In this episode of the Rise and Ride Show, I'm joined by dressage rider, equestrian coach, and founder of Equestrian Heroes, Alison Kenward.

Alison shares her fascinating riding journey, from representing her country in international polocrosse to training and competing in New Zealand and South Africa. Throughout our conversation, she explains how these experiences have shaped the way she now coaches riders and helps them develop confidence, stronger partnerships, and greater enjoyment with their horses.

We explore why every rider's journey is unique, how confidence is built through understanding rather than perfection, and why developing a genuine connection with your horse is often the key to unlocking better riding.

Whether you're struggling with confidence, looking to improve your partnership with your horse, or simply love hearing inspiring equestrian stories, this episode is packed with practical insights and plenty of encouragement.

In this episode we discuss:

• Alison's journey from polocrosse to dressage
• Training and competing in New Zealand and South Africa
• How different riding disciplines shape better horsemen and horsewomen
• Building confidence through understanding rather than force
• Creating a stronger connection with your horse
• Alison's coaching philosophy and approach
• Why enjoyment should remain at the heart of riding
• Lessons learned from years of riding, coaching and competing

If you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another rider who could benefit from hearing Alison's inspiring story.

Connect with Alison Kenward
https://www.equestrianheroes.com/

🎙 Rise and Ride Show is the podcast for horse riders who want to build confidence, overcome nerves, and enjoy riding again. Each week, Katy Jacks shares practical advice and inspiring conversations to help you create a calmer, happier partnership with your horse.

www.alignandadvance.com

Have you ever left the yard wondering if you should be doing more with your horse?

Maybe someone else has entered a competition, booked another clinic, started jumping bigger fences, or is posting exciting adventures all over social media. Before you know it, you're questioning your own progress and wondering if you're somehow falling behind.

In this episode of Rise & Ride, we're talking about the importance of creating your own riding journey—one that's based on your goals, your horse, and what truly makes you happy, rather than what everyone else is doing.

Comparison can quietly steal your confidence and leave you chasing goals that were never yours in the first place. Whether the pressure comes from the yard, friends, instructors, or social media, it's worth taking a step back and asking yourself one simple question:

"What do I actually want?"

We'll explore how to tune out the outside noise, reconnect with your own values, and create a path that feels fulfilling for both you and your horse.

• Why it's so easy to compare yourself with other riders
• How social media can distort our view of success
• The influence of yard culture and well-meaning advice
• Why someone else's goals don't have to become your goals
• How comparison can chip away at confidence
• The importance of creating a journey that suits both you and your horse
• Practical questions to help you define your own version of success
• Celebrating progress without comparing your chapter to someone else's

Your horse doesn't know what everyone else at the yard is doing.

They don't know how many rosettes someone else has won, how high another horse is jumping, or how many followers another rider has online.

They only know the relationship they have with you.

The most rewarding riding journey isn't the one that looks the most impressive to others—it's the one that feels right for you.

If this episode encouraged you to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your own goals, I'd love it if you could follow Rise & Ride, leave a review, and share it with a fellow rider who might need this reminder.

Thank you for listening, and remember: your riding journey doesn't have to look like anyone else's to be a success.

In this episode, we discuss:

Does your personality influence how you experience riding nerves?

When it comes to confidence in the saddle, there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. Some riders want to talk through every worry with friends before they get on, while others need a few quiet moments alone with their horse. Neither is right or wrong—it may simply reflect how you're naturally wired.

In this episode of Rise & Ride, we're exploring how introverted and extroverted personality traits can shape the way we experience riding nerves, prepare for lessons or competitions, and recover after challenging rides.

You'll discover why understanding your own personality can help you stop comparing yourself to other riders and start creating a confidence routine that genuinely works for you.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The difference between introversion and extroversion (and why most of us are somewhere in the middle)
• How different personality types may experience riding nerves
• The strengths that both introverts and extroverts bring to their riding
• Why competition days can feel very different depending on your personality
• Common confidence traps for both introverted and extroverted riders
• Practical ways to work with your personality rather than against it
• Questions to help you identify what helps you feel calm, focused and confident before you ride

Remember, personality doesn't determine how brave, talented or successful you'll become as a rider. Understanding yourself simply gives you another tool to build confidence in a way that feels authentic to you.

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love it if you could follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a riding friend who might benefit from hearing it.

If you're ready to take the next step in rebuilding your riding confidence, you can also find out more about my coaching and confidence programmes by connecting with me on social media.

Thank you for listening to Rise & Ride. Until next time, ride with confidence and remember—progress is built one ride at a time.

