Each month, we will be profiling one of our Strides Student Members, so everyone can get to know each other a little! This month, let’s get to know Deidre from Western Victoria, Australia
How long have you been a member of Strides?
I joined after the November 24 30DTR
What’s your favorite part of Strides?
It’s hard to pick a favourite part but I love the video reviews – both mine and others. So instructional but also I love the positivity of the Team with all riders of all abilities.
How has Strides helped you achieve your goals or work through challenges?
I have private lessons at least once a month with some very good instructors. But what I found is I would go well in the lesson and then forget everything. Each lesson was like starting over again, with no continuity or consistency. Strides has given me such a great progressive framework. I’ve seen dramatic improvements since joining Strides both with my horse and also my riding.
Tell us more about your horse:
Sienna is a 15.2 warmblood riding pony cross. I started leasing her about 18 months ago. She had not done much for 6 years when I got her. So I found myself with a hot, opinionated huge moving mare. Never had one of those before….so a big learning curve for me. We were going along okay but her stressed behaviour at competitions was an ongoing challenge. Thanks to Strides I’ve got some good strategies to manage that and we are frequently in the winners circle. I now own Sienna and am looking forward to our future together.
What’s your goal for the next year?
We are about to go up a level in dressage which I’m excited about! I now have to learn sitting trot and lateral work which I’ve never done before. So getting those established is a big goal. And we have started jumping so my goal there is to compete at 60cm.
What is something unique about you, your journey or your horse?
I have bad osteoarthritis and have had two hip replacements. I gave up riding at 15, had a brief disastrous foray back in my 30s and decided “now or never” in my 50s. I’ve had some major setbacks including severe anxiety after a fall when I couldn’t go faster than a trot for 12 months. I also had competition anxiety so bad I stopped competing. But there’s just something about horses I can’t let go so here I am!
Final thoughts. Anything else you wish to share here!
I am so humbled to be selected as Member of the Month. There are so many worthy Strides members out there who fill the group with so much support and have a genuine interest in others. This truly is a unique group and the joy and positivity everyone in Team Amelia displays is so special. Thank you everyone for being part of my journey.
