Mama, Cowgirl, Coach
Hello and welcome to Get Gritty!
I'm Chevy. As a Horsewoman and Farm Wife and Mama to two little cowboys, I understand that horsemanship isn't just a hobby. It is a lifestyle!
I understand the unique struggles that horsewomen face because I face them too. Whether we have had horses all our life, or enjoyed riding as a kid and are just getting back into riding after some time off, all of us face the same struggles. From juggling the demands of our careers (to pay for our horse habit!), to taking care of our families, farming, and other activities. For most of us, our horse time is our "me" time, when we can relax and live our dreams.
So when we feel anxious, nervous or fearful along our horsemanship journey, riding isn't fun anymore. And that is the point, isn't it? If it isn't fun anymore, then why should we invest the money, the time, and the effort that it takes to achieve our horsemanship dreams?
I have felt afraid in the saddle. I have felt nervous and anxious. I have experienced what it feels like to not be confident.
After my first son was born, I was terrified in the saddle. And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make myself relax. It wasn't that I didn't have horse knowledge or horsemanship skills-before my kids were born I trained wild mustangs for Mustang Makeovers! It wasn't that my horses were unbroke or naughty-they were quiet, gentle ranch horses.
The problem was all in my own head.
And it was so frustrating! I wanted to be able to lope across a field to gather our cattle. I wanted to be able to relax and ride down the trail with my husband. I wanted to be able to show my horses again.
That is what led me to study mental toughness and positive psychology. Because I love horses, and imagining a life where I didn't ride was not an option! So I began my own journey to rebuild my self-confidence, to overcome the negative self-talk and doubts. And I learned that most of these problems were all in my head, and that by mastering simple mental skills I could again ride with confidence. I could again ride into a show pen feeling focused instead of nervous.
As I learned and practiced these mental skills, I realized that horses and life are the same. By focusing on what I needed to do to feel more positive with my horse, I also started to feel more positive with my life in general. It is a cycle-if our life is in balance, if we as a person are more positive, then our horsemanship will improve too.
Along my journey to confidence, I also discovered that I wasn't alone. That other cowgirls like me faced the same challenges and lack of confidence-whether it was due to injury, having a family, or being out of the saddle for awhile. And just knowing that I wasn't alone was so healing for me, and I knew that helping others regain their confidence was part of my purpose along my own horsemanship journey. So I studied Life Coaching, and became certified as a Confidence Coach through the Transformation Academy, so that I could improve my coaching skills and make the road to confidence smoother for you than it was for me, struggling by myself.
That is why I started Get Gritty-to share with you the process that helped me change from anxious and overwhelmed and uncertain about my horsemanship journey to confident and calm and excited to go on adventures with my horse!
The steps that I share with my coaching clients are the same steps that I took, the same skills that I learned, all proven effective by the science of positive psychology, and put together in an easy to follow, step-by-step process to empower you to be more confident as taught in my coaching certification courses.
If I can overcome these struggles to be more positive in my life, find the fun along my horsemanship journey, and be a confident cowgirl again, so can you! Because horses are more than a hobby. It's a lifestyle. And to succeed and be happier along this bumpy ride, we need to get gritty.
~Chevy
I'm Chevy. As a Horsewoman and Farm Wife and Mama to two little cowboys, I understand that horsemanship isn't just a hobby. It is a lifestyle!
I understand the unique struggles that horsewomen face because I face them too. Whether we have had horses all our life, or enjoyed riding as a kid and are just getting back into riding after some time off, all of us face the same struggles. From juggling the demands of our careers (to pay for our horse habit!), to taking care of our families, farming, and other activities. For most of us, our horse time is our "me" time, when we can relax and live our dreams.
So when we feel anxious, nervous or fearful along our horsemanship journey, riding isn't fun anymore. And that is the point, isn't it? If it isn't fun anymore, then why should we invest the money, the time, and the effort that it takes to achieve our horsemanship dreams?
I have felt afraid in the saddle. I have felt nervous and anxious. I have experienced what it feels like to not be confident.
After my first son was born, I was terrified in the saddle. And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make myself relax. It wasn't that I didn't have horse knowledge or horsemanship skills-before my kids were born I trained wild mustangs for Mustang Makeovers! It wasn't that my horses were unbroke or naughty-they were quiet, gentle ranch horses.