In this heartfelt episode of The Rise and Ride Show, I chat with Maddie, the devoted owner of a stunning horse named Lorcan. When she first brought him home, Lorcan was quietly suffering from ulcers that took months to diagnose. Maddie shares her emotional journey of caring for him through recovery, the lessons she’s learned about equine ulcer treatment, and how she’s using Instagram to educate and inspire other horse owners. We also reminisce about our wild childhood rides on cheeky ponies and reflect on how horse care and riding have evolved over the years.

This episode is perfect for horse lovers, riders, and anyone passionate about equine health and wellbeing.

If your horse has suffered from ulcers or another illness, a nervous system reset could really help their recovery. Download my free guide here.

Growing up, I was always told one thing: "Never get off."

The message was clear—if your horse was napping, spinning, or feeling worried, you had to stay in the saddle no matter what. Getting off was seen as giving in or letting your horse "win."

Years later, after gaining more experience with horses and learning about confidence, behaviour, and the nervous system, my perspective has completely changed.

In this episode of Rise & Ride, I'm sharing why I now believe that choosing to dismount can sometimes be the safest, wisest, and bravest decision you can make.

We'll explore how getting off isn't a sign of failure. In the right situation, it can help both you and your horse regulate your emotions, reduce tension, and prevent a stressful moment from becoming a dangerous one.

I'll also share practical tips on how to dismount safely, why it's important to keep moving afterwards, and how you can use those moments to rebuild confidence rather than lose it.

• The advice I was given as a young rider and why my views have changed
• Why "staying on at all costs" isn't always the safest option
• Recognising when a situation is escalating
• How dismounting can help calm both your nervous system and your horse's
• Practical tips for dismounting safely and confidently
• Why continuing to walk with your horse can help regulate both of you
• Letting go of guilt and making decisions based on safety rather than pride
• Building confidence through good judgement instead of feeling pressured to prove yourself

Sometimes, courage isn't about staying on no matter what.

Sometimes, courage is recognising when everyone will benefit from taking a different approach.

As always, every horse and every situation is different. This episode is about making thoughtful, safety-focused decisions that support both horse and rider.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you could follow Rise & Ride, leave a review, and share it with another rider who may have grown up hearing the same advice.

Thank you for listening, and remember—confidence isn't about proving anything to anyone. It's about making the best decision for you and your horse in that moment.

In this episode, we discuss:

Join me as I chat with Angie from Bank Farm Equestrian about the incredible journey of transforming a traditional riding school into a thriving equestrian destination offering riding holidays, horsey hen parties, riding experiences, and so much more.In this episode, Angie shares how Bank Farm has evolved over the years, the lessons she's learned along the way, and why being honest with yourself about your riding ability is one of the most important steps towards becoming a better and more confident rider. We discuss how stepping outside the arena and exploring new environments can dramatically improve confidence, and why riding a variety of horses benefits both riders and horses alike.Whether you're a nervous rider looking to build confidence, an experienced equestrian seeking a fresh perspective, or someone interested in the realities of running a successful equestrian business, this conversation is packed with practical insights, inspiration, and a shared passion for helping horses and humans thrive together.https://bankfarmequestrian.co.uk/

In this episode, we explore how small, consistent steps can completely transform your riding confidence. If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like you “should” be braver by now, this conversation will help you see progress in a whole new way.

Katy shares the science behind small wins, how they rewire your brain for confidence, and a personal story about rebuilding trust and calm with her horse, Toby. You’ll learn how slowing down, celebrating small victories, and tracking your progress can help you feel safer, stronger, and more connected in the saddle.

Plus, don’t forget to grab your free Ride Tracker and Daily Routine Plan to help you celebrate your small wins and see your progress build over time.

Key Takeaways:

• Confidence grows through small, consistent wins, not big leaps.
• Your brain needs to feel safe before it can feel confident.
• Tracking your progress helps you see how far you’ve come.
• Slowing down and celebrating calm, connected rides builds lasting trust.
• Progress doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful.

In this episode, I share the story of a recent Equine Reiki session with a lovely pony who is currently under veterinary care. His vet has created a treatment plan involving medication, box rest and, importantly, keeping him as relaxed as possible so he can get the sleep and recovery his body needs.

I talk about how Reiki can work alongside conventional veterinary medicine, never replacing it, but supporting the horse emotionally and physically by encouraging deep relaxation. At the end of this episode, you'll hear a beautiful real-life recording from the session, where the pony gradually melts into a state of complete calm, softly licking my cap before drifting into a deeply relaxed state.

If you've ever wondered whether Reiki could help an anxious, recovering or stressed horse, I hope this story gives you an insight into what these sessions can look and feel like.