol

02/04/2024

Time in the Tiger Den is never time wasted!!!

📸Coach Carol

02/04/2024

GrowingUP on horses, grows us up quite tall!

02/04/2024

Winners start here.

📸Coach Carol

02/04/2024

Next generation UP!

📸Coach Carol