The problem was all in my own head.
And it was so frustrating! I wanted to be able to lope across a field to gather our cattle. I wanted to be able to relax and ride down the trail with my husband. I wanted to be able to show my horses again.
That is what led me to study mental toughness and positive psychology. Because I love horses, and imagining a life where I didn't ride was not an option! So I began my own journey to rebuild my self-confidence, to overcome the negative self-talk and doubts. And I learned that most of these problems were all in my head, and that by mastering simple mental skills I could again ride with confidence. I could again ride into a show pen feeling focused instead of nervous.
As I learned and practiced these mental skills, I realized that horses and life are the same. By focusing on what I needed to do to feel more positive with my horse, I also started to feel more positive with my life in general. It is a cycle-if our life is in balance, if we as a person are more positive, then our horsemanship will improve too.
Along my journey to confidence, I also discovered that I wasn't alone. That other cowgirls like me faced the same challenges and lack of confidence-whether it was due to injury, having a family, or being out of the saddle for awhile. And just knowing that I wasn't alone was so healing for me, and I knew that helping others regain their confidence was part of my purpose along my own horsemanship journey. So I studied Life Coaching, and became certified as a Confidence Coach through the Transformation Academy, so that I could improve my coaching skills and make the road to confidence smoother for you than it was for me, struggling by myself.
That is why I started Get Gritty-to share with you the process that helped me change from anxious and overwhelmed and uncertain about my horsemanship journey to confident and calm and excited to go on adventures with my horse!
The steps that I share with my coaching clients are the same steps that I took, the same skills that I learned, all proven effective by the science of positive psychology, and put together in an easy to follow, step-by-step process to empower you to be more confident as taught in my coaching certification courses.
If I can overcome these struggles to be more positive in my life, find the fun along my horsemanship journey, and be a confident cowgirl again, so can you! Because horses are more than a hobby. It's a lifestyle. And to succeed and be happier along this bumpy ride, we need to get gritty.
~Chevy
Chevy's Horses
Meet the horses behind the horsewoman. Their job duties include being my equine life coaches, partners in working cattle, team mates in the show pen, and of course babysitting my rowdy kids.
Breezy |
Molasses |
Reva |
Little Foot |
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Friendly, Forgiving, Funny. He is the first one to the gate and enjoys quiet walks up the field road. Thinks he is a person. Breezy is Chevy's main horse and show pen partner.
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Sensitive, Action-Taker, Endless Work Ethic. Zeb's choice when the cows are out. Not a fan of spa days, prefers her mane messy, and is convinced that reining is a speed event.
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Inquisitive, Careful, Spunky. Reva is a BLM Mustang that Chevy trained in 2009 for the Midwest Mustang Makeover, and she rejoined Chevy's herd 10 years later. Colin has claimed her as his horse.
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Adventurous. Brave. Fun. Don't let his size fool you, Little Foot is always ready to explore. He is Colton's buddy, and together they roam the front yard and fields. And yes, he is a mini mule.
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Chevy's Credentials
Coaching Certifications
Transformation Academy:
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University of Pennsylvania Specialization:
Foundations of Positive Psychology
Horsemanship Accomplishments and Learning Opportunities
I've been blessed to have the opportunity to learn from many different World Champion Reining, Cutting, Cow Horse, and Versatility Ranch Horse Trainers. I've trained and competed in a variety of disciplines, from Halter, Showmanship, English Equitation, Hunter Hack, Western Pleasure, and Horsemanship. Most recently I have shown in Western Dressage, Reining, Cutting, Cowhorse, Handy Ranch Horse (Trail), and Ranch Roping.
2021:
- Rode in Curt Pate Ranch Roping Clinic
- Roundup Rider at the 2020 Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup!
