Equestrian Adult Amateur

What happens when everyone tells you it's over?In this episode of The Equestrian Adult Amateur, we share the incredible story of Wyatt, a Thoroughbred who suffered a devastating injury that many believed would end his career for good. Faced with difficult decisions, discouraging prognoses, and multiple professionals advising against continuing, Wyatt's team chose a different path. They chose patience, faith, and the willingness to trust the process.What followed was a journey filled with setbacks, uncertainty, sacrifice, and determination. Through careful management, unwavering support from his owner, trainer, and community, Wyatt not only recovered but returned to the show ring and reminded everyone exactly who he was.But this episode is about much more than one horse's comeback.We dive into the realities of the equestrian world, the pressure many riders feel to appear successful, the role social media plays in shaping perception, and the lack of support that adult amateurs often experience. We talk about why the sport needs more real stories, more vulnerability, and more conversations about the challenges behind the highlight reels.This episode is a reminder that horses don't care about followers, ribbons, or appearances. They care about partnership, trust, and showing up every day. Sometimes the greatest victories aren't championships—they're simply getting back in the ring when nobody thought you could.Whether you've experienced a setback with your horse, struggled with confidence, or needed a reminder of why you fell in love with horses in the first place, Wyatt's story is one you won't want to miss.In this episode:• Wyatt's career-ending injury and unexpected comeback• The emotional reality of horse ownership• Trusting the recovery process when others doubt you• The importance of community in equestrian sport• Social media, pressure, and comparison culture• Why adult amateurs need more representation• The bond between horse and rider• Inspiring listener stories from across the equestrian communityIf Wyatt's story resonates with you, we'd love to hear about a horse that changed your life. Share your story in the comments.#EquestrianAdultAmateur #HorseRecovery #Thoroughbred #HorseShowLife #AdultAmateur #EquestrianPodcast #HorseTraining #HorseRiding #HorseCommunity #ComebackStory #HunterJumper #EquestrianLife

This week on The Equestrian Adult Amateur, I'm sharing a horse show weekend recap as Sunny and Ollie continue preparing for one of our biggest goals of the season—the Big A Quarter Horse Show in Conyers, Georgia.Going into the weekend, I felt like we were in a really good place. Sunny had some great trips, Ollie had been working well at home, and I was feeling excited about the progress we've been making. But as every equestrian knows, horses have a way of reminding us that confidence can change in an instant.After what felt like a great schooling session, Ollie stopped at the first jump during one of our rounds. Suddenly, all the confidence I thought I had built started to disappear. What followed wasn't really about the refusal itself—it was about the mental game of horse showing. The self-doubt, the frustration, the second-guessing, and ultimately learning how to move forward.In this bonus episode, I'm talking about the reality of developing a young horse, managing horse show nerves, building trust in the saddle, and why confidence is one of the most important skills an adult amateur rider can develop. Whether you're preparing for your next horse show, riding a green horse, or working through your own confidence struggles, I think you'll relate to this conversation.Horse showing isn't always about championships and blue ribbons. Sometimes the biggest wins happen when you learn to trust yourself, trust your horse, and keep showing up after things don't go according to plan.If you've ever dealt with a horse refusal, struggled with confidence in the show ring, or found yourself replaying a round over and over in your head, I'd love to hear your story in the comments.🎙️ Topics Covered:* Preparing for the Big A Quarter Horse Show* Developing a young horse* Building confidence in the horse show ring* Horse show nerves and mental preparation* Horse refusals and setbacks* Trust between horse and rider* Adult amateur riding experiences* Lessons learned from horse showing#EquestrianAdultAmateur #HorseShow #QuarterHorseShow #BigAQuarterHorseShow #HorseShowRecap #HorseTraining #YoungHorse #HorseRefusal #HorseShowNerves #AdultAmateur #HunterJumper #AQHA #HorseRiding #EquestrianLife #ConfidenceInTheRing

In this episode of the Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast, Alexis and I are sitting down for a real life update — and it’s one of those conversations that feels a little messy, a little emotional, and very real.We talk about what’s been going on behind the scenes, especially with my young horse, Oli. After being in training while I was recovering from a broken leg, he’s come back struggling with anxiety and spookiness in a way I didn’t expect. It’s been frustrating, overwhelming, and honestly has pushed me to question what the right next step is — including the possibility of selling him.We also get into the ups and downs of training in general — from regressions in new environments to working through things like lead changes, confidence, and consistency. It’s a reminder that progress isn’t always linear, and sometimes the setbacks hit harder than expected.Outside of the barn, life has been just as full — from navigating big personal decisions, to the stress of everyday responsibilities, to trying to balance it all while still showing up for our horses.This episode is a little bit of everything:The emotional side of owning and training young horsesDealing with setbacks and uncertaintyThe pressure we put on ourselves as adult amateursAnd the reality of trying to hold it all together when things feel a little chaoticIt’s not polished. It’s not perfect. But it’s honest — and sometimes that’s exactly what we need.

In this episode of the Equestrian Adult Amateur Podcast, I’m sitting down with Mel, an equine massage therapist whose journey in the horse world started early — from caring for horses at 13 to studying biblical counseling with a minor in equine studies, and eventually building a career centered around helping horses feel and perform better.Mel shares how her time as a working student in Pennsylvania shaped her understanding of the importance of grooming, muscle care, and truly knowing your horse’s body. We dive into how she transitioned into equine massage therapy, her love for dressage, and why bodywork plays such a critical role across all disciplines — from performance horses to broodmares.We talk about:How tension in areas like the neck and jaw impacts the entire horseThe connection between soreness, weakness, and performanceWhy posture and balance matter just as much for the rider as the horseAnd how touch is one of the most powerful ways we communicate with our horsesMel also shares her approach to preventing injuries, her thoughts on supplements, and why taking care of your horse should always be a team effort — not a one-size-fits-all solution.This episode is a reminder that understanding your horse’s body goes far beyond riding — and that sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference in their comfort and performance.