Winning, Teaching, and Training: Choosing the Right Guidance for You and Your Horse

When it comes to learning, growing, and thriving in the equestrian world, one thing becomes clear pretty quickly: Not all guidance is created equal.

Some people shine in the competition ring but struggle to explain how they got there. Some are incredible at training horses but have a hard time communicating with riders. And others? They strike that rare balance of performer, trainer, and coach.

But how do you know who to trust with your time, money, and—most importantly—your horse's and your own growth?

This blog explores six key distinctions to help you reflect on your experiences and make informed choices.

🏆 1. Winning Isn’t Teaching

Success in the competition ring doesn’t automatically translate to success in the coaching arena.

🏇 Performing success is about executing under pressure, showcasing skill, and achieving results.

🎓 Teaching success is about breaking those skills down, communicating them clearly, and guiding someone else to replicate them.

Some riders have a natural ability—they just know how to make things happen. But when asked to explain it, they can’t. Others have worked painstakingly for every step of their journey, analyzing, studying, and experimenting. These riders are often better teachers because they understand how they got there.

Reflection: Have you ever worked with someone who excelled in one area but struggled in the other? What was the difference in your experience?

🐎 2. Competition: Goal or Training Ground?

What’s your mindset when you enter the competition ring?

🏅 Some riders see competition as the end goal. The ribbons, the results—that’s what matters most.

🛠️ Others see competition as a training ground, a place to test progress, refine skills, and expose weaknesses in a constructive way.

When competition becomes an end in itself, there’s a risk of taking shortcuts and compromising foundational principles. But when it’s approached as an opportunity to grow, even an “elimination” can feel like success.

Reflection: Do you approach competitions with a results-driven mindset, or as a chance to test your training?

🧠 3. Teaching Success vs. Performing Success

Performing well and teaching well aren’t just different—they're wildly different skills.

🏆 A performer knows how to ride the perfect round.

🧠 A teacher knows how to guide you to ride the perfect round.

Great teachers can look at a rider, spot the smallest adjustment needed, and communicate it clearly. They guide riders to lightbulb moments without needing to jump on the horse themselves.

But not every coach can do this. Sometimes, a lesson can become more about them showing off their skills than about you learning yours.

Reflection: Have you ever felt empowered by a teacher who unlocked your confidence and skills? Or frustrated by one who couldn’t bridge the gap between what they could do and what you could learn?

🏇 4. Competitor, Trainer, or Coach?

These three roles are often blended together in the horse world, but they’re actually very distinct:

1️⃣ Competitor: Shines under pressure and delivers results in the ring.

2️⃣ Trainer: Educates and refines the horse, building skills from the ground up.

3️⃣ Coach: Communicates with riders, offering clear guidance and problem-solving strategies.

It’s rare to find someone who excels in all three. And that’s okay! The key is identifying what you need.

Need better competition results? Look for a strong competitor.

Need help training your horse? Find an experienced trainer.

Need to grow your skills as a rider? Seek out an effective coach.

Reflection: Who has made the biggest difference in your riding journey? Someone who trained your horse? Someone who taught you? Or someone who somehow blended all three seamlessly?

🐎 5. Training Horses vs. Teaching Riders

These are two very different skill sets, and a coach needs to know when to step back and let you learn.

As a young coach, I used to hop on horses when a rider couldn’t get something right. I’d fix the issue, hand the horse back, and hope the rider could replicate it. But I realized something important:

🐴 If I fix the horse, the rider hasn’t learned.

🧠 My role is to guide the rider to fix the issue themselves.

I’ve also noticed how fragile rider confidence can be. If a coach jumps on and “fixes” things too often, the rider might start to feel inadequate. Occasionally, seeing that the horse can do it helps—but more often, it’s disheartening.

Reflection: Have you ever left a lesson feeling like you’d gained tools to improve? Or did you feel like your coach was just showcasing their own skills?

🤔 6. Choosing the Right Coach, Trainer, or Clinician

When it comes to choosing the right guidance, it’s worth asking:

🧐 What are your prerequisites? Reputation, results, communication style, alignment with your values?

💭 What happens if you realise halfway through that it’s not the right fit?

Great clinicians and coaches need three things:

1️⃣ The ability to connect with and teach the audience.

2️⃣ The ability to guide riders.

3️⃣ Clear and authentic communication.

When all three align, it’s magic. When one is missing, the experience can fall flat.

Reflection: How do you choose who to trust with your growth? What questions do you ask yourself before committing to a coach, trainer, or clinician?

🎯 Final Thoughts: Finding the Right Guidance

At the end of the day, good coaching, training, and mentorship aren’t just about results—they’re about clarity, connection, and confidence.

A great coach doesn’t just fix problems; they teach you to identify and solve them yourself.

A great trainer doesn’t just ride well; they set your horse up for long-term success.

A great mentor doesn’t just win ribbons; they help you build trust, skill, and joy in your partnership with your horse.

Reflection: What’s your biggest takeaway from these six points? Have you ever had a standout experience—good or bad—that shaped how you choose guidance now?

I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below and let’s chat!

Thank you so much for being here!
Until next time,
Merindah