06/16/2026
After 20 years away from riding, Lindsay won National Championship, Bronze World Medal, and Multiple State Championships. And we haven't even finished the bootcamp.
Before coaching, list 2-3 of the greatest challenges in your life at that time.
1. Returning to riding and competition after nearly 20 years away from the sport. I wanted to compete at a high level, but I was carrying old limiting beliefs from my past as well as new doubts about whether I could still achieve the goals I had set for myself.
2. Managing performance pressure and confidence in the show pen. I often put unnecessary pressure on myself and struggled to fully trust my preparation, which sometimes prevented me from performing at my best.
3. Balancing the demands of a leadership role, family responsibilities, and competitive riding goals. I was constantly trying to excel in multiple areas of life and often found it difficult to be fully present in any one of them.
How were the above problems impacting your life (list as many as you can recall)?
• Increased stress and mental fatigue.
• Difficulty staying present in the moment.
• Overthinking before and during competitions.
• Allowing mistakes to linger longer than they should.
• Feeling like I always had to prove myself through results.
• Struggling to fully enjoy accomplishments before moving on to the next challenge.
• Bringing unnecessary pressure into situations that should have been enjoyable.
• Inconsistency in my confidence, even when I had done the work and was prepared.
What finally had you say "enough is enough" that inspired you to work with a coach?
I realized that I had invested heavily in improving my horses, my riding skills, and my professional development, but I had not invested the same level of attention into the mental side of performance.
I had also been away from serious riding and competition for nearly 20 years. When I returned to the show pen, I found myself carrying both old limiting beliefs from my earlier riding experiences and new ones that were developing from being away so long. I questioned whether I could compete at the level I wanted, whether I had started again too late, and whether I truly belonged in highly competitive classes.
I knew I had more potential than I was consistently accessing in the arena, and I wanted to develop the mindset and tools necessary to compete at a higher level. More importantly, I wanted to stop allowing those limiting beliefs to dictate what was possible for me and start performing in a way that reflected my actual capabilities and preparation.
What was one of your favorite aspects of coaching?
One of my favorite aspects was that the coaching was both practical and actionable. It wasn't just theory. I left sessions with specific tools I could apply immediately in competition and in everyday life. Nancy helped me recognize patterns that were holding me back and replace them with habits that supported confidence, focus, and performance.
What I appreciated most was that she was not simply there to make me feel good about myself. Nancy held me accountable. She challenged my thinking, pushed me to do the work, and expected me to apply what I was learning. The goal was never to artificially boost confidence or convince me I was better than I was. The goal was to create real improvement, and that accountability is a big reason I was able to achieve meaningful results both in and out of the show pen.
Since coaching, what are some of the tangible results you've experienced in your life?
• I compete with greater confidence and trust in my preparation.
• I am more focused on ex*****on and the present moment rather than worrying about outcomes.
• I recover more quickly from mistakes and setbacks.
• I enjoy showing more and spend less time second-guessing myself.
• I have developed a healthier relationship with success, allowing myself to appreciate accomplishments before immediately moving on to the next goal.
• The tools I learned have positively impacted not only my riding but also my career, leadership, and personal life.
The results have been both measurable and meaningful. During our time working together, I won a National Championship, multiple State Championships, and earned a Bronze World Championship title. While those accomplishments are certainly a source of pride, what I value most is the growth I have experienced this year as a competitor and an "Equestrian Rockstar".
One of the things that makes Nancy different is that she does not simply tell you what you want to hear or try to make you feel better in the moment. She challenges you, holds you accountable, and gives you practical tools that create real change. The goal is not artificial confidence. The goal is growth, performance, and results.
I compete in western events, which is not Nancy's primary
discipline. At first I wasn't sure whether that would matter. What I learned is that I didn't need another riding coach. I needed someone who could help me manage the pressure, expectations, and limiting beliefs that were affecting my performance. Those challenges aren't unique to western riding, and that's why her coaching was so effective. The lessons translated not only to the show pen, but also to my career, leadership responsibilities, and family life.
Nancy has given me tools that I will continue to use long after our coaching relationship ends. She helped me become a stronger competitor, but more importantly, a better version of myself. That combination of personal growth and performance is what makes her coaching so impactful.
See less
