Say hi to Bart

12/06/2026

I feel like we have all been here at some point and even now I still have ‘why can’t I get this’ moments! It’s so important to be patient with yourself and your horse, the results are so worth it!

Ever understood a riding theory perfectly, but your body (and your horse) just didn't get the memo?

It's the ultimate training trap.

We start working on a new skill or fixing an old habit. By session three or four, our brain completely gets it.

Because we understand it, we expect the breakthrough to happen right then. When it doesn't? We finish the session feeling frustrated and miffed.

But here is the science of training: The brain learns much faster than muscle memory can adapt.

When you and your horse are rewriting old habits, you aren't just practicing a movement. You are physically building new neural pathways. That takes time, repetition, and a lot of clumsy drafts.

If you feel like you "should have got it by now," you haven't failed. You’re just waiting for the physical body to catch up with the intellect.

Give yourself and your horse some grace. The breakthrough is coming—it's just busy cooking.

10/06/2026

Yesterday we had a show jumping session with Sharon Johnson Equestrian I have been having a bit of a wobble with my sj so we also used some mindset exercises to help me throughout. We worked on keeping a rhythm between the jumps and getting Bart to jump out of his stride (which is a big change from the usual 100mph we usually do! 😂) it wasn’t always pretty and I did nearly come off at one point 🙈 but that’s what training sessions are for! At the end of the session I found out that we had even jumped a meter!

07/06/2026

This week we had a Sharon triple whammy! Tuesday we had our lesson working on getting Bart to work lower so we can start to build on getting him to be more supple across his back and using himself correctly, Friday I had a mindset session in which we worked on techniques to help me overcome anxiety when jumping on wet grass, this was very effective and i can practice between sessions( Sharon knows a scary amount about the brain!!) then on Saturday we had a PT session where we looked at making sure the correct muscles are activating to allow me to use my aids effectively, we also looked at my straightness and even looking at how the position of my big toes impacts my riding! (My toes go rogue and insist on pointing up and pressing against the top of my boots! ) needless to say as the day has gone on the more sore my muscles are getting!! 🤣💪 Sharon Johnson Equestrian

07/06/2026

Cross-Country Clinic at The Hollies, Richmond — Saturday 27th June 🐴

Following on from the last successful day, I’ve put a new date in the diary for another cross-country clinic!

Whether you’ve got a young horse needing a quiet look at some natural fences, a combination wanting to work through a bit of a confidence wobble, or you’re just looking to sharpen up your rhythm and lines, you are very welcome to join us.

The course at The Hollies lends itself perfectly to mixed groups, as most of the fences have the exact same type of jump at multiple different heights right next to each other. This means we can all school together, but you can pop the size that suits you and your horse best on the day.

📅When: Saturday 27th June

📍Where: The Hollies Cross Country Course, Richmond

✅Groups: Small, relaxed groups (maximum of 4 riders) sorted by what you're comfortable jumping.

✅Focus: Rhythm, balance, technique, and helping you feel confident with steps, water, ditches, and logs—completely at your own pace.

💰 Cost:
Group Sessions: £50 per rider (includes course hire)
Individual Sessions: £70 per rider (includes course hire)

Times will be allocated on booking. Current body protectors and non-fixed peak hats are compulsory.

Spaces are limited so we can keep the groups small and beneficial for everyone. If you fancy a trip out, drop me a message on here to book a slot, or book directly via the website here: https://www.sharonjohnsonequestrian.co.uk/ourshop/prod_7878398-Cross-Country-Clinic-The-Hollies-Richmond.html
You can also message me directly to book.

28/05/2026

Bart and I had a very easy week last week, I was on holiday from work as we had family visiting so I didn’t ride as much and my stretches went out of the window! Combine that with the fact that my 40 year old joints aren’t what they used to be (especially after an ODE on Sunday!) we discovered in Tuesdays lesson that my hips had turned to concrete and did not want to participate!🙈 🤣so Sharon put me through some in saddle exercises to get me loosened up! With it being so hot this evening I didn’t want to do too much with Bart so we had a 25 minute ride mostly with no stirrups while I done some exercises again, it’s still a work in progress but as you can see Bart is very much used to me doing bizarre things in the saddle!! 🤣 Sharon Johnson Equestrian

25/05/2026

Thankfully on an afternoon Barts stable is shaded and cool, so when it’s this hot he comes in, can’t risk his pink skin in this sun, even under his fly rug!!

24/05/2026

Today we headed out to another ODE, we had a great time. We got 33.5 in our dressage (working on controlling Barts left shoulder and working on our center line!) he felt great and listened, we got some good comments on our sheet. We went clear showjumping (although Bart totally saved my backside over the double!) I need to work on looking up and not interfering! We blasted round the cross country and were 10 seconds inside the time! Sharon Johnson Equestrian

22/05/2026

🚨 CROSS COUNTRY CLINIC 🚨

📍 The Hollies Cross Country Course
📅 Saturday 30th May

Cross country training for riders of all abilities. Small supportive groups focusing on confidence, technique, rhythm, balance, control, and rider progression.

The Hollies offers a fantastic variety of fences for novice to experienced riders, making it the perfect venue to build confidence, improve technique, and progress XC skills.

🐴 All abilities welcome
⏰ Times allocated on booking
💰 £50 per rider - includes course hire!

Message Sharon Johnson Equestrian to book your space!

20/05/2026

Your mindset affects every ride 🧠🐴

You can improve your position, fitness, and technique… but if fear, nerves, self-doubt, or overthinking are running the show, it will always affect your riding.

That’s why mindset work is so important.

As a Master NLP Practitioner and Centre 10 Coach, specialising in mindset and behavioural performance, I work with riders using proven mindset and coaching techniques to help them break negative riding patterns, manage fear and anxiety, rebuild confidence, and create lasting changes both in and out of the saddle.

My coaching combines rider psychology, mindset training, nervous system regulation, confidence work, and practical strategies tailored to both the rider and their goals — because no two riders are the same.

This isn’t just “positive thinking.” It’s about understanding how your mind and body influence performance, confidence, and communication with your horse.

When your mindset changes, your riding changes too ✨

If you want to overcome the mental blocks holding back your riding and start building real confidence in the saddle, message me to find out more about working together 📩