What Can I Learn from Reflecting on My Rides?
I’ll never forget the time I froze in the saddle, my heart pounding as we walked onto the Grand Prix field.  The jumps looked taller than me. Fear took over, and for days, I replayed the ride in my mind, feeling frustrated and discouraged at filling up with so much tension, I fell off over an oxer. But then, I decided to reflect differently—not just on what went wrong, but on what I could learn. That shift changed everything. I competed for the first time on the Grand Prix field.  That is a huge accomplishment, and I had a blast over the jumps I made it over.

When we look back on our rides, it’s easy to dwell on the fearful moments. The times we felt out of control, anxious, or embarrassed. But what if, instead of seeing these experiences as failures, we saw them as lessons?  

Fearful rides hold valuable insights

Tough rides provide us with great learning and growth when we chose to use them for learning.  Wallowing in the fear and anxiety doesn't move us forward and can actually move us backward on our journey.

Instead of replaying them with frustration, ask yourself:  

- What triggered my fear? That first hint that my anxiety was growing, the trigger.  
- How did my body respond? Did I tense up, hold my breath, or grip too tightly?  
- What will I do differently next time? Maybe it’s practicing deep breathing, improving my seat, or working on confidence-building exercises with my horse.  

When we reflect with curiosity instead of self-judgment, we turn fear into a learning experience rather than a setback.  

Using Amazing Rides to Build Courage  

Just as we analyze the tough rides, we should also soak in the amazing ones. Those moments when we feel in sync with our horse, confident, and free. These rides are proof of our progress, our connection, and our ability to ride with courage.  

To make the most of them:  

- Replay them in your mind. Visualizing success builds confidence.  
- Write down what went well. What made you feel strong? What helped you stay calm?  
- Use them as motivation. The more we focus on our victories, the more they shape our mindset.  

Balance Reflection with Growth  

By learning from the hard rides and celebrating the great ones, we create a balanced perspective. Fear doesn’t define us—growth does. Every ride, no matter how it goes, is part of the journey toward becoming a more confident, capable rider.  

What if you never had to second-guess your reaction to a sudden bolt, buck, rear, or spook? Confidence in the saddle starts with having a plan. The Ultimate Rider Contingency Guide gives you clear, actionable steps so you know exactly how to handle the unexpected. Don’t leave your confidence up to chance—GRAB YOUR GUIDE NOW and ride with certainty!


0 Comments

Leave a Comment


Hey there! I’m Elise Hittinger—Fear Slayer, Confidence Creator, and your go-to Courage Coach.

 
Once upon a time, I was that fearless kid riding deep into Angeles National Forest without a second thought. Then bam—life threw me a plot twist. A horse flipped on me, pinning me beneath it, and fear crept in like an uninvited guest who wouldn’t leave.

That moment tested everything. But here’s the wild part—I walked away with only bruises and a divine reminder that I wasn’t done yet. Fear may have stolen my joy for a while, but it did not get the final say.

Fast forward to a move to Kentucky, where the trails were calling my name. I had two choices: let fear keep the reins or take them back. Spoiler alert—I took them back. Now, I help other riders (and, honestly, anyone sick of fear running their life) do the same.

I make fear pack its little bags and GTFO. Whether it’s through hypnotherapy, NLP, or a little well-placed humor, I help people trade anxiety for confidence, doubt for courage, and overthinking for action.

So, if you’re ready to kick fear to the curb and rediscover the joy you deserve—I’m here for it. Let’s do this.

Contact

Copyrights © 2025 held by respective copyright holders, including Elise Hittinger.