A little video to wish you all a very Happy New Year and also introduce something a little bit different for me in 2021. I'm going to have a go at doing a video diary to give you all an insight into my life – good and bad! – through 2021. Well out of my comfort zone here as this isn't something I have ever done before!đŹđ
Please follow along and share with your friends if they might be interested too. Anyway hopefully something entertaining and educational all in one!đđ©âđđ€
Happy New Year and all my best wishes for a safe and successful 2021.đŸđ„đ„ł
Piggy x
#PiggyMarch #TeamPiggy
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Parlanti RomaPosted by Piggy March on Friday, January 1, 2021
The first of January is also a prime moment to percolate on new ideas, grand plans, and goals for the year ahead, and itâs been so exciting to see top riders dropping teasers for the year ahead. One of the most welcome updates came from superstar (and possibly the nicest person in the sport)Â Piggy March, who ushered us all into 2021 with the announcement of her new video series. Weâve enjoyed William Fox-Pittâs vlogs so much over the last year that this is extra-exciting news â and there couldnât be a more soothing gal to help us get this year underway.
Go Piggy, go eventing, and above all, go forth into this new year as your best and boldest self, regardless of what we may all still have to overcome.
Set Your 2021 ‘GPS’ with Coach Daniel Stewart
Tamie Smith & No App For That. Photo by Kim Miller.
Whether or not you subscribe to the idea of New Yearâs resolutions, the idea of a âfresh startâ brought about by the turning of the calendar is enough to get any goal-oriented individual thinking about whatâs next. On the opposite side of the see-saw, however, lies the inherent fact that in life, things tend not to go according to plan. Add horses into the mix and, well, you might be better throwing a handful of darts at the wall in hopes one might stick.
All of this to say: making – and keeping – resolutions tends to be…challenging. Indeed, statistics show that about 80 percent of resolutions made on January 1 tend to fail. If youâre struck by the depressing nature of that statistic, you arenât alone – but thereâs also hope. We had a conversation with renowned sport psychologist Daniel Stewart, well-known for his work within the equestrian community, to help our fellow eventers set their âGPSâ for the year ahead.
Tiana Coudray and Cabaret. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The GPS Approach: Goal, Problem, Solution
âFor starting the new year, thereâs a technique called âGPSâ, or âGoal, Problem, Solution,â Daniel explained. âEveryone has goals, short and long-term. And generally, they say that the majority of goals are only 60 to 80 percent likely to happen. If a goal is 100 percent likely to happen, that goal is not âuncomfortableâ enough. So there is going to be something between you and your goals: a problem. And what we do too often is focus entirely on the goal itself, closing our eyes and becoming blind to the problem standing between us and that goal.â
For those who try to subscribe to a manner of positive thinking, this problem-focused mentality seems counter-intuitive. Letâs look at this concept in riding terms – and yes, it is as simple as it sounds.
âSay my goal is to learn how to do a flying change,â Daniel said. âThe âgoalâ is to do the change. The âproblemâ is that my horse doesnât yet do flying changes. The âsolutionâ is to start working on these changes. When you begin to incorporate work on half-halts, simple changes, canter departs, and so on, then the likelihood of achieving that goal develops. By identifying and focusing on this problem, you then achieve the goal.â
Having the courage to be vulnerable, to truly identify the âproblemâ part of the equation, Daniel says, is the sweet spot. âThis is the one exception to the rule of thinking positive,â he explained. âWe have the courage to be vulnerable and allow ourselves to search out problems that stand between us and our goals, and when we identify that problem we work entirely to solve it. Itâs when we lose that vision and itâs only all about the goals that we never solve the problem.â
Erin Kellerhouse and Woodford Reserve. MGO Photography Photo.
Finding Our Fears
In his forthcoming book, his fourth on equestrian sport psychology, Daniel writes about a deeper side of mental coaching. âMy first books were more pump you up, cheerleader type books,â he explained. âThis one even surprised me; it goes deeper into mindfulness and awareness and the need to have a definition for our rational and irrational fears. The book addresses some deeper concerns – envy, shame, fear of failure, making mistakes – and I do my best to deliver the important information in such a way that perhaps we can see some brightness and humor attached to those things that make us fearful.â
Weâll dive more into the concept of fear and how it affects us as riders in a future column, but for now take a moment to go a little deep within yourself. It may feel uncomfortable, but ask yourself these questions:
- What do I fear as a rider?
