I used to show my horses - a lot. I was part of a dedicated group of riders who literally went to every show just for the fun of it. We went once a month, and it became more of a weekend vacation than a huge competition - and that's likely why we kept going. What's better than leaving your normal "day life" for a couple of days, go hang out with your best horsey friends, AND do something with your horse (even if it was a leased or school horse)?

So I went for years without. Don't get me wrong - I still rode consistently. I still had my warm-up session, my "lesson" session, and then my cooling down (which was usually as fun for the horse as I could make it). But something was missing.

It's not that I didn't take lessons - far from it! I was taking lessons at least once a week, and developing my skills consistently. My horse was going well and I thought I was making progress over time.

"But I feel like I'm putting so many miles on my horse's legs, and literally going nowhere," I told my friend one particularly unproductive day. "I have no goals, no need to grow, nothing to aim for."

I didn't mean that I wasn't GOING anywhere, because aside from ring riding, we had beautiful trails and dirt roads that took us to more trails, and good friends to ride with.

As I was explaining this to my friend, I realized what shows did for me that everything else didn't: they helped me set goals. They prompted me to organize my rides and helped me recognize achievement over time. I moved up the dressage levels in a very concrete, obvious way.

Once that was over, I was floundering in a never-ending sea of movements and figures but no real structure.

Yes, I thought I was improving and accomplishing, but WAS I?

So I started looking for some kind of goal setting book that I could use to track and plan my riding sessions. I searched the Internet for a useful goal setting guide specifically designed for riders. While there were many articles that gave good advice, there was really nothing that I could use to plan and track my own personal progress. The books that I did find were not relevant to horses or riding at all.

I sat down and created a wish list of all the things I wanted a goal setting book for equestrians to have in it, like short and long term planning, event debriefs, journal style weekly entries. And wouldn't you know it, I ended up WRITING the book myself! Click here if you want to read about it.

It has since sold thousands of copies and people have used it to track their riding progress for years. Again and again, people wrote to me saying how they felt that writing things down helped them reach their dreams with their horses - whatever those dreams were.

The most important thing (for people like me) is to have an idea about where we're going, have a way to track progress, and then find a way to know we've made it. It doesn't HAVE to be a horse show! We can create and follow our own path our own way, intentionally.

Which led me to create this workshop, so I can help you realize your dreams. And, I'm happy to guide you through a 90-minute session, so you can come away from it with your own goals and timeline!

You're Invited!

Join me to plan for your 2023 riding season - from the comfort of your home! Learn how you can design your way to positive and effective change - for the benefit of your horse.

The Workshop Includes:

• A FREE digital copy of Goal Setting For The Equestrian - A Personal Workbook
• Workshop package (downloadable and printable) - to be completed during the workshop
• The event livestream and recording
• Lots of examples and prompts to get you inspired and motivated

The workshop is divided into the 5 Components of Intentional Rider Development, and we'll go through them one at a time. Be prepared with pen and paper (and handouts) because this isn't a lecture! You will be actively participating, reflecting, writing, planning and engaging! You'll come out with a completed plan that will be a solid starting point to guide you through your year of riding in 2023.

One of the most difficult things about goal setting is actually setting them! So put aside just 90 minutes of your time to dream and create your own goals - ones that suit you and your horse specifically. Let me walk you through the steps, and come out with a personalized plan to begin your year on the right hoof!

Here's what you'll learn in the workshop:

 

Why most generic goal-setting efforts tend to fail horse riders

 

What it really takes to make intentional change in your riding

 

How to include your horse in your goal-setting

 

How to create horse-centered S.M.A.R.T. goals

 

Why doing everything and anything will stagnate your progress

 

How to design a step-by-step - but fluid- plan that will enable you to reach the goals you've only dreamed of

 

The various ways you can improve your riding skills - with or without a coach

I know what it's like to ride and ride and make little progress.

Sometimes it seems like once we get into a riding groove, we fall into routines. We put in the time, but feel like all we're doing is literally going round and round the ring. 

Hi! I'm Kathy Farrokhzad, owner and writer of HorseListening.com.

I am an Equestrian Canada certified and licensed coach and I have been riding and teaching for 25+ years (not counting anymore!). If you want to know more about me, click here. And here is my website, Horse Listening. You'll find a TON of free articles there if you haven't read them already.

While it may be true that it can take up to two years to see real progress in any riding skill, we certainly can take intentional steps to improve. There are things we can do to plan, try, evaluate and recognize our progress over the long term.

When I realized I was putting the miles on my horse but essentially getting nowhere skill-wise, I decided I needed more structure and intention in my own riding.

I wanted something that I could sit down with at the end of the day. I wanted to reflect on my ride, consider my successes and plan my next steps. I wanted something to write in and inspire me while I was off the horse.

Well, I ended up publishing Goal Setting For The Equestrian: A Personal Workbook, designed specifically for horse people and their horses. I researched the best theory, but my criticism with goal-setting in general was that while we can easily decide what we'd like to do, what really happens - especially with another sentient being like the horse - doesn't always go as planned. I focused on the fact that we have to include our horses into our decision making process.

So I added more relevant, horse-centered aspects to the book.

Then I did the ol' "practice what you preach" and have worked through the process myself over the course of several years. I also helped my students create and achieve their goals using the same process.

I realized that there's a typical process that we all go through when it comes to making progress with our riding skills, and I compiled them all for this 90-minute online session: the Intentional Rider Development Workshop.

This workshop is LIVE and combines all the work I've put in over the years into a concise, organized event that will help you identify your goals and outline your plan - fast.

You'll get clarity on what is most important for you and your horse, so that you can make deliberate decisions that will match your goals.

And you'll leave the workshop with a clear understanding of what you plan to do over the next year - and how to assess your progress and adjust goals as "things" happen. We all know about horses, right?!

So find a nice quiet space, pull out a blanket and bring your favorite drink. Bring a printed copy of the Workshop Package (or blank sheets of paper will be fine), a pencil (and eraser!), any ideas you already have - and join us for the Intentional Rider Development Workshop!

Because of the interactive nature of the workshops, the number of seats per session is limited. 
Sign up now so you can secure your spot! The session will be recorded for viewing later.

* Discount available for groups of 10 or more, paid in one invoice. I'm thinking of Pony Club groups, barn groups, competitors from a riding club, or people from a particular show or event group (for example, competitive trail riders). Send me a quick email to discuss details at fwdnrnd@gmail.com *

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I understand that even if I miss the session, I will get all the downloads and the video recording so I can do the workshop in my own time.