Each month, we will be profiling one of our Strides Student Members, so everyone can get to know each other a little! This month, we’ve chosen Janet Brooks, who is from Southeastern Marco Island, Florida, USA!
How long have you been a member of Strides? 18 months
What’s your favorite part of Strides? The lectures give me the intellectual basis and the videos give me the “how to” methods. Both work together to increase my skills. The Ride A Test was awesome. Amelia has built an amazing and supportive team and community.
How has Strides helped you? Focusing on the training scale has given me the basics I’ve been looking for in my riding. Strides has helped me change up my riding from boring circles to focused exercises.
What kind of horses are your favorite? My current Connemara/Irish sport horse mix makes me so happy. I love a horse who is willing to work with me, keeps me safe and tries what I ask even if we don’t get it right.
What’s your goal for this year? I’d like to do another Ride A Test and get more forward and bend in my ride.
What is something unique about you, your journey or your horse? I’ve been riding on and off since I was 10. I started riding western in Arizona and then took a 35 year break. I’ve done hunter/jumper, low level eventing and now dressage. I love that there’s still something to learn even when I’m 66. I hope to do a century ride someday!
What achievement (with horses or not) you most proud of? In 2018, after recovering from a broken pelvis, I did a ride in the Andes of Patagonia. It was amazing, overwhelming and frightening. I love traveling internationally to ride. In 2022 I joined a group riding around the Loire Valley from chateau to chateau. This year I’ll head to Ireland and England. It’s scary to ride in new places on new horses but I’m proud that I keep doing it
What challenges have you overcome? I never broke a bone until my 50s when I took a bad fall. I’ve now broken my collar bone and my pelvis. Overcoming the fear has been a challenge. But I’m helped by kind horses and understanding people.
Any final thoughts? Team Amelia is such an open inclusive space. I am proud to be a part of it all.
