Hidden Gem Equine

07/21/2026

Join us!!

07/20/2026

Beautifully said

It’s easy to forget just how dangerous our sport is.

We jump into the saddle without a second thought, heading out for a hack, schooling in the arena, travelling to lessons, clinics, and competitions, rarely pausing to consider that, each time, there is a chance we might not come home.

We don't dwell on that, we can't. If we did, we’d never ride at all, but weekends like this bring that reality into sharp, heartbreaking focus.

Every time we put a foot in the stirrup or a hand on the reins, we accept a risk, and because of that, we owe it to ourselves to live fully. Not cautiously holding back, not giving 75%, but to jump in with both feet, to dream unrealistically, to make mistakes and bounce back, and to be intentional in all we do.

The talented lives that were lost at the weekend were lost in pursuit of something those riders loved deeply. That doesn’t soften the grief or make it easier for those who knew and loved them, nor for the wider equestrian community. But perhaps, in time, there may be some quiet comfort in knowing they were doing what set their souls alight, under blue skies, looking between a pair of ears.

For now, though, we’re reminded, starkly and painfully, that tomorrow is never guaranteed and that the sport we choose, the sport we love, is not a safe one.

And yet, we ride anyway.

So don't live small. Be brave, be present, say the things that matter, take up space, let your passions lead and make sure every time you put a foot in that stirrup and look between those ears, you remember that life is precious, but it is also fragile, so you live it the best you possibly can.

-

Sending love and strength to the families and loved ones of Kerry and Sophie.

Immediate support is available for everyone affected.
Riders Minds offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
Tel: 0800 088 2073
Text: 07480 488 103
Live webchat: https://ridersminds.org/

07/20/2026

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗶𝘀...
"𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝗜 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴?" 🤔

Most riders never find the answer because they're constantly doing something. They're adjusting the reins, squeezing with the leg, changing the contact or trying to place the horse at every fence.

The problem with that approach is you'll never discover what your horse actually needs from you. You might think your horse needs more hand when, in reality, they simply needed a better turn. You might think they need more leg when they actually needed you to stop getting involved and allow them to travel.

The less unnecessary riding you do, the easier it becomes to recognise the moments that genuinely matter.

That's when your aids become quieter, your horse becomes more confident and riding starts to feel much simpler. 🐴

👇 What's something you've stopped doing that's improved your riding?
🐴 Tag someone who always tries to help their horse a little too much.

07/19/2026

Hidden Gem’s Fall (+ late summer) show schedule 📆

07/14/2026

In early June our group travelled to MI for Revel Run HT. We love this venue! Huge thank you to the owners, sponsors, organizers, and volunteers for putting on these great events! We took a big group this year. Some had great runs, some got ribbons, some got good scores that still landed them low in the placings. Some had learning experiences. Some had trouble; falls, stops, rails. For some it wasn’t their day and they opted to retire. This is the reality of horse sport. Everyone made decisions coming from a horse first place demonstrating how to be a good horseman and a good sportsman whether they got a ribbon or ended on a letter. For me that is the success and the win!

Congratulations to those that had it all together for the weekend and got to finish on a score.

🚀Lindsey Howland and Apollo Rocket
3rd Open Training So good it was almost boring

🦇Dory Tuohey and Pinnacle
9th Starter They cantered!

🦭Annabelle Friend and Puddle’CZ
Open Beg Novice with a clear XC and a pretty good dressage score for this really perfect Puds.

🦈Carson Tazzioli and Hey Siri
Novice Rider with a clear xc and one of her best dressage rides! SJ on the grass was a different feel for this game mare to jump on.

A few weeks later we joined Carson and Brick Lane Farm at the IHJA B show at Ledges. Dory Touhey and Pinnacle rocked around the Modified Ch/Ad jumpers. This new pair relished the great atmosphere to learn so much about each other! Congrats to the Gable family and Carson for lots of great rounds!

06/25/2026

Handsome Henry got to be a therapy unicorn yesterday visiting residents at a nursing home. This is Henry’s dream job. Pets, adoration, and carrots with green tops! Glad he could sub in for Oakley, Brittany Baloun!

06/18/2026

Read it again

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿. 🐴

It comes from knowing that when you ask your horse to wait, they will.

Too many riders worry about how it looks.

The best riders worry about whether it works.

If coming back to walk makes the exercise easier, do it.

If your horse needs more clarity, give it.

𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿.

When your horse trusts your decisions, cross-country starts to feel simple.

And that's when confidence becomes easy. ✨

Save this for when you need to hear it!

Tag a rider who needs this reminder 👇

05/21/2026

We had a great time at May Daze this weekend!
The courses were challenging but fair with beautiful new jumps. Really great use of terrain at the lower levels. Thank you to the organizers, sponsors, and volunteers for handling such a huge show so well and with storm delays.

🚀 Lindsey Howland and Apollo Rocket had their first run of the season, with FOD for the win at training horse.

🐝🦭Anabelle Friend piloted her 2 green mares around superbly. Puddle’CZ for 3rd in Open BNov and Best Cause for 4th in Open Novice.

🦈Carson Taziolli and Hey Siri had a brave runaround CrossCountry in Open Novice.

🦇Dory Tuohey debut on her new horse, Pinnacle for an educational run around intro. He was so brave, jumping around the tack and handling all of the chaos that is the KHP.

05/16/2026

This horse is so brave and honest! Really loves cross country!