On this episode of the EQFit podcast, we are joined by professional horse trainers Denton DeBuhr, Kristin Layher, and Jake Hartman to discuss their experience with the NSBA Foundation's Tomorrows Horsemen Program. This two year program provides emerging equine professionals an opportunity to develop the skills they need to become successful in their training operations and establish financially stable businesses to benefit themselves, their families, and their customers.

Over the two years, the program provides in-person and virtual opportunities for mentorship, education, and networking amongst professionals in the world of business, leadership, communication, and the equine industry alike. All the while, participants are building deeper relationships with their fellow class members to build a more interconnected network of professionals that is essential for the future of our industry and creating a positive, supportive environment for trainers and non-pros alike.

Listen in to hear the perspectives of Denton, Kristin, and Jake on how this program has impacted their own lives as well as the impact it has had on their businesses and relationships with their clients. Through this conversation, it becomes evident how the changes in mindset of program participants creates an environment for optimal performance and overall wellbeing for themselves and their clients.

For more info on NSBA's Tomorrows Horsemen Program including program overview, information on application, and how to financial support, visit the website at: https://www.nsba.com/tomorrows-horsemen

On this episode of the EQFit Podcast we get a chance to catch up with Gita Thomas - business woman, avid equestrian athlete, and proud member of the Australian Reining community (and more!). Gita is a woman of many talents - in addition to running a highly successful business coaching company and competing in top levels of competition in reining and western dressage in Australia, she is the co-owner of both the Australian Reining Breeders Classic (ARBC) show and Thomas Arena Products with her husband Errol of Queensland, Australia. As you will hear throughout this episode, Gita is passionate about our sport of equestrian, and shares her time and talents to help her equestrian communities rise. We hope you enjoy hearing a little bit more about Gita's story and perspective as much as we did!

Also, don't forget to follow along with the Reining Australia National Championship Show taking place during this week of the podcast release, mentioned several times throughout the episode. Check out the show notes for the FB link to follow all the action!

Show notes - helpful links & podcast mentions:

Reining Australia Facebook Page

Mental Athletics Website

EQFit is fortunate to work with a handful of IHSA teams providing strength and conditioning programming to supplement their riding practice schedule and help these athletes perform at their best. Middle Tennessee State University is our longest standing team on the collegiate EQFit roster. This episode was a BLAST of a reunion with some of our incredible alumni friends from MTSU’s equestrian team - Caroline Blackstone, Lindsey Gilleland, Jordan Dillenbeck, and Taylor Meek. On this episode, we hear from some of MTSU Equestrian team’s past riders and leaders regarding their experience of what riding on an IHSA team (and MTSU specifically) did for them, lessons learned, favorite moments, and the advice they would give to their younger selves.

We hope you’ll listen in and learn from these amazing young women, and consider following the IHSA & MTSU action via these social links:

IHSA IG

MTSU EQ

Follow along with our guests through links to their IG's below!

Caroline

Lindsay

Jordan

Taylor

And shoutout to Gilead (Gil) Friedman of Mental Athletics for his perspective on the pressure we pass to our horses: https://www.mental-athletics.com/

Other links:

EQFit IG

pro-activity.com/eqfit

In this episode, we sit down with Gilead (Gil) Friedman of Mental Athletics to talk about the importance of mindset training in the sport of equestrian for optimized team performance and overall horse and rider wellbeing. As an accomplished professional NRHA trainer AND mindset coach, Gil understands the unique needs and demands of our sport and the athletes who compete in it. This conversation dives into the nuances behind WHY mindset training is critical in our sport (and all others), how we as equestrians can implement small steps to improve our mindset skills, and use this as a tool in our 'climb' to unlock ‘peak performance’. In addition, you can expect to hear about: - How we as equestrian athletes can rethink how we 'play the game' in our sport - Why we should invest in training our mindset so we can help ourselves (and our teammate - our horse) achieve 'peak performance' when it matters most, and some simple tactics to do so - How to tune out the natural tendency to occupy our mind with thoughts of other's opinions and control our focus to prioritize our own progress via the "Practice Ugly" concept - When does mental game prep start, and how (SPOILER ALERT - it does NOT start when you GET TO THE SHOW!) We would LOVE to hear your questions regarding this episode! Feel free to shoot us a DM on our social media channels (@proactivityeqfit on IG / FB) and we will be sure to do a follow up! If you would like to learn more about Mental Athletics and their programs, check out the links below! Website: https://www.mental-athletics.com/ IG: @mental_athletics  FB: Mental Athletics - Athlete’s Mindset Training https://www.facebook.com/mentalathletics.il

How do we make the habits we want to keep “sticky enough” to stay consistent, even after the New Year motivation bump goes away? Listen in as Dr. Ali Hartman, PT, DPT shares a little bit of the science behind building habits that last. We talk about the importance of mindset, the role of goal setting and baseline testing, and some go-to “habit hacks” that can increase “stickiness”.

Listen in as Kayleigh shares her journey to the Mongol Derby - the worlds longest and toughest horse race in the world. Kayleigh shares what it took - physically and mentally - to prepare for such a difficult feat, what her 10 day racing experience through the Mongolian Steppe was like, and the incredible lessons she learned throughout the way. She also shares her tricks for picking a “tame” semi-wild horse, what to do when your tack takes off without you, and her experience with the amazingly kind and hospitable people of Mongolia. You do not want to miss this one!

Listen in as Ali and Steph chat with Pro-Activity’s lead strength and conditioning coach, Chris Gahagan, to hear his insights on the importance and practical application of specificity in training for optimal sport performance. As coach to many conference, state, and national championship athletes across a wide variety of sports, Chris shares his gems on programming fundamentals that lead to success across disciplines while Ali and Steph connect to applications in the sport of equestrian. Chris also dives into some of the less tangible benefits of well programmed strength and conditioning, such as a lifelong positive relationship with fitness for health and wellness benefits, mental strength, and resilience building.

In this episode, we hear about the experiences of athletes who rode for division 1 equestrian teams in both the hunt seat and western disciplines. Athletes share insights into their preparations while in high school, what it was like riding on a team, what advice they would give their freshman selves, and what their transition to riding as an amateur / professional was like post-college and how their experience impacted them moving forward. Special thank you to our guests and cohost: Carey Nowacek (Texas A&M, Western), Katherine Schmidt Butler (University of South Carolina, Hunt Seat), Johnna Letchworth Clark (University of South Carolina, Western), Sammi Krauss (University of South Carolina, Hunt Seat), and cohost Lindsey Slack (University of South Carolina, Western).

Listen along to hear Ali, Steph, and Lindsey talk through the backstory of EQFit, the mission that we’re on, and what you can expect from our team moving forward. Please send thoughts, comments, questions, or feedback via our social @proactivityeqfit.