mind | ful | ness (Noun): A mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.
The Oxford Dictionary
Mindfulness is the fertile ground on which this learning happens, and together with compassion – both for yourself and your horse – being a Mindful Rider can lead you on a journey of self-discovery, that from personal experience, can be life-changing.
Learning has been a life-long preoccupation of mine. Despite working my way through the coaching accreditation system in three countries – the UK, South Africa and Australia – I still felt there was something missing from the way riding was taught.
When introduced to Mary Wanless’ work on the bio-mechanics of the rider, I realised that I had discovered the missing piece of the puzzle.
My search for knowledge has been as much about my own riding, as that of my students, so I have a great empathy for mindful riders who are striving to be best version of themselves that they can be. I am the forever student, who hopes never to stop learning.
After teaching for more than 40 years I have combined 15yrs plus experience as a RWYM level 2 Mastery Coach, with NLP Qualifications and my knowledge as an EA and SANEF level coach, to form the “The Mindful Rider”.
“Talent is not a thing, which the rider either has or has not, but a certain way of approaching learning, where you perceive what happens between you and the horse, discover what works and what does not, and choose to do the things which work.” Mary Wanless
This is the essence of the RWYM™ system of coaching and learning and the basis of Ann’s coaching. A RWYM™ will break down the physical techniques used by elite riders into individual components, which can then be adopted by everyday riders.
You can find out more about Mary Wanless and Ride With Your Mind here http://www.mary-wanless.com
Combing RWYM™with NLP Practitioner training, Ann will also be able to help you to achieve your goals, overcome blocks and help you create a well-formed goal for the future, create resources to help you get to your desired state and clear any blocks, limits and interferences which may stand in your way. She may be able to help you with: increasing self confidence, self-esteem, self-belief and self-worth, anxiety, negative emotions, fears/phobias and self-doubt ; changing beliefs, strategies, thought patterns, behaviour patterns, and more. To learn more about NLP see here https://abnlp.org.au
Ann is constantly expanding her own knowledge-base by learning from other specialists in the fields of rider coaching and mindfulness and biomechanics of both the horse and the rider.
Ann’s Accreditations:
- Ride With Your Mind™ Level 2 Mastery Coach (UK)
- NLP Practitioner (Australia)
- SANEF Level 2 Coach (South Africa)
- EA Level 2 Coach (Australia) – De-registered Nov 2018
- EA Level D Dressage Judge (Australia) – Retired 2014
- BHS Horsemaster (UK)
- Senior First Aid Certificate (Australia)
Call or email Ann and ask for guidance based on your individual circumstances.