The Mindful Equestrian

The Mindful Equestrian Performance coaching for equestrians wanting to achieve more positive results in all aspects of the Hunter/Jumper lessons and clinics.
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Mindfulness is the practice of being present in every moment, not worrying about what was or what might be. A mindful rider is able to focus on what is happening right now with themselves and their horse, maintaining low stress and a higher ability for top performance. My clinics combine my 35+ years of experience in the hunter/jumper industry (AHSA/USEF, IHSA, Equine Science Professor Hunt Seat M

orrisville State College), mindfulness training and coach training and certification (International Coach Academy) to give riders strategies and tools for better mental focus and riding success. Each rider is considered individually and supported with the tools that will work best for them. The benefits from the performance coaching can also be carried into day to day life since we mirror the same issues in our riding that we do in other areas of our lives. Mindfulness then becomes a whole life practice and success tool. Performance coaching for riders of all disciplines who want more a positive experience whenever riding and competing. Group seminars available as well as private phone coaching sessions. Add a performance coaching seminar to your riding clinic. Over 35 years experience training hunters/jumpers and students.

This quote reminds us that within ourselves lie untapped reservoirs of strength and resilience. When we practice mindful...
08/29/2024

This quote reminds us that within ourselves lie untapped reservoirs of strength and resilience. When we practice mindfulness, we unlock these hidden treasures, allowing us to navigate through tough times with courage and determination. It's incredible how our own inner resources can surprise us when we approach life's challenges with a mindful perspective.

As a coach, I've witnessed how mindfulness empowers my clients, particularly equestrians, to face obstacles head-on and thrive in their riding journey. Embracing mindfulness opens the door to self-discovery and self-belief, revealing the true depth of our abilities.

So, remember, whenever you encounter challenges, harness the power of mindfulness to connect with your inner strength, unlocking the extraordinary potential that lies within you.

We all strive to be more confident in whatever we do. But before you can boost your confidence, it's essential to identi...
08/28/2024

We all strive to be more confident in whatever we do. But before you can boost your confidence, it's essential to identify what's holding you back.

Until you understand the obstacles to your confidence, you can't effectively overcome them. A lack of confidence can stem from various beliefs and perspectives. For instance, a perfectionist might struggle because they feel the need for everything to be flawless. Another person might lack confidence due to a fear of judgment, feeling inadequate in the eyes of others. And then there's the negative thinker who can't see positive outcomes.

These are just a few examples of confidence roadblocks. To grow your confidence, you need to reshape your beliefs. For the perfectionist, that could mean learning from mistakes and letting go of the idea of perfection. Someone grappling with judgment can focus on their skills and attributes, realizing they're more than enough. And for the pessimist, finding positive possibilities and developing a more optimistic outlook can be transformative.

Building confidence requires introspection to uncover what's really going on beneath the surface. Each person's path to confidence is unique. Once you identify what's blocking your confidence, you can develop strategies to overcome those barriers. It might take time and effort, but the journey is worth it!

A wonderful method to soothe an anxious mind involves spending quiet moments in nature. While riders engage with horses ...
08/27/2024

A wonderful method to soothe an anxious mind involves spending quiet moments in nature. While riders engage with horses in natural settings, they often become entangled in their fears, stressors, and concerns, losing touch with the natural world they're surrounded by. Taking a pause to fully immerse in nature can be incredibly beneficial. This practice extends to all aspects of life. Try dedicating 5-10 minutes before riding to step outside your barn and embrace the surrounding nature. Engage all your senses. As you wander through the barn, feel the hay's texture and inhale its rich scent. During grooming, be profoundly present, connecting with the tactile sensations, scents, visuals, and sounds that unfold. Then, during your ride, pay attention to any shifts in your feelings of fear and stress. You might find them significantly reduced. Give it a shot and share your experiences with me!

Chasing after perfection is a fruitless task! It's impossible to achieve. It is a great thing to always strive to do you...
08/26/2024

Chasing after perfection is a fruitless task! It's impossible to achieve. It is a great thing to always strive to do your best. Some days your best is not as good as others. That is okay. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and learn from them. That is how you grow and get better at whatever you are trying to achieve.

Be thoughtful about what you choose to think about and consume in regards to media of any kind. Choose wisely and you wi...
08/25/2024

Be thoughtful about what you choose to think about and consume in regards to media of any kind. Choose wisely and you will be amazed at the difference it makes!

