Riding is more than a sport—it’s an emotional rollercoaster. One minute, you’re nailing every jump. The next? Your horse is spooking at a stray plastic bag like it’s a ghost. But that’s the beauty of it. Riding teaches you how to handle the highs and the lows. It teaches patience, persistence, and—let’s be honest—a good sense of humor. So, the next time you’re stuck on the “down” part of the ride, remember: It’s all part of the journey. And the journey? That’s where the magic happens.
This book, Stride Forward: A Rider’s Journey Through Anxiety and the Mindful Path to Confidence, helps readers develop their “brush box” or “tool kit” for managing difficult emotions like anxiety, fear, and lack of self-esteem so they can thrive in a beautiful but brutal sport. This book is especially designed for youth, teens, and young adults who find it challenging to balance academics and equine sports and who face anxiety, burnout, and self-doubt daily, but with the right tools, these obstacles can be transformed into opportunities for growth and resilience.
Potential readers, ask yourself, do you:
Constantly strive to excel but still feel inadequate?
Avoid risks or new challenges due to a fear of failure?
Feel overwhelmed by your busy schedule, losing the joy you once found in school or riding?
You’re not alone. These struggles are common among high-achieving teens, but this book helps all readers turn their anxiety into confidence, rediscover their joy, and claim inner peace. This guide is designed to give readers practical, proven strategies to support themselves so they thrive emotionally, academically, and athletically. Each section is built on actionable insights to help you boldly Stride Forward.
Dr. Kirstie Lynn Dobbs is an educator, researcher, and lifelong equestrian with more than 20 years of experience in the saddle. She is the creator of the Stride Forward Program, where she blends academic expertise with her passion for horses to help teens cultivate emotional resilience, self-confidence, and balance. Dr. Dobbs has guided countless young riders in overcoming anxiety, building confidence, and thriving in and out of the arena. The Stride Forward Program empowers equestrian teens to strengthen their mindset and achieve lasting growth in just 90 days. She also hosts barn-based wellness retreats designed to support equestrians of all ages in reaching their goals while nurturing well-being in every aspect of life.
Riding is more than a sport—it’s an emotional rollercoaster. One minute, you’re nailing every jump. The next? Your horse is spooking at a stray plastic bag like it’s a ghost. But that’s the beauty of it. Riding teaches you how to handle the highs and the lows. It teaches patience, persistence, and—let’s be honest—a good sense of humor. So, the next time you’re stuck on the “down” part of the ride, remember: It’s all part of the journey. And the journey? That’s where the magic happens.
This book, Stride Forward: A Rider’s Journey Through Anxiety and the Mindful Path to Confidence, helps readers develop their “brush box” or “tool kit” for managing difficult emotions like anxiety, fear, and lack of self-esteem so they can thrive in a beautiful but brutal sport. This book is especially designed for youth, teens, and young adults who find it challenging to balance academics and equine sports and who face anxiety, burnout, and self-doubt daily, but with the right tools, these obstacles can be transformed into opportunities for growth and resilience.
Potential readers, ask yourself, do you:
Constantly strive to excel but still feel inadequate?
Avoid risks or new challenges due to a fear of failure?
Feel overwhelmed by your busy schedule, losing the joy you once found in school or riding?
You’re not alone. These struggles are common among high-achieving teens, but this book helps all readers turn their anxiety into confidence, rediscover their joy, and claim inner peace. This guide is designed to give readers practical, proven strategies to support themselves so they thrive emotionally, academically, and athletically. Each section is built on actionable insights to help you boldly Stride Forward.
Dr. Kirstie Lynn Dobbs is an educator, researcher, and lifelong equestrian with more than 20 years of experience in the saddle. She is the creator of the Stride Forward Program, where she blends academic expertise with her passion for horses to help teens cultivate emotional resilience, self-confidence, and balance. Dr. Dobbs has guided countless young riders in overcoming anxiety, building confidence, and thriving in and out of the arena. The Stride Forward Program empowers equestrian teens to strengthen their mindset and achieve lasting growth in just 90 days. She also hosts barn-based wellness retreats designed to support equestrians of all ages in reaching their goals while nurturing well-being in every aspect of life.
