Wow! My team and I have watched hundreds of Sitting Trot videos over the last several days. I am so incredibly proud of each and every one of the participants for giving their best effort to the Sitting Trot challenge. Whether you had a huge transformation and came out in the top 10, made the honorable mention list, or you ran into unexpected roadblocks that slowed your progress, I want you to congratulate everyone for getting out there, learning, and doing something different. Even if you think that you didn’t make progress this month, I am sure that you have planted a few seeds that will bloom and grow!

Here are a few of my observations from watching the videos:

The horses look happier! Overall your horses are more forward, steadier and softer in the “after” videos. Isn’t it incredible how when you work on your position and your seat your horse improves?

Your Rider Position has improved. Everyone is sitting up taller, heels are down, hips and back are moving with the horse and cores looks stronger. Of course, we all still need to constantly work to improve our rider position – but wow! What a difference a month with focused attention on your position can make!

You’re Riding with a Plan: In the after videos I see more of you with a plan. You’re riding the exercises and working on getting your horse more supple. This is so much better than wandering aimlessly around the arena. Continue to work on post 3, sit 3, the Snowman and the ice cream cone exercises.

You have a positive attitude: Everyone’s positive attitude made this fun! Many of you experienced a setback, had rainy weather or a horse injury but it was how you coped with the setback that matters. Sometimes you have to pivot and adjust your plan, and that is ok. Training a horse is a long and slow process. Enjoy and love your horse.

What a successful Sitting Trot Challenge! Thanks to each and every one of you for all of your support and encouragement in the Facebook group. I love the incredible and supportive community that we share.

Nicole from my team put together this awesome video to celebrate your progress. Check it out here.

And here are our winners!

Remember: The winners were not decided by who can sit the best sitting trot with the most invisible aids, it’s about who learned and showed the most improvement over the set period of time.

The $10,000+ prize purse is split as follows:

1st Place: $5,000

2-3rd Place: $1,000 each

4th-10th Place: $430 each

First Place: Anette Marten

Second Place: Jill Davis

Third Place: Electra Stafford

Fourth Place Marissa O’Leary

Fifth Place: Loralie Alberts

Sixth Place: Karen Fant

Seventh Place: Annelie Post

Eighth Place: Chasity Sultzbaugh

Ninthe Place: Maureen Brock

Tenth Place: Sandra Kunkel

Honorable Mentions:

• Debra Perrin: She started the challenge after her and her horse not riding for a year due to both her and her horse being out. Her bravery and dedication is admirable.
• Ann Lyons: rode almost every day through the challenge! Great commitment!
• Arielle Goldberg: showed some great self assessment and reflection throughout the challenge
• Tammy Carlson: who participated in all the mini challenges
• Claire Higdon: who got one of her smoothest transitions from trot to canter during the challenge. She attributes that to working on her rider position.
• Jamie Tolliver: Limited by her time in the saddle (using a riding school horse) but didn’t let that stop her from making progress and being a positive member of the community
• Juliette Matis who was a positive supporter in the comments of the facebook group
• Xena Kathryn Meehan: Expressing that her big improvement is confidence and that education allowed her to have that.
• Helen Andrews: Did her first ever 1-3 test.
• Lakshmi Nair: Challenge gave her the confidence to take on new things, she even did a jump.

I am so proud of you, thank you for making this challenge so special. I look forward to working with you again in the future.