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Book Reviews Pressure Proof Your Riding; Stable Wisdom


always going well), entertaining drawings, and sidebar “Tips” throughout. You do not need to be a competition rider to find value in this book, just have a desire to be a more secure and focused rider. Now, I’m off to ride, armed with my “C” words – calm, confident, competent (see Chapter 5, “Brain Babble”).


Dianne Chapman McCleery is a writer and editor who rides with a natural horsemanship trainer in the Sierra Nevada foothills.


continued from pg 18


Charitable giving is also a very important element of EEM World’s Masters. The organization will announce a charity partner to benefit from the LA Masters later this year. Native Californian Richard Spooner is among the international riders who are very excited about the event. “I could not be prouder, being from California, to have the spectacular American Masters Grand Slam coming to LA. I am currently in Hong Kong participating in the Asian Masters Grand Slam, for the second time, and I am sure that it will again exceed my expectations. Great sport, entertainment and a Prestige Village featuring pop-up stores from some of the best brands in the world.”


Pressure Proof Your Riding Written by Daniel Stewart


Reviewed by Dianne Chapman McCleery Pressure Proof Your Riding is an equestrian sports psychology book. The rather long subtitle is “Mental Training Techniques: Gain Confidence and Get Motivated So You (and Your Horse) Achieve Peak Performance.” The author, Daniel Stewart, an internationally known trainer, instructor and sport psychology expert, says, “Our sport is unlike any other because of the incredibly meaningful relationship between horse and rider.” He also says, “Sure, we do what we love, but do we always love what we do?” Stewart has set out in this book to make sure the readers love every second they spend with their horses.


Sports psychology is what helps riders with that all important six inches between their ears, what helps “pressure proof” them, no matter what happens. Stewart notes, “The only thing predictable about horses is that they’re unpredictable.” Knowing what to do when the unpredictable happens (see “duck to the chest” explanation, page 5) is important for riders’ mental, emotional and physical well- being.


With chapter titles such as “Defense Mechanisms,” “Positive Mental Traits,” “Negative Mental Traits,” “Mental Imagery” and “Stress Management,” the reader is given plenty of tools and techniques to manage the stresses and challenges of riding. There’s homework to be done, too. One time reading through is not going to change negative habits into strong ones. Stewart adds to the end of each chapter a short quiz to see if the reader has “got it.” If not, the reader is instructed to re-read and delve deeper into what is being presented.


I especially like Chapter 10, “Don’t Ever Give Up:


Laugh, Learn and Love.” His final words are about treating ourselves to laughter, learning from what happens, and remembering that the love of horses is why we ride. Stewart says, “Always remember that one of your greatest responsibilities is to have fun and believe in yourself.” It’s the skills that keep riders believing in themselves that Stewart presents in this book.


I thoroughly enjoyed Pressure Proof Your Riding, which is good since I’ll be returning to it again and again. Stewart’s writing style is fluid and humorous. There are beautiful photographs (with events not


56 California Riding Magazine | March 2014 | www.ridingmagazine.com


“As an American rider I am very proud that such a high class sports event is finally coming to the US,” concurs another top rider, Reed Kessler. “I have been riding at the European Masters Grand Slam – the Gucci Paris Masters – since I was 16 and I hope that all American riders join me in LA for this spectacular competition.”


Additional information regarding ticketing and entertainment acts will be available in the coming months.


Top Sport in Stellar Showcase Created and organized by EEM World, the


Stable Wisdom Written by Shirley J. Potterton Reviewed by Lucy Bobek


“Every midlife woman has faced disaster, disappointment, and deep frustration, but every midlife woman also knows what it’s like to love so much you will not give up.” Stable Wisdom will delight lifelong horse folk and those who are rekindling their love of horses. Stable Wisdom weaves many stories of women in midlife, these are not fairy stories - many broken hearts are detailed along the way. Some disrespectful, and some downright dangerous horses will be found amongst tales of “sweetheart” horses. Pegge’s story involves an abused mare that severely injures her, and in-flight, ends up injuring herself. These stories are not easy to read, but the heart wrench is tempered by the women who persist. Funny stories of women who find out their


family’s secrets via their equine friends. To say much more would be a spoiler to your enjoyment of the book, but the story of the mule who would not move from the blackberry thicket is one I will always remember. If my mount refuses to “walk-on,” there may be a whole history of reasons why. The author covers many subjects, such as diet, exercise and emotional well-being. Keeping fit and healthy does not have to be a strict regimen. Potterton gives examples of studies and real-life cases of getting fitter and stronger and making it enjoyable. There are many reflections of childhood, so any age can enjoy this insightful and delightful book.


Potterton’s aim is for women to embrace the spirit of the horse, and in Stable Wisdom, she has accomplished her goal admirably: “Horse work before house work.” Lucy Bobek rides a rescued Quarter Horse, english-style.


Masters Grand Slam Indoor is a unique global event concept, inspired by tennis, and designed to bring equestrian show jumping to the forefront of the international sporting and social scenes.


Hosted in capital cities in Europe and Asia, the Masters Grand Slam are the most prestigious equestrian events of the indoor show jumping season and welcome between 30,000 and 50,000 spectators to witness spectacular sporting action and entertainment over three days of world-class competitions and shows. Each Masters brings together more than 25 of the best horse-rider combinations on the global Longines ranking list to compete for $1 million in prize money. With an unprecedented broadcast audience of more than 500 million households worldwide, the Masters are the most televised show jumping events in the world and offer unparalleled networking and social opportunities for worldwide elites, global institutions, luxury brands, celebrities and industry VIPs. We are proud to count as our long term and loyal partners prestigious brands such as Longines, Gucci, Dassault Falcon, Airbus Group, Veuve Clicquot and Land Rover who share our passion for the equestrian world.


Press release provided by EEM World. For more information visit www.mastersgrandslam.com.


Masters Grand Slam Indoor


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