- What do I fear as a human?
- What are my short-term goals for the new year?
- What are the problems standing between me and these short-term goals?
- What are my long-term goals?
- What are the problems standing between me and these long-term goals?
Write these answers down – this helps not only with accountability but also helps you separate swirling thoughts from logical reasoning. Coach Stewart will be contributing to future columns here on EN on the topic of improving our mental strength for riding, so stay tuned for much more.
If youâre interested in learning more from Daniel Stewart, youâre in luck! Heâs currently booking virtual webinars aimed at helping all riders find their true potential. Click here to learn more about booking or participating in a webinar.
The First News & Notes of 2021
Gratitude is the theme of 2021.
I’m declaring it now, the theme of 2021 is gratitude, because we will really appreciate all of the things that we missed in 2020, as well as incorporating all the good things we learned from this year. Plus, we can always practice more gratitude, and sharing it together makes the world a better place.
News From Around the Globe:
Start the new year by getting your horse’s engine revving, in a good way. You don’t even have to wait to get on and ride, you can begin with exercises on the ground. Helping your horse engage his hind end in an active way benefits your dressage score, as well as benefitting your jumping phases too. [Get Your Horse’s Pushing Engine In Gear]
Weâre giving away a copy of Jane Savoieâs Dressage Between the Jumps, and there is still time to enter! Click here to learn more and submit your entry.
Stars, they’re just like us! One of the many wonderful things about equestrian sports is that upper level professionals have just as many oh sh*t moments to share as we do. Check out these stories from Louise Serio, Anne Kursinksi, Margie Engle, and more about their own personal big time whoops on horseback. [Whoopsie Daisy]
After a rare disease claimed three of her limbs (and nearly her life), Jessica Thoma is back in the saddle with big goals. Jessica Thoma is a lifelong equestrian whose world got turned upside down in 2018. Beginning in the spring, she battled a mysterious ailment that began with a rash, joint pain, fatigue and nausea. She saw a slew of doctors but it wasnât until she fell gravely ill months later that she finally got a diagnosis: Polyarteritis Nodosa, a rare disease resulting from blood vessel inflammation. Now, she’s back on the horse and says they were integral to her recovery. [I Don’t Think I’d Survive Without Horses]
EN’s Top 10 Videos of 2020, #1: Who Bucked It Best?
We are counting down the top 10 most-viewed videos shared on EN in 2020. To view videos 2-10, click here. It’s time to unveil our most-viewed video of 2020!
Who doesn’t need a little laugh this afternoon? British five-star eventer Laura Collett had some pretty spicy horses when she legged her string back up and schooled them over fences for the first time after their winter break. Which of Laura’s three mounts — London 52, Cleomina and Dacapo — displayed the most impressive acrobatics? Leave your comment below! Honestly though, the real winner of this contest is Laura’s incredible seat!
New Years Eve News & Notes
Something is….off…here. Photo by Adel Viljoen.
Like this horse above, we are jumping into 2021 and not looking back. 2020 has been a year of challenges, but many of us have found silver linings that we really didn’t expect. While I know that this was not just “one bad year” and everything will be different tomorrow, my only hope is that we can take the lessons learned and awareness gained from this painful and divisive year and ensure that it doesn’t happen again. Jump your jump! With or without the rider, just get it done.
News From Around the Globe:
Have you ever wanted to look through the judgeâs eyes and see what they see during the conformation portion of a USEA Young or Future Event Horse competition? Now is your chance! Using only a photo and information on age and breed, legendary horseman and past FEH/YEH Championship judge Chris Ryan is sharing his insights into young horse conformation. This week it’s 3-year-old filly TC Maleficent. [Conformation Critique with Chris Ryan]
Weâre giving away a copy of Jane Savoieâs Dressage Between the Jumps, and there is still time to enter! Click here to learn more and submit your entry.
