Cara Blanchard Training, Inc.

20/11/2024

All. The. Time. 💝

20/11/2024

“Contrary to popular opinion, quitting is for winners.

Knowing when to quit, change directions, leave a toxic situation, demand more from life, give up something that wasn’t working and move on, is a very important skill that people who win at life all seem to have.”

- Steven Bartlett

19/11/2024

💞

19/11/2024

What’s so wrong with being at your current skill level?

Most competitors have this notion that they should be at the top with the blue ribbon, the gold medal or on the podium.

You put in the hard work, so of course you expect to be winning.

What most people don't seem to understand is that it’s okay to be where you are. Learn to enjoy the journey.

An incredible transformation occurs with retraining your mind and taking control of your nerves. It takes the pressure off, and you will find that being okay with where you are actually makes you feel better.

What’s really cool: when you feel better, you perform better.

🌻 Cara

📸 Photos by Furey

18/11/2024

We must teach our children to feel the Earth, play in the rain, touch the wind, watch the sunrise and sunset, see things grow - and to care….

And let it remind us of what is important.

🌻 Cara

18/11/2024

“You need to hear this loud and clear: no one is coming. It’s up to you.” | Mel Robbins

I already have my goals mapped out for the next year. Do you?

Here’s the secret because no one, truly, is coming: go for it. Whatever it is that you’ve been dreaming about. Make. 👏It. 👏Happen.👏 Life is too freaking short. And no one who is TRULY in their own lane will be a neigh-sayer in your life. When you’re at peace, you lift others up. Those people you’re worried about talking bad about you or discouraging you, you’ve already passed them up. Don’t let go of YOUR dream because of other people, the time it will take or the work involved. Don’t get to the end of your life and say, “I wish I had…”

🌻 Cara

📸 Claudia Harris

17/11/2024

"There are moments in your life that make you and set the course of who you're going to be. Sometimes they're little, subtle moments. Sometimes they're big moments you never saw coming. No one asks for their life to change, but it does. It's what you do afterward that counts. That's when you find out who you really are..." - Unknown

📸 Sister

16/11/2024

This is good!

16/11/2024

A few weeks ago I was very randomly approached (via Instagram) by a horse related company to first try their product, but then I was quickly offered a job.

I turned it down, but I really believe in this company, what they stand for and their products, so it was quite an honor. I had the opportunity to try out the position for a day, so I thought, “why not?” It was a unique experience and I had the day off from teaching.

And do you know what I quickly learned?

I’m grateful I had the opportunity to give it a try, but also that my gut instinct won’t steer me wrong. By the time my trial day was over, I was mentally and emotionally exhausted, I missed my horses and my family had a rough day because of it.

I was reminded that I’m exactly where I need to be and where I’m supposed to be. I ADORE my students and their horses, I’m blessed with technology that lets me teach anywhere in the world and I don’t want to spend a day away from my little ones.

Follow your heart and do what’s right for you - your intuition will never steer you wrong.

Side note: today is the last day to get $20 off your first lesson. Use code LETSRIDE at check out on my scheduling site.

🌻 Cara

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

15/11/2024

An important reminder…🫶🏻

15/11/2024

“Don’t use your energy to worry. Use your energy to believe.” | Unknown

I struggle with those words, daily. I’m the one who takes care of everyone and everything. I’m the mom, the caregiver, the stall cleaner, the trainer, the one who answers to “hold me, Mommy.” And I’m still the one with my own big dreams, chasing my own goals, putting in the work, every day.

And those are THE important things - family, self care, goals, joy…

Mommas, don’t forget that it’s okay to say “no.” If it doesn’t serve you, your family or your vision, “no” is a perfectly valid answer. You can only do so much. Put your energy where you need to, for you and yours.

This is YOUR life. Live it YOUR way.

You’ve got this!

I believe in you!

🌻 Cara

📸 McKenna Wilkins

14/11/2024

This! And I have to add, if someone does the opposite and just tells you how wonderful you are, without you truly progressing and being taught anything. Or someone who uses gadgets or force - time to leave. You and your horse deserve respect and the opportunity to grow and feel accomplished…

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/186A7sFqcz/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Stop giving your money to trainers who talk down to you, and make you feel like sh*t 😫🙅‍♀️

I don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired of the trainer/client (trainer/student) dynamic that has been standardized and is continuing to the day to be accepted.

