The Mindful Rider: Dressage Training with Emily Jenkins

08/01/2024

Hi local equestrians!
I'm looking for a reasonably priced tack locker for a student. Needs to be no wider than 36".

07/07/2024

The company said it would eliminate all of its diversity, equity and inclusion roles and withdraw its goals for reducing carbon emissions.

06/29/2024

I realized this morning that my post yesterday wasn't getting the views it deserved because of the way I had included a link offsite (I'll add it to the comments, for those who wish to read the statement at the original source).

I am posting again because this means a lot to me, and I know it will mean a lot to my equestrian/farmer/agrarian friends.

I will no longer be supporting TSC in any way, and I urge my students and friends to consider their values and whether they wish to patron a company with such clearly bigoted, environmentally irresponsible and discriminated.

I am disgusted, and have very big feelings about this. Please share and get the word out.

06/28/2024

Friends!! Please read and consider. Tractor Supply Company has issued a public statement including the following:

"Going forward, we will ensure our activities and giving tie directly to our business. For instance, this means we will:

- No longer submit data to the Human Rights Campaign
- Refocus our Team Member Engagement Groups on mentoring, networking and supporting the business
- Further focus on rural America priorities including ag education, animal welfare, veteran causes and being a good neighbor and stop sponsoring nonbusiness activities like pride festivals and voting campaigns
- Eliminate DEI (Diversity, equity, and inclusion) roles and retire our current DEI goals while still ensuring a respectful environment
- Withdraw our carbon emission goals and focus on our land and water conservation efforts"

I will no longer be supporting TSC in any way, and I urge my students and friends to consider their values and whether they wish to patron a company with such clearly bigoted, environmentally irresponsible and discriminated.

I am disgusted, and have very big feelings about this. Please share and get the word out.

For more than 85 years, Tractor Supply has been focused on one thing…serving Life Out Here. Every day our 50,000 Team Members take care of our customers like family. We deeply value our relationship with our customers and the communities we call home. We are passionate about being good neighbors i...

06/19/2024

Welp. As some of you know, today was supposed to be Mira's big trip to MSU for diagnostics, since her gaits have been abnormal most of her life and we suspect she may have ECVM or something else affecting the use of her front limbs.
Unfortunately Mira had other plans, and refused to let us close her onto the trailer, so after multiple hours of trying, I decided to cancel and will reschedule our adventures to another day.
Huge thank you to Allison for helping me get her into the trailer several times, keeping the energy chill, and ultimately being willing to turn the whole experience into a training session rather than a hauling session.
If anyone can teach a gal to pivot, it's this little mare. We'll get there eventually, and when we do, hopefully we'll get some answers. ❤️

04/29/2024

Hi students! I sent out a spring newsletter this morning. Nothing major - just some updates!
Let me know if you didn't get it.

04/17/2024

I just wanted to post an update thanking each and every person who has contributed to and shared the GoFundMe that my amazing brother put together, as well as anyone who has reached out with condolences, well wishes!

Jeremy and I are both so overwhelmed by the support and love we've received. Thank you all so much - you're amazing! It's been a full week, at this point, and the police department has advised to just assume our truck and belongings are gone for good - which honestly isn't surprising.

For anyone still interested in contributing, feel free to check out the GoFundMe at: https://gofund.me/521d8230 We can also take donations via PayPal ([email protected]) or Venmo . Please don't feel obligated, though!

We're definitely hoping to be able to purchase a new truck asap, so if anyone hears of a good used one (f-150 equivalent or larger, with an extended or crew cab) please let us know!

My name is Benjamin, and I'm reaching out to you on behalf of my siste… Benjamin Jenkins Wesley needs your support for Urgent: Help Emily Get Back on the Road

04/15/2024

Hey all! A number of people have reached out privately about ways to contribute/donate toward our recovering from the recent theft of our truck and other belongs.
If you know me, you know I struggle to ask for help, but this has been a pretty monumental and challenging event to bounce back from! My incredible brother has set up a GoFundMe for us, which I have shared below; please don't feel obligated to donate and share, but also if it seems appropriate we'd be so grateful for any support at this time. ❤️

Additional ways to donate would be venmo and Paypal [email protected]

My name is Benjamin, and I'm reaching out to you on behalf of my siste… Benjamin Jenkins Wesley needs your support for Urgent: Help Emily Get Back on the Road

04/15/2024

It may be April, but it’s that time of year, students!

If you need summer lesson schedule changes, I need to know ASAP so I can accommodate them! I’m aiming to have my summer schedule finalized before the end of the month. Lesson slots are first come, first served. My program is currently 100% at capacity, so I will do what I can but may not be able to accommodate students who need to shift for the season.

Please remember that our lesson policies include a holding fee if you intend to take time off riding. Lesson policies are available on my website, or feel free to reach out if you’d like me to email you another copy!

03/31/2024

Hey equestrian friends! I'm in search of two used black snaffle dressage bridles with anatomical crown pieces and curved browbands. Doesn't have to be in great condition, I just have two schoolies going in older-styled straight-crowned bridles that I suspect would be more comfy in something a little better designed. Does anyone know of anything reasonably priced, or have anything used?

01/30/2024

01/22/2024

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you are doing just fine.

Stop beating yourself up for not riding when it’s freezing cold, pitch black and raining. It’s ok (and normal) to have no motivation at this time of year. It doesn’t make you a bad rider (or a bad owner).

Stop feeling guilty that your horse isn’t even nearly competition fit yet. Take your time and make your plan, who cares if you’re not ready for the first event? There’s a whole calendar to chose from.

Stop agonising over the fact you haven’t spent the whole winter training. Riders need a break and horses do to, you’ll probably find your horse comes back better than if they’d spent the whole winter being hammered in clinics and lessons anyway.

Stop comparing yourself to riders who have more facilities, more time or a totally different set of circumstances to you. Everyone is on their own track and has their own goals, so eyes ahead and focus on yours.

Stop telling yourself that your horse “deserves better” or is “wasted” with you. As long as your horse is fed and warm, they are quite happy, riding does not complete their life.

Winter is hard. It’s cold, it’s wet, it’s dark and it feels never ending and berating yourself for everything you aren’t doing or feel you should be doing won’t make it any easier, so cut yourself some slack and just take a breath.

You are doing just fine.

01/17/2024

01/05/2024

I currently have an opening for a WTC adult in my program!
More info in comments.
Inquire at: [email protected]