Charlotte Conder Equestrian

horsezone.com.au

Hawke’s Bay!

EDITED: I have one available spot left on Monday 6th April at 12.30pm

I have an available space this Friday 3rd April at 4pm.
I also have 3x Monday morning appointments available, 6th of April from 8.30am to 12pm.

Please get in contact if you’d like to know more information about my services or to book in 😇

Sports massage is beneficial to improve the body’s systems, relieve muscle pain, reduce compensatory patterns, help strengthen weakened structures, and improve your horses over all health and well being 🙌

As Carl Jung wrote, “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” Settling moves you away from that becoming

Why chasing the dream with horses is a great journey either way

Chasing the dream with horses is powerful not just because of where you might end up — but because of who you become along the way.

Whether you “make it” or not, the journey reshapes you.

1. Horses Demand Presence
You can’t fake confidence with a horse.
You can’t lie about fear.
You can’t rush connection.

Horses live in the moment. To work with them, you have to drop your ego and distractions. That kind of presence is rare in modern life — and incredibly grounding.

As riders from FEI competition levels often say, the horse is the ultimate mirror. It reflects exactly what you bring into the arena.

That’s personal growth in real time.

2. You Learn Resilience the Honest Way
Horses are humbling.

You fall.

You get back up.

You think you’ve mastered something.

The next day proves you haven’t.

There’s no shortcut. No hack. No algorithm.

Even legends like Charlotte Dujardin didn’t skip the grind. The journey builds grit, patience, and emotional control — traits that transfer into every other part of life.

3. Partnership > Control
The dream with horses isn’t about domination. It’s about partnership.

Building trust with a 1,200-pound animal that could overpower you at any moment — but chooses to cooperate — teaches a deep lesson:

Respect creates power. Not force.

That lesson shapes leadership, relationships, and self-awareness.

4. The Lifestyle Changes You
Early mornings.
Cold barns.
Quiet routines.
Hard physical work.

There’s something grounding about mucking stalls before sunrise. It builds discipline without needing applause. You learn to love process over praise.

That’s rare.

5. Even If the “Big Dream” Doesn’t Happen…
Even if you never win big titles, never go pro, never reach the level you imagined:

You still gain:

Confidence

Emotional regulation

Work ethic

Community

A deep connection to an animal that changes you

That’s not failure. That’s transformation.

As riders in events like the Olympic Games often say, the medal is a moment — but the journey is a lifetime.

6. Horses Keep You Honest About Why You Started
Unlike many dreams driven by status or money, horses strip things back.

If you’re doing it, you’re doing it because you love it. Because something in you lights up around them.

That kind of dream feeds the soul — not the ego.

Chasing a horse dream is rarely linear. It’s messy. Expensive. Emotional. Exhausting.

But either way, you don’t walk away unchanged.

And sometimes, becoming stronger, softer, and more grounded is the real win.

We loved being back at Takapoto Show Jumping! The team jumped some great rounds, getting back into the swing of things 🙌🏻

As always thank you to the support of my sponsors, family and friends who make this possible!

CWD New Zealand - Penny Stevenson
Oakridge Equestrian
The Brave Pants Company
Ruapehu Equine Sports Therapy
Robyn's Tack Room

Photo credit

Homepage - Company Welcome to the wonderful world of Dynavyte in New Zealand. Our mission is to deliver sustainable wellness for your animals. In doing so we think our world shines with the vibrant colours of natural good health. Our unique animal products stand for BalanceSynergy, Sustainable Wellness and Animal…

Quick day trip to Foxton Spring Fling for Clariton 🌸

Clear and 4th in the Young Rider Class 🕺

Claude has been feeling fantastic thanks to our incredible team who are with us every step of the way!

Fuelled by Dynavyte NZ
Kept supple & condition Ruapehu Equine Sports Therapy
Claude is decked out in CWD New Zealand - Penny Stevenson
I’m dressed in Oakridge Equestrian & The Brave Pants Company

Be sure to check out these super brands and companies at Eqiifest this week!

Captured by Petapix - Field & Event Photography

Feeling extremely excited to be supported by Dynavyte NZ 🤩

Clariton loving being back out in the ring 😍

Feeling very excited and ready for a great season ahead with the best team around!

Ruapehu Equine Sports Therapy
Oakridge Equestrian
CWD New Zealand - Penny Stevenson
The Brave Pants Company
Robyn's Tack Room

Katie is truly amazing at what she does! She does an incredible job working with my team to make them feel the best they can 👌🏻

Highly recommend!

•Are you interested in assessing how your horse or pony is feeling after there winter break?

•Are you noticing behavioural changes that are out of the normal for your horse or pony such as:
- Biting or kicking out when doing up the girth.
- Flicking or tilting there head away when bridling.
- Ears back or shifting body away when saddling.
These are symptoms of discomfort in your horse or pony.

•Is your horse or pony struggling with things like:
- Picking up a particular canter lead
- Falling in on the circle
- Tilting there head outwards on a circle
- Rushing transitions
- Disuniting in canter
- Struggling to balance for the farrier.
These are all signs of Imbalance in your horse or pony.

I have available appointments this week during the school holidays for the Hawke’s Bay Region.

•Wednesday 24th: 10.30am
Thursday 25th: 9am, 11am
Friday 26th: 11am, 1pm

Please message me to confirm your booking or go to www.ruapehuequinesportstherapy.co.nz for more info on my services.

So excited for the season to kick off with Katie joining the team!!

Ruapehu Equine Sports Therapy

The horses and I are so thrilled and happy to have your support Katie 🫶🏻

Not making it to Horse of the Year to shop dem sales? 🛒🏃🏻‍♀️🛍️
For the first year ever, where offering the SALE ONLINE!
6pm NZT Feb 24th
www.thebravepantscompany.co.nz