AERA
MINDFUL RIDING
AS A SPORT
For competitive riders who care deeply about their horse’s experience.
Are you riding at grassroots level in Dressage, Show Jumping, or Eventing and finding yourself questioning the methods around you?
Do you still love the thrill of sport, but wish there was a more thoughtful way to train—one that puts the horse's well-being at the heart of the process?
This programme is for riders like you. Riders who aren’t ready to walk away from competition—but are ready to do it differently.
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Henley on Thames, RG9
Marlow, Buckingamshire
West London, UB5
WHAT TO EXPECT?
A new way to pursue your goals
AERA Mindful Riding as a Sport is a 3-month pathway for those ready to shift from training to compete to training to educate the horse—developing physical fitness, mental clarity, and emotional resilience that prepare your horse, ethically and incrementally, for the demands of competition.
You’ll still school, still stretch your skills, and still ride with ambition. But you’ll do so through the lens of partnership, awareness, and curiosity.
What’s included:
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Weekly lessons that explore the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of training
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Focus on rider self-awareness—your position, habits, and internal state
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Progressive schooling plans designed to build your horse’s understanding of the challenges of competitions
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Ongoing coach support to help you stay aligned with your values and adapt as needed
Duration & Format
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3-month training cycle
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Monthly membership payment
A note from me:
For over a decade, sport was my world. I worked with international and Olympic-level riders and was drawn to the athleticism and challenge of competitive horse training. But slowly, I grew disillusioned. Despite the frequent use of “horse first” language, I struggled to see it consistently lived out.
For a while, I stepped away from teaching competitive riders altogether. But now, I’m returning—with a new mindset, clearer values, and a fresh perspective. I believe it is possible to pursue sporting goals with integrity, and I’d love to explore that with you.
This programme is still something of an experiment—a bold and hopeful attempt to find where the needs of the horse and the ambitions of the rider can genuinely align.
If you’ve been wondering whether competition and meeting horse's needs can coexist, I’d love you to join me on this journey.
Looking forward to meeting you and your horse!
Wiola
