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Mindset in the Saddle: How Your Thoughts Are Shaping Every Ride | The Amateur's Advantage

Season #1

This week on The Amateur's Advantage, Laura Ashley sits down with Krista Kehoe — life coach for equestrians and 40-year dressage rider — to explore the powerful and often overlooked role that mindset plays in every ride. Together, they unpack why riders can invest in all the lessons, clinics, and training in the world, yet still find themselves stuck in the same patterns — and how shifting the way you think can unlock results that no amount of extra ride time alone can produce. From scarcity mindsets and self-judgment in the warm-up ring to learning how to emotionally regulate before you even put your foot in the stirrup, this conversation bridges the gap between what's happening in the saddle and everything happening in life outside of it. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome at a show, wrestling with perfectionism, or simply want to get more out of every training session, Krista's practical tools and frameworks will help you ride with more clarity, confidence, and intention. If you've ever felt like your brain is getting in the way of your riding — this episode is for you.  

What You'll Learn:

  • Why your thoughts — not your circumstances — are creating your results in and out of the saddle
  • How the pressure and stress you carry into the barn directly affects your horse's behavior
  • The simple five-step "Model" framework for identifying the mindset patterns quietly running your rides
  • What "emotional adulthood" really means and why suppressing your feelings isn't the same as managing them
  • How strategic pessimism (WPOs — Worst Possible Outcomes) can actually build your confidence and resilience
  • The difference between a fixed mindset and an open one — and how it might be standing between you and your next goal
  • Why knowing your purpose for each ride changes everything about how you show up

Resources + Mentions:

Krista’s Clear Goals Worksheet: https://bit.ly/RideWithClearGoals

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