Eventing asks a great deal of a horse's mind. Between the collecting ring precision, the bravery needed for cross-country fences, and the steady nerves…
Posts
Reading the signs your horse needs a mental break
Lessons from watching a top rider walk the course
The first time I really paid attention to how a top rider walks a cross-country course, I was standing in the boot scraper line at a Melbourne event with my…
Rewarding your horse after a good run
There's a moment just after the beeper goes off and you've slowed your horse to a walk where the world feels different. Your pulse is still hammering, your…
Finding A Quiet Moment To Breathe Before Cross-Country
Cross-country days have a particular kind of noise. There are float doors banging, boots being pulled on, coaches calling times, horses snorting at unfamiliar…
Why soft hands matter more than strong legs in eventing
For years I chased the feeling of a perfect leg. I squeezed, hardened, did endless two-point without stirrups, and rode through burning thighs believing that…
What To Do When You Forget Your Dressage Test In The Arena
Forgetting a dressage test in the arena can feel like the entire competition has suddenly gone quiet. The letters are still around the edge, your horse is…
What actually shifts when you step up to Preliminary
The jump from Training Level to Preliminary is one of those milestones every eventer talks about, and it rarely feels as straightforward as it sounds on paper.…
Why horses get stiff after travelling and how to bring them back
Travelling horses to competitions across New South Wales, Victoria, or South Australia is part of life for anyone serious about eventing. A long float trip can…
Why I Write a Short Note to My Horse After Every Ride
I have always been someone who remembers a ride in fragments: the feel of a soft rein, the moment a horse relaxes through the back, a fence that arrived sooner…
How to Choose a Helmet That Feels Good All Day
A long day at a horse trial starts before sunrise and ends well after the last rosette has been handed out. Between the early morning hack to warm up,…