Early parents. A "late" rider. Perfect timing for sharing the support system we all need.

In this episode, we (your hosts, Katie & Sophie) sit down with amateur eventers - and "salt-of-the-earth" soul-boosters - Gareth Eva & Lucy Strong.

Gareth came to riding only four years ago during a mental health crisis; discovering horses as a lifeline for managing ADHD and rebuilding confidence. Lucy, meanwhile, has been "quietly" steering the family ship since day one - although, it's not always been the perfect picture we all imagine.

Together, they’ve raised their babbling babies to teens, built their riding journeys from scratch, and shown up for their community in ways that make the equestrian world feel kinder, lighter and a whole lot more human.

We chat about:

• 🐴 Starting young on the parenting front, and late in the saddle
• 🧠 Gareth’s mental health journey and how horses help him live with ADHD
• 🎥 Gareth's time on Horse & Country's All Star Academy (…and the heart palpitations that followed!)
• ❤️ What real support looks like at shows, at home, and in the saddle
• 😂 Arguments in the lorry park... and why communication saves the day
• 🌱 Building confidence, community and joy from the ground up

Warm, witty and wonderfully real; this is the "Strong-er Tog-Eva" story you didn’t know you needed!

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💡 Top takeaways for this ride:

• You can start riding (or start over) at any age, and it’s never too late to find your confidence.
• Horses can be a genuine lifeline, offering grounding, routine and support for mental health and ADHD (or neurodivergence).
• The right support system makes everything easier - from parenting to competing to simply enjoying your horse.

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Want more from the herd? 🐴
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