Brain Training for Riders ─ Unlock Your Riding Potential With Stressless Techniques for Conquering Fear, Improving Performance, and Finding Focused Calm

Regardless of age, experience, or ability, the truth is that those who ride horseswhether just for fun or with serious competitive aspirationsoften suffer from fear, anxiety, nervousness, and other performance blocks. According to Andrea Waldo, all are perfectly natural reactions based on how the human brain operates and its inherent patternsbut she acknowledges that riders often grow frustrated with what they know is counterproductive behavior. Waldo has a whole lot of experience with both common performance blocks and the resulting behaviors that can derail riding success. She has been a competitive rider for over 20 years, a riding instructor for 10, and was a psychotherapist for 18 with a specialty in trauma treatment and solution-oriented therapy. Tapping these qualifications, Waldo developed StressLess Ridingsimple, yet powerful exercises, and a comprehensive set of tools, to improve rider confidence and effectiveness in the saddle. This book introduces her techniques, while helping equestrians understand their emotions as an interaction between their brain chemistry and their experiences. I can then help them craft lasting solutions that improve their quality of life and success in the saddle,” says Waldo.

Andrea Waldo holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and is a riding instructor certified in 2008 by the United States Eventing Association. She is co-owner of Triple Combination Farm in Ferrisburgh, VT, where she and her two business partners train horses and riders of all ages and abilities in the sports of eventing and dressage.

Andrea currently competes through the Intermediate level in eventing, has shown through third level in dressage, and has brought along several horses from the very beginning of their training. She was also a practicing psychotherapist from 1994 until 2012 and now does StressLess Riding Performance Coaching in workshops and individual sessions with equestrians at all levels of horse sports. She remains dedicated to constant development in both her riding and psychological training by seeking out regular riding instruction and staying abreast of current literature in equestrian theory, psychology, and neuroscience.