- Western Dressage Association of WI Shows with SH Chic Breeze
- WDAWI Year End Award: Basic Open 3rd Place
- WDAWI Virtual State Championship Show Class Winner, Basic Level Test 2, Open Rider
- Wisconsin Foundation Quarter Horse Association/Foundation Quarter Horse Registry Shows with SH Chic Breeze
- WIFQHA Year End Awards:
- Reserve Champion All Breed Buckle Winner
- 5 Class Year End Winner: FQHR Open Handy Ranch Horse, FQHR Limited Working Cow Horse, All Breed Senior Handy Ranch Horse, All Breed Senior Pleasure Horse, All Breed Judges Command
- FQHR World Roundup-Multiple Top 10 Placings:
- 3rd Place Open Ranch Reining
- 3rd Place Open Versatility Conformation
- 3rd Place 6-10 Yr Old Geldings
- 4th Place Open Level 2 Working Cowhorse
- 6th Place Open Handy Ranch Horse
- 7th Place Open Ranch Riding
- 8th Place Open Ranch Cutting
- WIFQHA Year End Awards:
- Rode in Phillip Ralls Reining Clinic
- Midwest Horse Fair: Assisted Al Dunning, Rode in his Hackamore Clinics
- Rode in Buck Brannaman Clinic, Colt Starting and Horsemanship I
- Midwest Horse Fair, assisted Barbra Schulte and Sandy Collier in their booth
- Rode in Aaron Ralston Reining/Cow Horse Clinic
- Midwest Horse Fair: Assisted Al Dunning with his Booth/Clinics
- Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America North Central Region Year End Award Placings:
- Grand Champion Adult Half Welsh Western Pleasure, 4th Place Adult English Pleasure Half Welsh and 4th Place Adult Trail with Sandy Spot Im Justa Maverick
- Reserve Champion Adult Trail, 3rd Place Ridden Welsh Classic, 3rd Place Adult Western Pleasure, and 4th Place Adult English Pleasure with SDL Fire Opal
- 3rd Place Adult Trail with Kinnickinnic Moonshadow
- Midwest Horse Fair: Rode in Mike Major and Richard Winters Clinics
- Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America North Central Region Year End Award Placings:
- Grand Champion Adult Western Pleasure with Kinnickinnic Moonshadow
- Midwest Horse Fair: Rode in Sandy Collier Clinics
- Graduated from UW-River Falls with a Bachelors in Biology, Minor in Animal Science-Equine Emphasis
- Midwest Horse Fair: Trained and competed with 2 Mustangs in the Midwest Extreme Mustang Makeover
- Midwest Horse Fair: Miss Midwest Horse Fair Princess
- Completed Colts in Training Class at UW-River Falls
- Palomino Horse Breeders Association of America Registers Of Merit in Reining, Horsemanship, and Hunt Seat Equitation
- 4H: WI State 4H Horse Expo Reserve Champion Hippology, Top 10 Finishes at WI State 4H Horse Expo in Horsemanship and Trail, Multiple County Fair Grand Champion Awards
Recommended by Chevy: Tack and Equipment I Use
Note: Affiliate links below. I receive compensation from qualify purchases. Thanks for your support!
Pivo Pod
Wondering how I get video of my riding around-including filming tests for online Western Dressage Shows?
It isn't because I ask my hubby or kids to hold the camera.
I use a Pivo! I have the Pivo Silver (this model has a faster speed to keep up with your horse at the canter). I recommend upgrading to the Silver for this reason.
Learn more at https://pivoriders.com/?ref=a5udkdh4zqcj (affiliate link).
It isn't because I ask my hubby or kids to hold the camera.
I use a Pivo! I have the Pivo Silver (this model has a faster speed to keep up with your horse at the canter). I recommend upgrading to the Silver for this reason.
Learn more at https://pivoriders.com/?ref=a5udkdh4zqcj (affiliate link).
HayChix Nets
I am a HUGE fan of Hay Chix nets. I have both the large bale nets and the small half bale nets, and use them daily. They are durable, easy to fill, and result in almost zero hay waste. Give them a try-you won't be disappointed!
Want to get 20% off Hay Chix Nets? Use my referral link- http://682haychix.refr.cc/chevy1
Want to get 20% off Hay Chix Nets? Use my referral link- http://682haychix.refr.cc/chevy1
Colin helping to fill Hay Chix hay nets.
Booma Rein
Riding with kids is an adventure. And it is inevitable that they will get distracted and drop their reins. With the Booma Rein, they can always get their reins back, and you don’t need worry about a dropped rein getting tangled up in their horse’s feet. Super useful product-there is one on both of my kid’s saddles!
Get one at https://boomarein.com/
Get one at https://boomarein.com/
In riding a horse we borrow freedom.
-Helen Thompson