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 Linda Veraghen, who is from Southeastern Michigan, USA!
How long have you been a member of Strides? From the beginning! When it was called “Amelia’s Dressage Academy”
What’s your favorite part of Strides? This is hard to narrow down. I love that every month I am being equipped with lectures and video instruction with targeted exercises that help me and my horse to steadily improve. And I truly love that Amelia and her hand selected coaches and trainers INCLUDING her FAMILY treat all of us with care and respect.
How has Strides helped you? Strides has helped me to know that I need to have a plan each time I am with my horse – whether it is to ride or to work in hand with him. Strides equips me with carefully thought through instruction to intelligently and safely train my horse. It’s like I’m not just a rider but a trainer of my horse.
What kind of horses are your favorite? I have a heart for the horses who no one thought would be worthwhile to keep alive (let alone train) but that turn into smart and willing partners that feel so good to ride and learn everything you teach – oh gosh, I’m describing my Arabian Cross, Asher.
What’s your goal for this year? My goal for 2024 is to improve my fitness (thanks Amelia for insisting that we do focus on this) and stay faithfully committed to riding 4 or more days per week. I want to help Asher stay strong and balanced and healthy : to be connected and even collected and light and magical feeling in my hands. I want to appreciate every day with him.
What is something unique about you, your journey or your horse? I don’t know if this is unique but I didn’t start riding until I was 58 and got my horse on my 60th birthday. I didn’t know anything about riding and was pretty awful until I found Amelia 7 years later. That’s when everything changed for Asher and me. I love dressage because of Amelia and Strides and every Masterclass and challenge I’ve taken. This has made riding such a joy.
What achievement (with horses or not) you most proud of? Not so much proud but grateful that I am understanding and experiencing connection. I can ask my horse and he understands and carries himself.
What challenges have you overcome? I have overcome discouragement. I see when my thinking is getting “off” and I redirect it usually with gratitude.
Any final thoughts? Thank you for such a high standard of excellence. Thank you for the way you treat everyone. Thank you for not giving up along the way. Thank you for teaching so much more than a n y o n e else has ever cared to.
