On this week’s episode, Equiteam’s Liz Daniels chats with Equimotional founders, Charlie Vicary and Flick Carter to chat about the formation of this forward-thinking business. Equimotional is a platform based around horses, for individuals and organisations to further their knowledge of emotional intelligence, and mindset, as well as rider performance coaching. Charlie and Flick are a duo oozing with passion, pride and dreams.

Find out more about Equimotional: https://www.equimotional.com/ Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindfulriders

Setting yourself up to succeed is something that certainly seems to have worked for this week’s very special guest, Catriona Williams. Catriona joins EquiTeam’s Liz Daniels from the airport, the day after completing the Cycle4Caroline 1100km marathon bike challenge, in aid of Spinal Research and the British Eventing Support Trust.  Not only did New Zealand rider Cat complete the challenge, but even more inspirationally she completed it on hand bike after a fall in 2002 left her a tetraplegic. Although Catriona is paralysed from the base of her neck down and has limited use of her arms and hand, she is clearly driven to make a difference to all those around her.

Donate here: https://givewheel.com/fundraising/4699/cycle4caroline/ 

Find out more about Catriona here: https://www.catwalk.org.nz/ 

We are a little bit late to the party as Breast Cancer Awareness Month is held every October, to raise awareness about breast cancer and promote early detection and prevention, but it is such an important topic that we wanted to cover it. Equiteam’s Liz Daniels welcomes Claire McDougall to chat about her honest journey of breast cancer and why she has shared her story through her book, ‘Embracing the Scars’ to raise money for Maggie’s Glasgow.

For more info on Maggies Glasgow - https://www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-glasgow/ 

Follow Claire on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/embracing_thescars/ 

You can buy Claire's book here - https://c09d83-dd.myshopify.com/products/embracing-the-scars-book 

Within our Equiteam Connected community there is often chat that involves people on livery yards, which can be highly emotive environments where everyone seems to have an opinion. On a good livery yard with a positive support team, you will find no better place – but unfortunately this isn’t always the case and we hear lots of instances of conflicts. Equiteam’s Liz Daniels is joined by Facilitator Coach Consultant and Director of DA Professional, Dorothy Armstrong to talk about the power of an apology, how to apologise, when to apologise, dispersing yard tension, and how to move forwards following a conflict. 

Contact Dorothy - [email protected]

Website - https://dorothyarmstrong.net/ 

EquiTeam's Liz Daniels and Louise Gillings chat about your emotional bucket, knowing when it is empty and ways to fill it back up again. After an emotionally crazy equestrian week which involved saying a final goodbye to Liz's heart horse, Cianti, a week of dressage camps, lots of highs and learning opportunities with Joules that were tinged with guilt, the sale of a horse, and juggling work and normal life, it was fair to say that the emotional bucket was a little empty! The pair chat about recognising what you need, and taking steps to fill that bucket, alongside the brilliant support of your equestrian network.

Find more about Equiteam - www.equiteam.co.uk

If you need support contact Riders Minds - www.ridersminds.org 

As the clocks have changed and the daylight hours are decreasing, EquiTeam’s Liz Daniels and Louise Gillings share their thoughts on combining horses with their love(!) of winter. From setting goals, and managing expectations, to being realistic with your time, appropriate clothing and top tips, the duo chat about the practical aspects of being an equestrian through the winter months. As always we would love to hear your tips and thoughts, if you’d like to share them pop over to the Equiteam Facebook page and have your say.

Equiteam’s Liz Daniels and Liz Somerville explore their thoughts on overwhelm as the pair reflect on how they have been feeling after an exceptionally hectic year. From the feelings of failing at everything and not being able to do anything well, Liz S also shares how, as a patient of the Newson Health Clinic, the recent Panorama documentary on over-prescribing of HRT left her feeling rattled and confused, adding to already sinking feeling in her stomach. After chatting off air ahead of the podcast, the duo also delve into the importance of communication with the correct friends and look at some management tools and strategies to help prevent the same cycle that we are all too familiar with.

Link to our Menopause Episode with Caroline Wilson - https://www.equiteam.co.uk/riding-the-menopause-with-caroline-wilson/ 

EquiTeam’s Liz Daniels chats to Alan Davies about life after he announced his retirement from being a full time groom in January 2023. Although not fully retired - we spoke to Alan after he had just returned from flying a horse to America!, Alan has taken a step back from the intensity of being a full time competition groom for Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin, to concentrate on his own showing ponies, coaching, and other exciting projects including working with LeMieux. Alan shares why he is so passionate about sharing his knowledge and how he recently left Liz lost for words!

Equiteam’s Liz Daniels chats to Riders Minds Founder Victoria Wright ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10th October, about why she wants to bring the equestrian community together for a cup of tea and a talk. With a strong message of talking to each other, rather than about one another, Victoria shares why she would like this to become common place and not just for World Mental Health Day. As the pair delve into the narrative around suicide, Victoria shares why we need to change our language and drop the word ‘committed’.

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in the podcast, or would like to talk to the Riders Minds helpline go to: https://ridersminds.org/. All of the Riders Minds services are free, 100% confidential and accessible 24 hours a day. If you would like to talk to one of our trained team please call the helpline on 0800 088 2073, or text 07480 488 103, or access the web chat through the website.

When Equiteam member Gillian Birrell was asked to host an Equiteam Dressage Camp, she had no idea what she was letting herself in for. Gillian shares what it’s like behind the scenes compared to her experiences as a camper as she highlights the importance of a supportive network full of positive energy and the ripple effect it has without realising on all those there.

https://equiteamcamps.co.uk