Itโ€™s a common occurrence for riders to work on fixing more than one thing at a time in their riding. Though it is an hon...
08/24/2024

Itโ€™s a common occurrence for riders to work on fixing more than one thing at a time in their riding. Though it is an honorable thing to work hard to try and correct many things, this method of training is often a path to discouragement and frustration. Does this sound familiar? Do you have a laundry list of things that you want to fix with your riding or with your horseโ€™s training? Do you feel like no matter how hard you try you keep spinning your wheels and feel it hard to stay focused and move forward? Well, you are not alone, as this is a common occurrence in riding and in life.

The messages we regularly get from society today is that we should do more and put more tasks on our plate in order to be successful. But that is not good advice as our brains can only efficiently handle one thing at a time. When we try to fix, accomplish, or improve more than one thing at a time our brains lose focus through shifting back and forth between each task.
Our brains do automate things so that we can subconsciously multitask, but when we consciously are trying to learn something new, do a complicated task or create some change our brains do best with focusing on one thing at a time.
When you ride it is best to decide what is the most important, foundational thing you need to change, learn, or accomplish and work on that first. Once that becomes a habit and is automated then you can focus on something new. You can also choose to focus on one thing in one session and then focus on something else in the next, as long as you donโ€™t try and focus on both at once.
You will be surprised at how much faster you can improve and how much less frustration and discouragement you will feel. Talk to your trainer to help you plan and ask them to keep things focused on improving one thing at a time. Give it a try! Let me know how it goes!

If you are feeling stuck and are looking towards a new path, consider shifting your perspective. Look at things differen...
08/23/2024

If you are feeling stuck and are looking towards a new path, consider shifting your perspective. Look at things differently and open your mind to new ideas and possibilities. You will be surprised at the new opportunism you will see!

It's so easy to dwell on the future and make up stories that most often don't happen. Our minds and bodies feel the stre...
08/22/2024

It's so easy to dwell on the future and make up stories that most often don't happen. Our minds and bodies feel the stress of those stories as if they really happened It's also easy to dwell on the past and fill your mind up with what if's. Even in the toughest of situations is so important to stay in the present and focus on what you can control. Staying present gives you the strength to work on the tough stuff that is within your control and the peace of mind that comes with letting go of the worries and stories. It takes work to learn to stay present, but it can be done. As your coach, I can help you work on a mindfulness practice and find the tools and skills to learn to live a life in the present. Contact me at lisa@mindfulequestrian to learn more.

Do you tend to have a negative outlook? Shift your perspective to an an enthusiastic and positive outlook and energize y...
08/21/2024

Do you tend to have a negative outlook? Shift your perspective to an an enthusiastic and positive outlook and energize your life!

When I conduct clinics, I often encounter riders who are struggling to get their new horse to trot or canter correctly. ...
08/20/2024

When I conduct clinics, I often encounter riders who are struggling to get their new horse to trot or canter correctly. They may feel like the horse is pulling too hard or going too fast, or the trot or canter just doesn't feel comfortable. However, most of the time the issue has nothing to do with the horse itself. Instead, the rider may be trying to make the horse move like the previous horse they rode, even though this new horse has its own unique way of moving.

For example, if the rider is used to a horse with a smaller stride and is now riding a horse with a larger, more athletic stride, they may feel uncomfortable with the new horse's way of going. However, it's important to remember that each horse is unique and has its own way of moving. As a rider, you need to be flexible and adapt your riding to the horse you are on, rather than trying to make the horse conform to your expectations.

Of course, you can still work on training, strengthening, and balancing the horse's way of going, but you need to start where the horse is at. Don't expect a bigger horse to comfortably have the small stride of a lesson horse, for example. While there are standards in riding and training, you need to be willing to adjust and treat each horse as an individual. So, ride the trot/canter the horse has, not the trot/canter you want it to have.

08/20/2024

Join me for a candid discussion on staying true to yourself in the equestrian world. I'll discuss how to learn from others while developing your own unique style, and tackle the challenge of imposter syndrome. Discover how embracing your authenticity can elevate your riding and your confidence. Let's celebrate what makes each of us unique in our equestrian pursuits!

In order to grow, improve and find success you will have to make lots of mistakes, get bumps and bruises and deal with s...
08/19/2024

In order to grow, improve and find success you will have to make lots of mistakes, get bumps and bruises and deal with stress and pressure along the way. It's well worth all the work and effort.

08/18/2024

Don't worry about being just like others and being part of "the pack." Of course, watch others and learn from them, but then go out practice what you have learned and make it your own. Strive to be unique. Be YOU!

08/18/2024

Great day as always judging at Galemont Farm LLC. Great horse and riders! Of course I forgot to take pictures!๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿด๐Ÿฆ„

Are you someone who tends to focus on what is negative in your riding and life? Focusing on what is negative is due in p...
08/17/2024

Are you someone who tends to focus on what is negative in your riding and life? Focusing on what is negative is due in part to the brainโ€™s negative bias. The brain is on alert to look for negative things (danger) just like it did for our ancestors. But we donโ€™t need to be on that same high alert like our ancestors did. One way to change this negative mindset is to first become aware of it and see when and where it shows up the most.
Once you see it happening you can shift your focus to what is positive about the situation you are in. Help your brain recognize and save more positive moments and results by spending time thinking about them. It will help you build on what is working and help you feel empowered by success. This positive focus allows for growth through embracing and learning from mistakes and using an open mind to explore possibilities.

If you are a trainer ask your riders to tell you what went well in a ride first before you begin to discuss what needs to be improved. A rider may be surprised by this when you ask it for the first time as their brain is already thinking about what went wrong. But once they come up with the positive focus they will begin to feel empowered by this shift in perspective. It is a very freeing way of thinking. They will begin to be less judgmental about their riding and become more calm and thoughtful. When you are riding ask yourself the same question about what is going well first and see what a positive shift this can make for you!

How often do we find ourselves tangled in the opinions and judgments of others? Their words, whether well-intentioned or...
08/16/2024

How often do we find ourselves tangled in the opinions and judgments of others? Their words, whether well-intentioned or not, can shape our thoughts and hold us back from our true potential. But with mindfulness, we can regain control and stay firmly grounded in our journey.

A mindful practice teaches us to focus on the present moment, to connect with our authentic selves, and to listen to our inner voice above the noise of external influences. It's a powerful reminder to reassess where we invest our time and energy, ensuring that it aligns with our dreams and aspirations.

When you walk through life mindfully, you break free from the path that others might impose on you. Instead, you carve your unique journey, one that is guided by your passion and belief in yourself. It's a journey that leads you towards your destiny, away from negative sources, and towards the light of your dreams.

As an equestrian coach, I encourage my riders to nurture this self-belief and authenticity. Embrace your individuality and let it shine through in your riding and in your life. Don't be afraid to let go of what holds you back and surround yourself with positivity and encouragement.

If you have habits that are not serving you and you keep doing them you will struggle to create change. So look at the h...
08/15/2024

If you have habits that are not serving you and you keep doing them you will struggle to create change. So look at the habits that don't serve you well and put a plan in place to create new habits that will help you to change and grow. Then practice them regularly.

Remember you are not perfect and you will make many mistakes. Connect to the things that go well first and learn from th...
08/14/2024

Remember you are not perfect and you will make many mistakes. Connect to the things that go well first and learn from them and celebrate them and then look at your mistakes as wonderful opportunities to learn and grow.

Today I had a blast teaching a clinic at Galemont Farm LLC ! What a beautiful day and great group of riders and horses! ...
08/14/2024

Today I had a blast teaching a clinic at Galemont Farm LLC ! What a beautiful day and great group of riders and horses! As always everyone was so welcoming and it is always wonderful to go there and catch up with old friends! Thanks Christa and Brenda for inviting me and for having it so well organized! Thanks Amber for helping me out! You are lucky to be working at such a great place!

I have some spots open in the fall for clinics if you would like to schedule a date. Email me at [email protected] to learn more!

Creating goals can be an important process to planning and improving as you are on your riding journey. But often goals ...
08/13/2024

Creating goals can be an important process to planning and improving as you are on your riding journey. But often goals can get so big that they become overwhelming and riders get discouraged . The goal seems so far off and almost impossible to achieve. In striving to reach the big goal many small steps, wins and successes are missed or ignored. It's easy to fall into the trap of not acknowledging and celebrating the small steps and progress that is being made on the way to this big goal. When these small steps are ignored progress can slow and often stop. It is important to stay in the moment and notice the small wins along the way. As you focus on these they will grow and come together to become big wins and you keep getting closer to your goal. Remember to have fun and enjoy the journey!

Take a chance and go out and do that thing you always wanted to do no matter how well you think you may be at doing it. ...
08/12/2024

Take a chance and go out and do that thing you always wanted to do no matter how well you think you may be at doing it. Take action and give it a try. Start from where you are and learn and grow and enjoy the experience!

Just back from a fantastic weekend teaching a clinic on Friday and judging Saturday and Sunday at the Erie Hunt and Sadd...
08/12/2024

Just back from a fantastic weekend teaching a clinic on Friday and judging Saturday and Sunday at the Erie Hunt and Saddle Club ! It started with some rain on Friday that worried us as to whether we could do the clinic, but other than on shorten session, Mother Nature decided to let the rain stop. Then the weekend felt like fall with cooler temps and wind but everything went so well. A long day yesterday ended with a fun Derby under the lights! I got some pictures of the show but forgot to do any for the clinic. A great group of riders and horses! Saw old friends and made new! Thanks Lindsay for inviting me! You and your mom run a wonderful show and should be very proud of all you do!!!โค๏ธ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿฆ„

When you open your mind to learning from lofe, mistakes and whateever comes your way change is inevitable. Learning lead...
08/11/2024

When you open your mind to learning from lofe, mistakes and whateever comes your way change is inevitable. Learning leads to growth and growth is change.

Ever find yourself stuck in the 'comparison loop,' wishing you had what someone else has? It could be their body type, t...
08/10/2024

Ever find yourself stuck in the 'comparison loop,' wishing you had what someone else has? It could be their body type, their early start in riding, their money, or even their horse. But here's the dealโ€”when you're caught up in comparing, you overlook your own unique qualities and opportunities.

Maybe you didn't start riding until you were an adult. So what? The wisdom you bring now can actually deepen your riding experience. And sure, someone might have a fancy horse or loads of money, but that's no guarantee of happiness. Plus, chances are, they've got their own internal battles and insecurities.

So here's your action plan: focus on being the best 'you.' Take some time to jot down your strengths and the positives you bring to the table, in riding and in life. Ditch the time wasted on worrying about others, and work on improving yourself. If you must compare, compare yourself to your past self and build from there. Give yourself the kindness, awareness, and growth you deserve. Silence those mental gremlins and be your own cheerleader!

Let go of the past and your regrets. Get unstuck and move forward and grow.
08/09/2024

Let go of the past and your regrets. Get unstuck and move forward and grow.

If you want things to improve it takes hard work and an open mind to change the status quo. It won't happend by just wis...
08/08/2024

If you want things to improve it takes hard work and an open mind to change the status quo. It won't happend by just wishing for it!

We all can have those moments of negativity when we just think nothing is working out and the future looks bleak. But it...
08/07/2024

We all can have those moments of negativity when we just think nothing is working out and the future looks bleak. But it's important to remember that in those moments we must be self-aware and not let our minds spin out of control in a negative loop. Pause, self-reflect, take notice and then choose to look for ways to create a positive outlook and change the path you are on.

08/07/2024

I'm excited to introduce The Mindful Equestrian Talks, a new interview series where we explore the experiences, challenges, and insights of equestrians from all walks of life.
In the first episode, I sit down with Abby Stearns, a former student of mine and coaching cient who has found success in the hunter show world. Abby manages for a top amateur rider, dividing her time between Wellington and Virginia.
Join us as Abby shares her journey from collegiate riding to the high-stakes environment of competitive hunter shows. She offers valuable insights into the realities of working in the horse industry and tips for aspiring equestrians.
Whether you're a seasoned equestrian or just starting your journey, there's something here for everyone. Watch now and let me know what you think!

The core purpose of a solid riding position isn't just about looking good in the saddle; it's about creating a dynamic b...
08/06/2024

The core purpose of a solid riding position isn't just about looking good in the saddle; it's about creating a dynamic balance between you and your horse. Think of it as one of the three pillars of the Unleashed Equestrian modelโ€”a balanced, secure, yet fluid position enables you to stay connected with your horse without interfering with its movement. This isn't just a 'nice-to-have'; it's essential for effective communication and partnership with your horse.

When you're rigid or 'tight' in the saddle, you create tension that your horse will undoubtedly pick up on. This can lead to a range of issues like a horse that either speeds up out of nervousness or shuts down and becomes unresponsive. Tight muscles limit your ability to 'feel,' effectively cutting off a crucial line of communication with your horse.

So, the next time you find yourself overly focusing on your position, remember: it's not just about you. It's about achieving a level of connection and understanding with your horse that allows for seamless communication and mutual respect. Your position should be the platform for constant give-and-take, a dynamic interplay that enhances your rides and enriches your overall equestrian experience.

Change can be scary and it does take work but the benifits of getting out of a stuck place and moving forward in growth ...
08/05/2024

Change can be scary and it does take work but the benifits of getting out of a stuck place and moving forward in growth is so worth the effort!

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