26/ JUNE 2024 THE RIDER Confident Horsemanship:


hill battle. The mental, emotional, and physical feelings that come with fear can be overwhelming. In extreme cases, just the thought of riding can result in strong anxiety that feels impossible to over- come.


Does this sound familiar: just the


By Anne Gage, The Horse Riding Con- fidence Coach


Overcoming deep-seated horse rid- ing fear can feel like an unwinnable, up-


idea of getting on a horse has your stom- ach in knots, your heart racing, and your mind swirling with “what-if” negative thoughts. It’s a horribly scary feeling that can take over your whole body - creating tension and the inability to think clearly. This is what a deep-seated fear feels like. And, it seems that it’s al- ways there, lurking in the background, ready to appear at any moment. For many adult riders, horse riding


fears can develop from different reasons. Often, it’s caused by a scary past expe- rience or a riding related injury. But it can also be caused by feeling unsure of


3 Steps to Overcoming Horse Riding Fears


your abilities, just not knowing what to expect, or knowing that you can’t afford to get injured. Fear can show up in lots of ways, from nerves that create tension to panic attacks that leave you frozen and even in tears. But here’s an important part to un-


derstand: even though it can feel like fear has complete control, there is pos- sible to break free from its grip.


Step One: Acknowledge that it is okay to feel scared and understand that you are not alone in feeling this way. Talking to someone you trust - such as a support- ive friend or an empathetic coach - can help make the fear feel a little less over- whelming.


Step Two: Take small steps to address the fear. For some riders, that could begin with spending time with your


horse without riding him. Getting to know your horse’s nature and under- standing his behaviour and communica- tion from the ground helps to increase your trust and connection with each other. Once you feel more comfortable, start with short rides or even just sitting on your horse without going anywhere.


Step Three: Gradually extend your comfort zone. If you feel okay sitting on your horse, the next step would be to walk a few steps or a small circle or around the arena. The key is to create a positive experience without overwhelm- ing yourself. That takes as long as it takes and needs to be at a pace that is just right for you.


Overcoming fear is a journey with


ups and downs, forward steps and set- backs. That journey is easier with the


Erynn Ballard a 5* Runner-Up No More Erynn Ballard (CAN), a


new member of the MLSJ Road- runners, checked winning a five- star off her bucket list in the $340,000 Cabana Coast 5* Grand Prix during Leg 1 of the 2024 Major League Show Jump- ing season in Vancouver, BC. Aboard her Olympic hope-


ful Nikka vd Bisschop, an 11- year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Havanna vd Bisschop x Nabab de Reve), Ballard got a sneak peek at what to expect from the Paris games from course designer Gregory Bodo


(FRA) and bested a seven-horse jump-off in 41.49 seconds. After the first five-star win


of her career, Ballard said, “At 1.60m, it’s hard to go fast on any horse and be accurate, careful and have your timing [right], but to do that on a horse you don’t know is a different level. She’s the kind of horse that is right there with you.” Nikka, owned by Tara


Dow-Rein and the Rein Family, joined Ballard’s string just a cou- ple months ago with expectations soaring.


Ride More, Worry Less And Enjoy Every Ride! Let’s get you feeling more confident today!


519-940-6050 • anne@confidenthorsemanship.com www.rideconfident.com


LongRun’s TB


Star of June Machisima is a


gorgeous 7 yr old mare looking for her forever


home! Although small in stature, she is very


athletic, and can go in pretty much any


direction! She is green, but willing to learn and will be a great project for someone to bring along. If you're


interested in meeting Machisima,


please contact LongRun!


five-star, the win also granted her a Certifi- cate of Competency for the Paris Olympic Games. That requires recording a score of 8 faults or less in a designated Olympic quali- fying event at 1.60m. “Heading toward the last two jumps [in the first round], I thought, ‘The good news


(USA) and Frieda finished second in 42.35 seconds, while Egypt’s Nayel Nassar piloted Igor van de Wittemoere to third. Nassar had Ballard’s time beat (41.12 seconds) but pulled a rail to drop to the bottom of the podium. Not only did Ballard claim her first


Rounding out the podium, Grant Seger


is, even if I knock these down, I’ll still get my certificate,’” said Ballard. “Maybe that was the wrong thought to have cantering to the last jump, but it was also a sense of re- lief.


“I have been a part of Major League


since the beginning, and I love that it takes us to all these places. There are so many things I’m going to take away from this,” Ballard continued. “I’m never going to for- get this day.”


Unveiling the New Look: Equestrian Fashion Outfitters


Redefines Online Shopping Experience As the equestrian com-


munity eagerly anticipates the upcoming show season, riders and enthusiasts alike are preparing to step into the arena with style and confi- dence. What better way to elevate


your riding


wardrobe than with the lat- est offerings from Eques- trian Fashion Outfitters? “At Equestrian Fashion


Outfitters, we’re thrilled to unveil our newly redesigned website, offering riders a seamless and immersive on- line shopping experience like never before, Says Helen Curtain. With a fresh, modern look and enhanced functionality, the revamped website is designed to make finding your perfect eques- trian ensemble easier and more enjoyable than ever. Enhanced search tools in- cluding searching by size, colour and brand. make finding your wish list very easy.


But that’s not all. Call (416) 675-3993 ext 3440 www.longrunretirement.com • info@longrunretirement.com


“We’re also excited to an- nounce that we now carry Kastel Denmark, a beloved brand known for its high- quality equestrian apparel that seamlessly blends per- formance and style. Kastel


right support and guidance. Working with an empathetic riding or mindset coach who can guide you and help you build both the mental and physical skills you need to feel secure in the saddle and connected with your horse will make your journey smoother and more enjoy- able.


Author Bio: Anne Gage, The Horse Riding Confidence Coach, shares advice and tips for horse riding women of a certain age. From managing riding nerves and anxiety, understanding your horse's behaviour, building a deeper partnership with your horse, and more. Whether you're a lifelong horse rider, just coming back to riding after time off, or just starting out, learn more at www.rideconfident.com


Denmark offers riders a range of chic and sophisti- cated options that are sure to turn heads in the arena” says Curtain. “As riders ourselves,


we understand the impor- tance of both fashion and function when it comes to equestrian apparel.” She goes on to say “That’s why we’ve curated a collection of premium brands and styl- ish pieces that are not only on-trend but also built to withstand the rigours of the ring.” Whether you’re com- peting in dressage, show jumping, or simply enjoying a leisurely ride, Equestrian Fashion Outfitters has everything you need to look and feel your best in the sad- dle.


Their commitment to


doesn’t stop there. They are dedicated to providing rid- ers with expert advice, help- ful tips, and inspiration to help them make the most of their time in the saddle. From outfit ideas to groom- ing tips, their blog is a valu- able resource for riders of all levels looking to elevate their equestrian style and performance. So why wait? Discover


the new look of online shop- ping with Equestrian Fash- ion Outfitters and elevate your riding wardrobe today. Whether you are gearing up for the show season or sim- ply updating your everyday essentials, they’ve got you covered with the latest trends and must-have pieces for every rider. Visit www.equestrian-


the equestrian community fashionoutfitters.com


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