Once a horse girl, always a horse girl. Actress Zosia Mamet took this New Yorker writer inside her passion for riding, and how it’s both an escape from and a metaphor for her acting career. [Zosia Mamet is a Horse Girl]
The USEA Intercollegiate Eventing program has steadily gained popularity since its creation in 2014. In 2016, the USEA intercollegiate national leaderboards were introduced and every December, a new set of nationally ranked riders are named. For 2020, the collegiate riders that took home top honors were Katie Lichten of University of Virginia, Ryan Keefe of University of Kentucky, Audrey Sanborn of California Polytechnic State University SLO, Kaley Crosby of Clemson University, Mikayla Kearney of University of Central Florida, Paige Ansaldi of University of Maryland, and Jessica Wymbs of University of South Carolina â Aiken. [Leading Riders of Intercollegiate Eventing Program 2020]
Check out Amanda Ross’ every day routine in Australia with her eventing yard!
Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Hasta la Vista To All This, Baby
It seems remarkable, really, that we’ve somehow made it to New Year’s Eve-Eve â not quite unscathed, mind you, but still standing, ready to catch our breath and clean out a bit of the road rash. But yet here we are, on the precipice of 2021; a year that can’t make any promises just yet, but which we hope, quietly and ferociously, might turn the tide for us all and crack a window or two to let the sunbeams of hope trickle back in.
Mind you, there’s more than 24 hours to go before we can really hit our stride and wax lyrical about what’s to come (though we daren’t say a single ‘this is going to be my year, I can feel it!’ and we don’t really recommend ‘new year, new me’ either) and this is primo hide-under-the-duvet-and-pretend-it’s-not-happening calendar real estate. Sudden snowstorms? Never heard of her! Brexit? If he was walking down the street, I wouldn’t recognise him. Sorry to that man. A bit of juicy escapism to some sunny, far-off clime, wherein we can channel the giddy glee of riding for one’s country? SIGN. ME. UP.
And so today we head to Spain with young British showjumper Joe Stockdale â son of the late, great Tim â as he brings us along for a rather spiffing Nations Cup adventure. All the thrill of the real thing, sans the terrifying risk of transatlantic travel. Cheers to that, Joe!
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EN’s Top 10 Videos of 2020, #2: Bomb-proofing with Andrew Hoy
We are counting down the top 10 most-viewed videos shared on EN in 2020. To view videos 3-10, click here.
We have developed a new formula to âbomb proofâ our horses during dressage training – I can highly recommend it! đ€Ł pic.twitter.com/TEqNwv8Pu8
— Andrew Hoy (@HoyEventing) January 12, 2020
Bomb proofing your horse for the dressage ring is simple. According to Andrew Hoy all you need is a toddler and a very tiny car. The result is equal parts inspired and adorable.
And if that’s not cute enough, take a look at Andrew’s daughter Philippa ready to follow in her dad’s footsteps:
Photo courtesy of Andrew Hoy.
Go Philippa! We can’t wait for you to take the headlines on EN someday.
Wednesday News & Notes
Saddle Up and Read founder Caitlin Gooch makes introductions at a recent reading event.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little more about Saddle Up and Read over the last few weeks. If you’d like to refresh your memory on what we’ve covered thus far, click here and here to catch up.
Saddle Up and Read hit the road this month and brought their horses into two neighborhoods to connect with local kids.
Weekend recap part 2:
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After the book drive, we headed over to two neighborhoods. We gifted children books…Posted by Saddle Up And Read on Sunday, December 27, 2020
There are many ways to get involved with Saddle Up and Read, which uses horses and books to promote higher literacy rates in youth. You can learn more about Saddle Up and Read and find ways to help by clicking here.
Wednesday Reading List:
Top riders including William Fox-Pitt, Lucinda Green, Jonty Evans and Bill Levett have all pitched in their resources to help build a school in a remote Sierra Leone village. Sadly, the project’s main donor had passed away due to COVID-19, and these riders donated raffle items to help fund the remaining work to complete the school. At the organizing helm of the project is Bea Pinnegar, who formerly worked as the head girl for Irish show jumper Cian O’Connor. Bea says education is a fundamental necessity, one that helped her leave a difficult beginning of life behind for a better path. You can read more about this incredible project here.
It’s the perfect time of year to curl up with a good book. If you’re into books of the horse flavor, here’s a list to start checking off from Horse Illustrated.
