Who am I, besides a horse lover and a riding instructor?

Ros with a horse at the end of his lesson. He is sniffing my hand looking for a mint.

There's something so very comforting about making a connection with a horse, even if they are looking for food!

There are so many answers to this question.

I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt. I am a horse lover & dog owner, and I am a friend.

I am a riding instructor, a dressage judge, and, for nearly 30 years, a groom. Now I am also proud to call myself an Elite Equestrian Mind Coach.

On a Centre 10 CPD day in October 2022 we were challenged to answer 5 questions

Who am I?
What do I do?
Where do I do it?
How do I do it?
Why do I do it?

in only 50 words. Have a go, it isn't easy unless you really cut the waffle!

This is what I came up with.

I am Ros, BD Dressage Judge and Equestrian Coach. I help my clients develop a harmonious partnership with their horses. I travel to my clients and we work together to improve the horses way of going. I do it for love of the horse.

Unfortunately I am also a Multiple Sclerosis warrior. I don't see myself as a sufferer and I'm definitely not a patient. It is due to my MS that I have had to cut back my work as a groom, something I hate to admit. The disease has effected my life, something I have been fighting since diagnosis.

As I do not have my own horse at the moment I am keeping myself mobile by getting in the water as often as I can and doing Aquafit classes. Some weeks I manage 5 sessions, sometimes it's only 4, but I feel it if I don't go, as muscles stiffen up. I am planning to work someone to help me lose weight, and get myself back walking as much as I can too.

I know there are people in my life who want to help, and don't know how. I'm sorry, I'm not about to help you because I don't know how your can help me either. I want to be allowed to do as much as I can myself. Having patient people around like the wonderful staff at Talland is invaluable to me, many of them have been turned down when they have offered help, but they know I often need someone close by when I dismount, in case my leg gets stuck on the saddle.

How ridiculous is that? I have been riding for 40 years & suddenly I can't dismount? 😱

Over the last couple of years I have had setbacks, and been to a pretty dark place, like so many people before me. If I can make progress with weight loss, I intend to start with sessions on a simulator to help me regain fitness without the worry of a horse taking control, then I intend to start with a steady riding school horse - going back to my roots. Hopefully I will be able to find another equine partner for myself, in the meantime I am continuing to develop my skills to improve the services I offer my clients.

Sandie Robertson has helped me find my new path and developed my confidence to the point I am starting to step outside my comfort zone without being pushed. I enjoyed studying with her last year and I am proud to be one of her Certified Equestrian Mind coaches

With great support I have changed my focus, but by no means turned my back on the last 30 years. I have a lot of experience with horses, and a lot of knowledge in my head which is all useless unless I share it, so that is what I am going to do, while continuing to learn and improve, as there is always something a horse can teach you.

I am working on upgrading from British Dressage list 5 to list 4, and I continue to work with Centre 10 continuing to develop my skills in the area of rider psychology and mindset. To make sure I keep my knowledge up to date and share my experience I am also helping clients work towards their Challenge Awards and BHS Assessments.

Photo of Alfie with Ros riding looking into the mirror.

A through the ears shot of my lovely old boy, Alfie looking into the mirror in the indoor arena at Talland School of Equitation. I miss him very much.

So, who am I?

I am Ros Dobson, and I am passionate about my mission now, which is to help people connect with their horses and enjoy them with confidence. Riding is expensive, and it is supposed to be fun, and I want to help bring the fun back wherever I can.

I am available for individual lessons/coaching at your yard, If you have others at your yard who would like to work with me I am happy to arrange a morning or afternoon (or evenings if you have lights or when the evenings are lighter) when I will come to you, possibly at a discounted rate. I do training sessions for Saxon Dressage group, and will be looking to run some clinics during the spring and summer

Please don't worry about the crutches, they are there to stop me falling over, there is nothing wrong with my head and the knowledge I am waiting to share.

I wanted to be a horse riding instructor when i learned to ride in the riding school at Dyrham Park, gaining a degree didn't change that dream and I am pleased to say "I love coaching both the horse and its rider."

I always have, but I had forgotten for a while, so to all of you who have attended clinics or training with me, thankyou for helping me rekindle my passion, and hopefully confirming my purpose.

Now I am working on an online Mindset course that you can work through at your own pace. It will be going live in March 2024, and I hope you will take up the 1st month introductory offer to have a look and see if you think it will help you.

If you want more in depth support I am running a 1 to 1 coaching offer that will also go live in March, so keep an eye out for that too.