Speaker: Claire Self, Dressage Rider
What did you come to me for help with?
Claire Self: Hi Sam. Well, I came to you because as I was getting older, I found myself losing confidence in riding, and it was taking the pleasure away. And I'd just started looking for a new horse, and had gone out on a trial and I had a bad fall. And yeah, I wasn't quite sure how I was gonna get over it.
And how has working with me helped you?
Claire Self: This course helped me in, in so many ways. You know, I'd lost so much confidence, I really couldn't see it coming back. You know, I'd been out and, you know, done the you know, tried a few horses and just, you know, was really struggling to even get on a horse after my fall. I learned so so much about myself, you know, insights that my anxiety that I assured you was absolutely only in riding, probably wasn't only in riding. And when we dug into it, sure, it was, you know, there in, in other areas of my life, and I've just never really been aware of it. So learning to identify that, learning what to do about it, and know that I do have the ability to kind of improve myself and I don't have to be in this space. It's just been, it's just been a game changer. You know, the horse I ended up buying, I bought a horse sight unseen. Like that's not me. I do not do that stuff. But you know, I did. I bought a horse sight unseen, and after 4 days of having it at home, I couldn't help myself. I was like, I'm getting on this horse and I'm riding this horse and I was excited to get on that horse and ride him, not scared. Sure, a little bit of apprehension, but I was excited to do it and I was confident enough to do it. Didn't need to wait for my instructor to come around or anything like that. And you know, I'd never have been able to do that, without you Sam. You know, I went to a clinic recently and had an experience that wasn't the best. First day was great. On the second day, my horse just decided that, he didn't really have any brakes and he wasn't going to stop. In the past, I would have panicked and probably wouldn't have got back on the horse for the rest of the clinic, and I'd have been in tears. And I wasn't. And I was able to ride that horse, and I was able to ride through the challenge of him not stopping. He wasn't running off with me or anything like that. He just wasn't stopping. I was able to calmly process my thoughts and work through, how to get to a safe resolution, and the next day, I was able to get back on that horse and I was able to complete the clinic. And when my instructor said to me after we did a bit of walk and trot work, she said, you know, so what do you think about having a canter? Now she knows me and she knew that the old me would have said, well, maybe not now, maybe we'll leave it till later. How about I leave it till I get home? And I would have had every excuse in the book not to do it. But this version of me, this version that you've helped me find. We were able to do it, and I was so happy, and I'm so happy knowing that. I can work through these challenges and challenges will come up and I'll be able to work through them, and I am so excited to see where we can get. It's just, it's reopened my world and opened new doors for me. And yeah, I'm so, so happy I did it.
What would you say to anyone thinking of working with me?
Claire Self: If you're thinking about doing this course and you're not sure whether it's for you. Just do it. Stop procrastinating. I tried a few courses. I tried some hypnosis. It was a, you know, one-off thing. Did it work? No, not at all. But this is different. This gives you tools that you can continue to use even after the program is finished. And, you know, Sam is there to support you every inch of the way. You know, if you're like me, you're getting older, you're losing confidence, and it's interfering with what you used to love doing, then just do it. Don't waste any more time, just do it.