Speaking of good books, we’re giving away a copy of Jane Savoie’s Dressage Between the Jumps, and there is still time to enter! Click here to learn more and submit your entry.
How do you get your horse properly fit when the footing is less than ideal? This refresher from Practical Horseman taps Jessica Phoenix – no stranger to inclement weather during the long winters in Canada – for her advice on accomplishing fitness in varying ways.
Sarah Charley left her work as a mechanical engineer to pursue grooming as a full-time career, and now she finds herself alongside reigning World Equestrian Games gold medalist Ros Canter for the ride of a lifetime. She also aspires to contest her first FEI competition, on the cusp of her 60th birthday. Don’t miss this inspirational story that might just give you the horse bug all over again.
Wednesday Video Break: A helpful winter refresher from William Fox Pitt on bringing your horse back into top show jumping form.
Tuesday Video from Horseware: Hanging with Lydia Heywood
Jamaican event rider Lydia Heywood caught the horse bug from her mother, who she says had a huge passion to ride even though she didn’t have a lot of support from her family. In the latest video blog from This Esme, Lydia goes for a school at the famous Hickstead venue and sits down with Esme to give us a glimpse into her riding career and life.
“I love to get competitive in all things that I do,” Lydia explains in the video. Of all the disciplines, Lydia says she found the most passion in the cross country portion, though she first started out in the jumper ring and learned that she had a need for speed. Since then, it’s been all systems go as Lydia pursues her competitive goals and also helps out with organizations such as the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton and the Cool Ridings Foundation.
Lydia and Esme have also teamed up with DVR Equestrian to give away a signed Riding the Revolution t-shirt – you can learn more on how to enter below:
If you’d like to hear more from Lydia, this is a good podcast to start with. Go eventing!
Fab Freebie: Complete Your Bookshelf with a Copy of Jane Savoie’s Dressage Between the Jumps
We’ve partnered with Horse and Rider Books (Trafalgar Square Books) to give away a copy of a few of their most popular titles this holiday season.
Image courtesy of Horse & Rider Books.
We’re into the third and final book giveaway of 2020 and we’ve saved a great one for last! You may remember this excerpt from Dressage Between the Jumps, written by the wise Jane Savoie, published on EN earlier this year. Now, you can dive right in and get working on those resolutions now with a copy of your own. Check out more about Dressage Between the Jumps:
From the book description:
“Jane Savoie’s books have changed the way people ride. She was the first to promote mental training tools and techniques as integral to competitive riding success, and her cross-training concepts for the horseâhow to use dressage fundamentals for every equestrian sport&mcash;have been called ânot just a read, but a must read for every hunter-jumper riderâ by George Morris, former Chef d’Equipe of the US Show Jumping Team. Now Savoie has created a book specifically for equestrian sports with a jumping componentâhunter, jumper, equitation, and eventing. In Dressage Between the Jumps, she breaks down the six most common problem areas she sees when horses jump: âwhoaâand âgo;â rhythm; suppleness through the poll, neck, body, back, and hindquarters; contact and connection; collection; and flying changes. Then she fills the rider’s toolbox with targeted exercises on the flatâsimple solutions to the nagging problems that prevent riders and horses from doing their best over all kinds of obstacles. Her excellent lessons gradually incorporate ground poles and low fences to build skills without stressing the horse’s body. Throughout, top riders share their own stories and insight, demonstrating numerous ways dressage exercises helped solve real problems over fences. With incredible clarity and her trademark enthusiasm, Savoie arms readers with knowledge, confidence, and problem-solving prowess that will result not only in clear rounds, but a happier horse, ready and willing to perform in partnership.”
To enter this giveaway, simply use one of the options from the Rafflecopter widget below. We’ll announce the winner next Wednesday, January 6 in News & Notes. We’d also like to congratulate the winner of last week’s giveaway of Stride Control, Gabrielly M.! Good luck to all entering this week.
Unable to use the widget? Click here to visit the raffle page!
Terms and Conditions: Thank you for entering our Fab Freebie! The Rafflecopter widget above will collect your email address, which may be shared with the sponsor of the giveaway but will not be sold or shared with any other third parties.
