Team Gwalter

Never been so proud. My wife hauling our house to Oak ridge

Nikki Gwalter

Well, it's been a minute - but in our defence, we have been super busy!

It's officially that time of year - the shows have stopped and it's time to get life admin completed!

Starting with redecorating my office and building a saddle rack

(I hate storing the saddles in the lorry over winter due to damp and mould)

So, 8am I enlisted the help of the site manager (mollie) and off to Selco we went

300 quid and a few hours later - we have a unique saddle rack

feeling chuffed!

It's true - with over 65 subscribers so far this is the hottest event in the calendar right now.

Wow!!

I’ve just heard that this online event is the most subscribed online event the Western Equestrian Society has ever had… no pressure eh?

Last chance to get registered and come have a chat

https://no-nonsense-leadership.webinargeek.com/meet-the-pro

It’s going to be a fun evening!

Sometimes when you're not sure what to do - the best thing to do is just sit & listen

So today that's my plan

No pressure
Not trying to teach a thing

Just being here is enough for both of us

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Em Sinclair Perry, Richard Moore, Cheyenne Kuhn, Meg Chwedorzewska, Karen Llewellyn, Joe Midgley, Louisa Allen, Mike O'brien, Dawn Roberts, Lorraine Stanley

After the last few shows, I came to a realisation.

Underpinning all the training, all the lessons, all the hours in the saddle - I’ve been looking at the wrong thing.

→ I thought I wanted to learn how to ride.
↳ What I actually needed was to learn how to listen.

Because when I slow down enough to really see George, I realise that so much of what happens in the show pen is just an echo of what’s happening in his heart.

I used to think the tension, the resistance, the need to get back to the collecting pen were things to be corrected.

Now I realise they’re things to be 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗱.

• When we walk into the arena and he fights to turn back, it isn’t defiance - it’s fear of being left.

• When he raises his head and loses softness, it isn’t attitude - it’s anxiety.

• When he weaves in the stable or ties himself emotionally to another horse too quickly, he’s not being difficult - he’s trying to find safety wherever he can.

And that changes everything.

I’ve spent months turning over every possible explanation. I’ve read, researched, and reflected. I’ve asked questions that led me to hard places - including whether this was something I could ever truly help him through.

I’ve considered every conceivable option, even the ones that break your heart to think about.

But when you strip it all back, my commitment is - and always will be - to George.

For me, he’s not a tool I bought to do a job.
He’s not a vehicle for points, placings, or pride.
He’s a soul I’m responsible for.
A teacher. A mirror.

And for every one thing I try to teach him, he teaches me a thousand things in return - about patience, empathy, humility, and grace.

So the next chapter for us isn’t about polishing patterns or collecting ribbons. It’s about rebuilding trust, one small, quiet moment at a time.

And as for Team Gwalter - this is where the story grows a little deeper.

From here on, we’ll be sharing the other side of horsemanship - the emotional, often unseen work that happens when you stop trying to train out behaviour and start trying to understand it.

Because somewhere along the way, I’ve realised that horsemanship isn’t about control.
𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

And sometimes, the bravest thing you can do for your horse is to start again - not from where you were, but from 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲.

When it was £1.50 a bale 😂 I miss those days

That’s a wrap for 2025, and what a way to finish.

Oakridge was everything a show should be — brilliant people, good horses, and a few reminders that this sport keeps us humble. George and I had our fair share of challenges (more on that another day), but the rest of Team Gwalter absolutely shone.

Mollie picked up the Small Fry High Point, Harry brought home the UKPHA High Point, and Fabi and Annie had a fantastic weekend, placing consistently across their classes.

But the biggest smile of all goes to my wife, Nikki — riding the ever-steady Roo to win the Level 1 Non-Pro High Point. Only her second show, and she rode beautifully all weekend.

Massive thanks to our extended show family — the friends who lend hands, pick us up when it goes wrong, and celebrate when it goes right.

Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Had a great time with this fearless Muppet !!!