26/ SEPTEMBER 2023 THE RIDER Confident Horsemanship: Restarting Riding As An Adult And that recognition can cause


mixed emotions about riding. You might be excited and at the same time feel nervous, sick with worry, or even panic stricken. That’s perfectly nor- mal.


The good news is there are a lot


of ways to help yourself overcome that fear This article provides insights and


tips to help you enjoy getting back in the saddle.


By Anne Gage, The Horse Riding Confidence Coach


Getting back to riding after a long


gap can be intimidating. While there are many benefits to riding, you’ll find that you’re not the same as your younger self either mentally or physi- cally.


Wesley Clover


Continued from page 25


beat Conor because I’ve been second and third to him in the last 10 classes so I’m happy to finally beat him today!” Of her first visit to Ot-


tawa and Wesley Clover Parks, Derbyshire noted, “The facility is beautiful, and one restaurant is better than the other; we are eating our way right through town! There are very few grass fields nowadays to get to jump on, and this one is beautiful. The horses have jumped great all week and we’re grateful to be here.” The $270,000 CSI5*


Major League Show Jump- ing Team event closed out Saturday’s show jumping action. Eight teams took to the grass field for the fun- filled yet fiercely competi- tive class with four – Eye Candy, Helios, Roadrun- ners, and Trailbrazers – ad- vancing to the second


1. Allow yourself to experience what- ever feelings you’re having .It’s nor- mal to have some anxiety about riding again, especially if you’ve been away for several years. Be patient and kind with yourself.


2. Your fitness and skills may have de- creased since you last rode. Set your goals and expectations based on an honest evaluation of where you cur- rently are. Start with achievable objec-


tives, Like improving balance, core strength, suppleness and posture, and developing a deep connection with your horse. Focus on the basics first to establish a good foundation.


3. Take lessons with an instructor who is experienced teaching adult riders. Someone who will honestly assess your current skill level, identify areas that need improvement, and help you achieve your short and long term goals.


4. Safety is always a priority when re- turning to horse riding. Invest is riding gear, equipment and tack that is iin good condition and fits correctly. Re- place your helmet if it is more than 5 years old or has not been stored in a cool, dry place.


5. It’s natural but unrealistic to want to pick up where you left off. Be pa- tient with yourself and your horse, and


celebrate even the tiniest wins. Every ride is an opportunity to connect with your horse as you improve skills. Mis- takes will happen. Focusin on making progress, rather than aiming for per- fection, makes the journey more en- joyable for both you and your horse.


6. Riding is an athletic activity that re- quires a certain level of fitness. Focus on off-horse exercising that improves core strength, flexibility, and balance. Exercises like yoga, Pilates, and tai chi integrate movement, breathing ex- ercises and meditation that enhance your physical and mental health and self-awareness. They can help im- prove your riding posture, stability, and overall fitness.


7. If you feel nervous about riding, have an honest conversation with your instructor so they can support and en- courage you. Talking with an under- standing friend can also be helpful. If


anxiety is really holding you back from enjoying riding or affecting your performance,consider getting help from a specialist in mindset. They can teach you strategies to manage stress, nerves or the pressure you’re feeling about riding. Hypnosis is also an ef- fective technique for eliminating these types of inappropriate fears.


Author Bio: Anne Gage, The Horse Riding Confidence Coach, shares ad- vice and tips for horse riding women of a certain age. From managing rid- ing 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


Daniel Coyle riding Ivory TCS clinched victory for the Roadrunners in the $270,000 Major League Show Jumping Ottawa Team competition on Saturday, August 26, at Wesley Clover Parks. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography


round. From there, Eye Candy and Roadrunners ad- vanced to the third and final round. Jessica Mendoza aboard I-Cap CL Z and Daniel Coyle riding Ivory TCS went head-to-head, with Coyle’s time of 43.87


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seconds eclipsing the 47.54 seconds posted by Mendoza to secure victory for the Roadrunners. Coyle was joined on the top step of the podium by Roadrunners teammates Amanda Der- byshire and McLain Ward.


Mendoza and her Eye Candy teammates, Richie Moloney and Paul O’Shea settled for second while the Helios team of Erynn Bal- lard, Vanessa Hood, and Roberto Teran Tafur took third place.


Two-time U.S. Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward riding First Lady helped lead the Roadrunners to victory in the $270,000 Major League Show Jumping Ottawa Team competition. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography


The highly anticipated


$225,000 CSI5* RBC Grand Prix will close out the Major League Show Jump- ing Ottawa tournament on Sunday, August 27, at 1 p.m. General admission tickets can be purchased by click- ing here. Children aged 12 and under are admitted free. For more information on Major League Show Jump- ing Ottawa, held as part of the Ottawa Equestrian Tour- naments, visit www.Ot- tawaEquestrianTournaments .com. All competitor infor- mation is available at


www.ottawaequestriantour- naments.com/calendar-2023 and full results can be found at www.ottawaequestrian- tournaments.com/results- 2023. All class lists and results are also available by downloading the Major League Show Jumping app, and competitors can down- load video clips of their rounds free of charge.


$38,500 CSI2* Whalesbone Group Grand Prix – Saturday, August 26


Rider / Country / Horse / Faults / Time 1. Amanda Derbyshire / Great


Britain / Wonder If / 0:0 / 38.02 2. Conor Swail / Ireland / Count Me In / 0:0 / 38.73 3. Erynn Ballard / Canada / Ginger Ask / 0:0 / 39.47 4. Mimi Gochman / United States / Inclen BH / 0:0 / 40.21 5. Jay Hayes / Canada / Hope VA / 0:0 / 41.73 6. Vanessa Hood / United States / 0:8 / 45.28 7. Ashley Vogel / United States / Birdy du Thot / 0:eliminated 8. Mia Bagnato / United States / Ballyoskill Big Bucks / 1 9. Natalie Dean / United States / Dotcom d’Authuit / 4 10. Amy Millar / Canada / GCS Athena / 4


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