In as wide-ranging a conversation as Tracey has had with any of her guests, Erynn Ballard makes a thought-provoking appearance to take the podcast to the next level.
“Every time you get on a horse, treat it like it’s the best you’ve ever ridden.”
The women cover the gamut of topics with easy candor, going from how riding is both a passion and a job at the same time and you need to love both sides of that coin, to dealing with the realities of an injury that could very well have ended her riding career. By being forced to hit the reset button, Erynn came face-to-face with the fact that her dream and her goals were not aligned like she thought they were – but getting back in the saddle, she came to the realization that she was where she was meant to be.
In the not-too-distant past, Erynn had the distinction of being the highest-ranked female rider in the world, and she and Tracey used that as a jumping-off point to discuss the level of equestrian sport in Canada and how, when Erynn was top-ranked female rider in the world, she still trailed a number of males in the FEI rankings. The irony of the situation she experienced while being lauded for her achievement was not lost on Erynn, as a crisis of confidence happened to set in right around the time she claimed the ranking that put her at the head of the women’s class.
As the conversation develops, Erynn opens up about the relationship she’s had with various horses and how the inevitability of the business of the equine world catches up with every rider. And when asked about the Maclay Award she won as a junior rider, Erynn said that played no small part in setting her up for success the rest of her career. She then hits on a gem when recalling something her dad imparted to her: every time you get on a horse, treat it like it’s the best you’ve ever ridden.
With the chat winding down, the women touch on how important self-care is, especially in the most hectic of schedules. And that includes balancing physical care with emotional and mental well-being … even if she’s walking through an airport, all the while accidentally hitting people with her yoga mat on her way to catch a flight.
Erynn Ballard can be found on Instagram (@erynnballard) and at www.erynnballard.com.
Listen to the episode here:
