The Equestrian Confidential - Tips, Inspiration, & Conversation for the competitive amateur rider

Burn, Baby, Burn

June 20, 2018 No Comments

We already get a lot of core and lower body work as riders, but if you start working on strengthening your muscles out of the saddle, too, you’ll see the results in your riding. Weight and resistance training isn’t just for the guys; everyone can benefit from it. And no, building some muscle won’t make you bulky. Muscle actually burns fat, so increasing your muscle mass will tone you up and make your ride in the saddle all the easier. Think: better posture, stronger legs, and less cringing when your trainer has you hold the two-point position. All of these […]

Fashion & Skincare for Riders, Featured

We’re Here, We’re Hot, & We’re Sweaty: Bringing the Heat This Summer

June 13, 2018 No Comments

The sun’s almost always out and shining in Southern California, but during the summer and early fall months, the heat really turns up. So does the chance that you–and your horse–get too much exposure. Below, Jasmin Stair, trainer, owner of Jasmin Stair Stables, and Co-Founder of The Equestrian Confidential, shares her top tips on keep you and your furry partner cool and prepared for summertime. Don’t forget the sunblock Stick, or liquid? Spray, or powder? Nowadays, there are a lot of different types of sunscreens on the market, and a lot of the differences between them simply come down to […]

Ask Equestrian Confidential, Featured

Retiring the Show Horse: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

May 24, 2018 No Comments

Over the last few years, more and more once well-loved horses are being abandoned. It’s that taboo thing that no one seems to talk about in our sport. We have too many ways to help for us, as riders and owners, to keep dropping the ball on our equine partners. So what exactly do you do when your horse can’t perform anymore? The lucky ones are taken care of long-term and have a nice retirement, living out their days in peace. When you think about the cost of owning show horses – most people spend anywhere between $2,000 – $8,000 per […]

Uncategorized

Amateur Spotlight: Romi Skolnik

April 27, 2018 No Comments

Named Best Adult Rider of 2017 by the Greater San Diego Hunter Jumper Association, Romi Skolnik is not one to be missed. Don’t worry – you likely won’t miss her and her painted mount, Hanky Panky, around the Southern California shows; not only is “Hank” an eye catching drink of water, but Romi stands out from the crowd both in and out of the saddle with her warm personality and effervescent positivity. After a long and successful Junior career, Romi has effortlessly transitioned into Amateur life, rocking the medal, equitation, and hunter rings and racking up top honors like the […]

Equestrian Health & Fitness

Read This if You’re Always Hearing “Shoulders Back!”

April 13, 2018 No Comments

As amateurs, we get away with a little more leeway in the realm of equitation and posture than our junior rider counterparts. Sure, we all want to look great on a horse (and maybe win an amateur medal or two) but we’re not about to spend hours in the saddle doing flatwork sans stirrups or stare in the ringside mirror wondering if our shoulders are back quite far enough – the mirror is for pondering if one’s but has gotten bigger or smaller recently, after all. And let’s be real here: we have trainers to yell “for the love of […]

Uncategorized

Must Haves: Treat Yourself, Equestrian Style

March 23, 2018 No Comments

Spring has sprung, and that means spring and summer styles are hot off the press. After a long winter…whether that involved braving rain and snow or sprinting the ridiculously long distance between the barns and rings at Thermal, you deserve a little treat before settling in for the summer show season (and your horse might want one too). Hell, who are we kidding? We just want a good excuse to treat ourselves. We rounded up a few of our most lusted after luxe pieces that are well worth the splurge, plus threw in some indulgent treats for your well deserving […]

Featured, Ringside Motivation

Inside a Winning Mindset with International Competitor Michelle Rodal

March 9, 2018 1 Comment

When it comes to crafting a winning mindset, Michelle Rodal is the champ. Michelle’s an accomplished Grand Prix rider (and that’s putting it lightly) who has participated in four FEI World Cup Finals. She’s represented the United States in numerous Nations Cup competitions before recently beginning to ride in International competition under the Mexican flag. She also earned an MBA and currently runs boutique sales operation Morgan Hill Partners, Inc. Michelle is obviously wildly successful, but when you meet her, you can instantly tell that it’s pure passion for the sport and the horses that drives Michelle in every aspect […]

Tips From Your Trainer

Tips from a Trainer: Don’t Overthink It

March 1, 2018 No Comments

USHJA certified trainer & instructor Jasmin Stair of Jasmin Stair Stables at Fortuna Del Charro in Rancho Santa Fe, California is back to give us some perspective on adjusting your mindset to get the most out of your riding experience. As a trainer and a competitor, one thing that is always hard – no matter what level you ride at – is learning something new or practicing difficult tasks in the ring when you can’t stop stressing and overthinking. Overthinking is something we all deal with. We’re human, we have lives, and we worry. We worry about our riding […]

Fashion & Skincare for Riders, Wine & Other Important Things

Last Minute Valentines Day Gifts for The Equestrian Set

February 11, 2018 No Comments

Valentines Day is just around the corner and if you’re like us, you’re a little behind on this mid-week holiday. While you can wine and dine your sweetheart, how do you show the love to your friends and cohorts in the horse world? We created a quick chic & easy gift guide for your trainer, fellow riders, or most importantly – to show yourself a little much deserved self love. With gifts this good, no one will care that you’re a day or two late (and when you decide to treat yourself, it’s really the thought that counts). Snaks 5th […]

Featured, Ringside Motivation

Horse Shows: It Takes a Village

February 8, 2018 1 Comment

Once you step into the show ring, it’s easy to feel alone, and like the weight of doing well is all on you. What we often forget is that even though rider and horse cross the start timers or enter a hunter ring alone, we all really enter the ring with a huge support team behind us. Family, Friends, & Significant Others Us equestrians are slightly insane (but at least we’re aware of it), and it takes a crew of very understanding non-horsey people to support us through our ups, downs, and way downs. Sure, they may never quite understand why we […]

Burn, Baby, Burn

We’re Here, We’re Hot, & We’re Sweaty: Bringing the Heat This Summer

Retiring the Show Horse: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Inside a Winning Mindset with International Competitor Michelle Rodal

Horse Shows: It Takes a Village

Tips from a Trainer: Setting Riding & Horse Show Goals Together

Must Haves: Rider Off Duty

Judge’s First Impressions In The Show Ring

Amateur Spotlight: Stephanie Wilbur

Yoga for Equestrians

Remembering Courses: Tips From A Trainer

Barn to Boardroom: Amateur Riders Balancing Work & Riding

Burn, Baby, Burn

We’re Here, We’re Hot, & We’re Sweaty: Bringing the Heat This Summer

Retiring the Show Horse: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Amateur Spotlight: Romi Skolnik

Read This if You’re Always Hearing “Shoulders Back!”

Must Haves: Treat Yourself, Equestrian Style

Inside a Winning Mindset with International Competitor Michelle Rodal

Tips from a Trainer: Don’t Overthink It

Horse Shows: It Takes a Village