Why do we allow trainers to speak down to us?

Why is it okay for them to make us feel bad for making mistakes or being human?

Why are we accepting open ridicule, belittling, gaslighting, and worse from professionals we pay to teach us?

I can tell you I don’t accept it anymore. 🙅‍♀️

And you shouldn’t either!

If your trainer…

• makes you cry
• makes fun of you or your horse
• talks down to you
• makes disparaging remarks about you, your horse, or your riding
• talks about you behind your back
• yells at you
• throws things or in any way loses their temper around you or your horse
• or is in general unsupportive and negative

You need to be giving your hard earned money and precious time to someone else. No ifs ands or buts.

I don’t care how popular of a trainer they are, how many medals they’ve won, how fancy their horses are, or who says they are the “best”.

You and your horse deserve better. 🫵

14/11/2024

7 life lessons…

1. Hard times, pain and tough lessons will one day be your strength.
2. Don’t expect honestly from people who lie to themselves.
3. You’ll never be able to help someone who doesn’t see a problem with their actions.
4. Explain to those who care and are determined to understand you. Give silence to those who are determined to misunderstand you.
5. Your life is too short to be unhappy.
6. Don’t worry about what others think about you, most likely, they don’t think about you as often as you think they do.
7. Life is meant to be lived at the speed of nature. Slow down and enjoy the ride.

🌻 Cara

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

13/11/2024

Today is World Kindness Day! 🌎

Sounds like a good day for some horse hugs to me! 💞

Also, I just want to express my gratitude to you all for joining me here on this page. I appreciate each and every one of you for sharing in positivity and love for the horse.

Sending love, hugs and good ride vibes! 🫶🏻

🌻 Cara

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

13/11/2024

I have been out of the show ring for 2 years now - might be a record for me! I spent most of the last 2 years being pregnant and I finally had my [second] beautiful rainbow baby in September.

I’m excited to be back at the shows soon and I’m thrilled to help anyone who is prepping for the show ring, too. I’m available for coaching at shows, as well. I’m also ALWAYS happy to help those who are interested in building their relationship with their horse from the ground up, want their horse to feel their best in their body and need to work on their own confidence in the saddle. Whatever it is - we’ve got this!

I’m available here in Central Florida and remotely all over the world.

I’m looking forward to meeting new friends this coming season and seeing everyone crush their goals and have some fun!

Happy riding!

☀️ Cara

13/11/2024

This is so important…

12/11/2024

Yes! We don’t lunge to wear them down or out, it’s more of a “systems check” and time for mental connection…

https://www.facebook.com/share/19QWKmGpLa/?mibextid=WC7FNe

I had a client say to me once; "I don't lunge horses and I don't want one around that I have to."

I was like, well then you miss out on a lot of great horses that just need a bit of foreplay before you climb on and ride.

Blunt, but I think I made my point. 🤷

Lunging your uncomfortable, defensive or simply 'feeling bitchy horse,' before you ride them has absolutely nothing to do with whether they are a bronc or not. I often call it a systems check, or warming up their want to. And some horses need that extra attention paid to them, that gesture of respect and understanding, to smooth over the rough edges of their worry. To re-awaken their trust in even the most familiar situation or handler. It's kind of the equine version of, "Don't talk to me before I've had my coffee."

I've been training horses for a very long time, and the one thing I've learned is that my fragile human ego is not allowed to lay down any ground rules when it comes to vibing well with a multitude of equine partners. I have learned that it is easier on everyone, both horse and human, if I meet them where they are, not where I expect they should be. If that takes a few minutes of moving their feet around and settling their mind, then no harm, no foul.

Have a good day folks! 😊

Pictured below; Hombre, the horse that has most taught me the benefits of lunging...he really doesn't like to be spoken to before coffee! 😉

12/11/2024

I want to talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention...

The guilt of investing in YOU. Whether it be money, time, self care or something that brings you joy...

We are conditioned to always put others needs before our own.

What we need to realize is the COST of not taking care of ourselves far exceeds that of investing in us.

Everything from being irritable and tired or worse, getting run down and sick.

Lack of confidence and mental clarity...

The negative mental effects of not loving who you see in the mirror....

This list can go on and on.

Invest in YOU. Do what you need to do to feel happy and healthy. It is, hands down, the best decision you could ever make.

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography