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Social Supercharge: Riders – Getting to know Sarah Elebert

Sarah Elebert Eventing
In 2019, I launched my very first digital course aimed at equestrians and riders called Social Supercharge: Riders. Since it launched, I’ve been able to work with, learn about, and help riders from (literally) all over the world through the beauty of online training! In addition to the course, all equestrians taking part in my Social Supercharge: Riders get access to a free Facebook group and, lately, the chance to participate in the NEW NFU Countryside equestrian T&T panel! It’s an incredible group and it’s lovely to see these fab riders upping their social media game and getting what they want from it.
I thought it would be fun to share a bit about some of the amazing riders I get to work with, with you. So without further ado, it’s over to Sarah Elebert…

Getting to know Sarah Elebert…

Name: Sarah Elebert
Whereabouts do you live?
In a little village called Drumconrath in County Meath, Ireland
What’s your favourite equestrian discipline?
Eventing -( a XC adrenaline junky)
Tell us about the horses in your life
Belle Izarra Z (Zarra) 
12yo ISH Mare. 16.1hh
Bought as a green 5yo in 2012 in the Cavan Sales
Nickname: Queen Z…
Eventing Novice Level
Loves: Posing for the camera
Dislikes: Getting her rug on
Quirks: When competing, she prefers just one handler. DIVA!
EE Parlanti Cruise (Pearl) 

6yo ISH Mare 16.1hh

Bought as a 4yo in 2017 from a client when she came in for training.
Nickname: Miss Positive
Eventing: Novice Level – being aiming for LeLion 7yo in Oct 2020
Loves: Scratches… Anywhere, All day!
Dislikes: Waiting.
Quirks: She does everything with the turbo on. She is also SO nosy… needs to see EVERYTHING!
HallyBop Comet  (Hallie) 
8yo ISH Mare. 16.1hh
Bought as 3yo in 2014 from a friend
Nickname: Hoover & Angel
Eventing / Dressage
Loves: Food
Dislikes: Sharing food
Quirks: This girl ALWAYS tries her hardest to please, she is so laid back and chilled
EE Silver Lining ( Dawson0
8yo ISH Gelding 16.3hh
Born with us as a surprise October foal in 2011!
Nickname: Doofy
Dressage /  Riding Club Eventing
Loves: Cuddles
Dislikes: Nothing
Quirks: He’s big and he knows it but takes everything in his stride… A LOT of fun!

What’s your greatest equestrian achievement so far?

Completing Tattersalls CCI2* on 2 occasions. 4th Place on Pearl in the highly contested Michael Leonard 5/6 yo class at Ballindenisk Intl.

What’s your ultimate equestrian dream?

Compete for Team Ireland

Care to share a funny equestrian story?
I remember being dragged by two spooked horses. Continuously saying ‘Woah’ on my belly – totally calm! Thankfully they listened but while I redressed myself (rolled my jods back up) I was more concerned with looking around to see if anyone had seen the debacle!!!
Best bit of riding advice you’ve been given –
If you are not in the right frame of mind, do not ride. And do not feel guilty about it. It’s the best thing for your horse.
Favourite equestrian brands
Montar, Botanica International, Hiho Silver Jewellery, Premier Equine.
One thing we might not know about you?
About My Past –  I am actually from a non-horsey background. About My future: I’m getting married in March!
Do you have anything you deem as ‘lucky’ when you ride/compete?
Funnily – Zarra usually gets her best results whilst she’s in season… when the tail goes up, I consider it a bit of luck!
Do you have any superstitions or rituals when you compete? How did this start?
I have a sports psychology program that I complete prior to training or competition. It streamlines my thoughts & allows me to focus. I also listen to a meditation app on route to competitions. This helps to keep me from overthinking. I began this ritual after my horses highlighted a change in my state of mind between my warm-up & when I went up the centre-line!
If you could have dinner with any rider/equestrian, who would that be?
 A 2 for 1, I think Tim & Jonelle Price would be a great laugh!

If you could ride any horse in the world – past or present – who would it be?

Cathal Daniel’s Rioghan Rua , I love a mare & this little chestnut is a XC machine!

Why did you join Social Supercharge: Riders?

To learn more about how to make the most out of Social Media. The Hints & Tips are so useful, practical and effective,

What’s the best thing about the course 
The best thing about the course (aside from all the useful information) is Rhea. Working with Rhea, you feel that there is somebody there to help you at any time, rooting for you and so so willing to help. She is very generous with her extensive knowledge and time. Also, she doesn’t take herself too serious and so is very relatable!
To follow Sarah on Instagram, make sure you follow her at @sarahelebert_eventing

A few words about Social Supercharge: Riders

If you’re an equestrian, whether you’re an eventer, showjumper, dressage rider, happy hacker… or whether you keep horses and want to share what you’re doing with them on social media, this is the course for you. Social Supercharge: Riders has been created to help riders promote themselves and what they’re doing better on social media, to help it attract what they want. For professional riders, this might be owners and sponsors, for others it might be brand ambassadorships, or maybe growing an engaged following to share your story with.

Social Supercharge: Riders is a digital course broken into three main sections with a bonus interviews section, a free Facebook group, exclusive discounts and also the opportunity to be part of the NFU Countryside Equestrian Review panel that I run.

To find out more about the course, all the information is here. And you can sign up for a free preview here, to see what it’s all about!

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Being a producer and influencer with Megan Elphick aka Elphick Event Ponies

Elphick Event Ponies Megan Elphick

Megan Elphick who you might know better as Elphick Event Ponies§ is a producer, and eventer… and also an equestrian social media influencer too. In this episode we chat about how and why Megan started her account, her eventing aspirations, Badminton Grassroots, highs and lows and sooo much more!

Being a producer and influencer with Megan Elphick aka Elphick Event Ponies


Megan started her Elphick Event Ponies account when she was at university, to help keep that connection to her horses when she was away, but over a relatively short space of time Megan’s account has grown and she’s now very much regarded as an influencer in the equestrian space too.

Megan says that her Badminton Grassroots performance really put her on the map, but perhaps not for the reasons you might think. Megan qualified for Badminton Grassroots and spoke about this a lot on social media on the run up to it – and also found some brands she still works with. However, she fell off at fence 9. Although this (obviously!) wasn’t what she would have wanted, the relatability of being seen crying on the floor at Badminton saw her account surge.

In this episode of the podcast, we chat about being an influencer and the opportunities that this has provided including an amazing meet and greet at Olympia in 2019, the highs and the lows. From the amount of work being an influencer takes through to the nasty comments and processing them, Megan and her lovely mum are open, funny and so honest too.

Megan also shares some great tips for equestrians on social media and how it’s important to actually enjoy the process as a lot of work is required and it takes a long time.

To find out more about Megan and her mum, you can find them in all the places below…

Megan’s accounts:

Instagram

YouTube

And Jeanette Elphick – Adventures of Hobbit

OH… and the Social Supercharge Equestrian challenge I mentioned at the start of the show? You can join the FREE group here!

Five social media posts all equestrians can use this week

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Social Supercharge: Riders – Getting to know Jennifer Lawrence

Jen Lawrence and Tango

Image by Harriet Raymond

Name:

Jennifer Lawrence (the original)

Where abouts do you live:

I currently live in the fabulous seaside town of Aberystwyth, West Wales. It’s where Prince Charles came to learn welsh before becoming the Prince of Wales.

Favourite equestrian discipline:

Hands down going out on the cross country! The buzz and anticipation of the start box, the relief of crossing the finish line and the overall thrill of galloping at fences that do not fall.

Tell us about the horses in your life:

My pride and joy is my horse Tango, or (His Royal Highness) Iced Tango for official meetings. Tango is a 16-year-old ex-racehorse who I have been a servant to for the last 11 years. Tango was a chestnut foal hence his name, but then grew into a flea-bitten grey which led to the prefix Iced which I thought was quite clever on his breeders’ part. We take part in a wide variety of equine disciplines including dressage, showjumping and eventing, all unaffiliated and affiliated.

Greatest equestrian achievement:

Well I have never been a big fan of showing but when I spent a summer grooming for an amazing family who produced HOYS winners and incredible eventers, they persuaded me to enter the RoR classes in the largest three day show in Wales. With a borrowed showing outfit, Tango and I won the Novice RoR class beating 20+ other competitors and winning some amazing prizes. I cried when the Judge’s hat tipped at us. Together, we have achieved some great things, but this memory has to be the best and the one that makes me the proudest of my boy.

Ultimate equestrian dream:

That’s easy. Compete in the Olympics (and it will happen one day)

Share a funny equestrian story:

This one happened quite recently and is only funny now as it was quite painful at the time. I had just jumped Tango for the first time since he was lame which was a happy moment as you can imagine. I was cooling him off so had no reins and no stirrups, just to let everything drop down and relax. He was obviously far too relaxed as he had a temporarily forgot that horses can actually produce wind out of their back end. Tango farted and spooked. Now Tango is not a spooky horse which is why I often walk him off with ‘no control’, but this time he jumped so high in the air, I had time to contemplate how much this was going to hurt when I hit the floor and it did hurt. The annoying thing about it all is that I had recorded the whole session and had just turned the camera off before the spook.

Best bit of riding experience advice you’ve been given:

Horses do not understand perfection!

Favourite equestrian brands:

I don’t work with any brands; however, I absolutely love the clothing from Huff Equestrian and Equiboodle. Both provide comfortable and durable clothing that is perfect for being on the yard, but also fashionable enough for non-horsey days out.

I also swear by my Le Chameau wellies. They are so comfortable and hard-wearing. They are well worth investing in.

One thing we might not know about you:

I am actually a qualified electrician. When I got out of the Army, I trained to become a domestic electrician before deciding to come to university.

Do you have anything you deem as lucky when you compete:

I always wear the same competition outfit, even down to the underwear. I wouldn’t say I think it’s lucky but my subconscious does make me pick the same stuff out of the wardrobe each time.

Superstitions or rituals? How did it start?

I always train in the same tack that I will compete in. I won’t change anything just for a competition. I also like to tack up my own horse. I was at a competition years ago, and a competitor in my class jumped a few jumps and then pulled up because her girth was really loose. She ranted about her groom undoing the girth before the class and not tightening it up again. Since then I have always sorted out my own tack so that I know that everything is as it should be and cannot blame anyone else if it goes wrong.

If you could have dinner with any rider who would it be?

It has to be last year’s Badminton Horse Trials winner, Piggy French. I was there on the final day to see her pip Oliver Townend to the title. She just continually inspires me to keep pursuing my dreams because if you work hard and keep focused, it will happen one day.

If you could ride any horse?

Now this is a hard one. The first horse that came into my head was the incredible Secretariat. Did you know his heart was over twice the size of an average horse? He was a machine and a distant relative of Tango’s.

Why did you join the Social Supercharge Riders?

I have grown up watching professional riders highlighting all of their successes, rather than the ups and downs that it took to get the result. I want to show every rider out there that if you fail seven times, you get up eight and you just keep looking for that small improvement each time. The Social Supercharge: Riders course has expanded my mind about content and engagement and just reminds me that I have an interesting story that people actually want to hear and see.

What is the best thing about the course?

The best thing for me is the confidence it has given me. I am quite happy to share the worst days along with the best, but I have always felt that people will judge me for how I look or how I talk. The course has given me the confidence to post more to my Insta stories and allow myself to be me, rather than the edited version. I now have my own YouTube channel where I post fortnightly vlogs and my own website that I update with monthly blogs. There are also some other fantastic, encouraging riders on the course that are more than happy to help and give advice.

Make sure you follow Jen in all the places below…

Instagram

YouTube

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Let’s talk about trolls… and not the fun kind… internet trolls

 

Ah… trolls. And as I said in the title and in the intro of this podcast, I’m not talking about fun trolls. You know, the sort that live under bridges waiting for passing goats? I’m talking about internet trolls. People who are often faceless, lurk, and set about being pretty darn poisonous in a bid to bring people who are trying, down. So in this episode of the Small & Supercharged Podcast, I talk about my own experiences with internet trolls.

Let’s talk about trolls… and not the fun kind… internet trolls


Now, before I get into this, I want you to know that I KNOW my most recent troll was very tame on the scale of trolls. But I’ve decided to share this with you because the troll incident did make me feel bad. For a moment, I thought about their troll comment. For a moment, I wondered if they were right – I mean if you have someone leave a comment on your content that’s pretty unpleasant, you do initially think ‘oh no, what did I do wrong?’. But then I came to my senses. I looked at the comment. I looked at the name of the poster. I looked at their profile. And their image… and it all became very very clear, very very quickly.

In this podcast, I chat through my encounter, how their unpleasant comment from a shiny new account with a fake profile bothered me, and I also talk about some of the suggested ways that trolls can be ‘managed’ online.

I’m absolutely NOT an expert on trolls and I’m lucky that I’ve only had two minor incidents (so far) and I know that some people have a truly horrific time, but I wanted to share. Just in case it helps ONE person. Because I don’t want you, dear reader/listener, feeling bad because some faceless, cowardly person has decided to create a fake account to lie and/or be unpleasant about you. Because I’m just not standing for that… OK?!

And also, before I love you and leave you, I want to make a point here. A troll is not someone who disagrees with you in a measured, considered way. Who asks you a question or presents a valued argument. That’s a question, that’s feedback, that’s a comment. But there are ways to raise these issues that are kind, useful and supportive. There are ways to share something constructive with someone or ask a question. As you – not hiding behind a fake profile – not being poisonous.

Of course, if a trolling escalates then please PLEASE do report this to the platform you’re on, and if it becomes serious then please do consider reporting it to the police. I found a bit more info about cyber crime online here, and trolling was listed there too.

social media graphics guide

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Social Supercharge: Riders – Getting to know Janine Kerr

Janine Kerr Cornish Connemara

Last year, Social Supercharge: Riders hit the virtual shelves, to help equestrian utilise their social media better (and attract what they want through using it!) . Since it launched, I’ve been able to work with, learn about, and help riders from (literally) all over the world through the beauty of online training! In addition to the course, all equestrians taking part in my Social Supercharge: Riders get access to a free Facebook group and, lately, the chance to participate in the NEW NFU Countryside equestrian T&T panel! It’s an incredible group and it’s lovely to see these fab riders upping their social media game and getting what they want from it. And I want you to get to know these riders better too…

In this blog, I’m going to introduce you to Janine Kerr, who you might know better as Cornish Connemara (or @cornishconnemara on Instagram).

Name

Janine Kerr

Whereabouts do you live?

I live a few miles outside Newquay in beautiful Cornwall.

Favourite equestrian discipline.. 
To watch.. Eventing. To do.. dressage 😂😂 (but I am working on the Eventing thing)
Tell us about the horses in your life
I have two horses in my life.. Tom is a Black, 14hh, 26 year old Welsh D X (cross we aren’t sure!) whose been with me since he was 3. He’s my soul mate and although he’s now retired due to arthritis, I still love looking after him.
For years he got me into trouble escaping into back gardens/schools/onto main roads and going for walks to nearby towns. He would also run off in a headcollar regularly. He was always the “Loooose Hooorse!” at the show ground.
We competed in showing, Working Hunter and hunter trials and I loved every minute with him.
Ruby is my new 15hh 6 year old, Rose Grey Connie X KWPN mare, who came to me from a friend in June. We’re still getting to know each other but I plan to start with Dressage, working our way up to BD and then gather some guts together to start jumping! She’s a lovely, (very nosey!!) mare who can’t walk in a straight line whilst hacking because she’s constantly looking around. She’s still young but is generally a level headed girl and I hope she will restore my confidence after a fall last year.
What’s your greatest equestrian achievement so far?
My greatest equestrian achievement is getting back riding after the accident. For a short time I feared I wouldn’t be able to.
My most treasured memory though is definitely having a lesson with Mary King. To this day I’m not sure how I managed to hold in my excitement/nerves enough to jump fences in front of her!
What’s your ultimate equestrian dream?
My ultimate equestrian dream would be to get placed at a BE event. I hope one day to work at that but it’s one step at a time with achievable targets whilst I gain confidence.
Care to share a funny equestrian story?
As I mentioned, Tom was a notorious escape artist. He’s had main roads closed when he took whole herds of horses for a walk in the night, but the funniest time was when I got a call from a lovely elderly lady telling me that she had “black beauty” in her garden and that I should probably come and get him.
When I got there I found him in the most beautiful landscaped garden drinking from the lady’s marble water fountain (the cherub was piddling in his mouth!)
I could have died.
The worst part is that I couldn’t get him back over where he had gotten in so I had to take him out through her house over her carpet.
She was very good about it, gave him a biscuit on the way out and said she’d miss watching him out of her window 🙈
Best bit of riding advice you’ve been given
Best bit of riding advice I’ve ever been given would probably be by a jump trainer of mine when I just couldn’t stop standing up in my stirrups and picking the horse up over fences.
She said “When you go over a fence stick your butt out the back and try to touch your elbows together, you won’t be able to but it will force you to crouch and you won’t stick your elbows out”
Favourite equestrian brands 
You’ll find me using a lot of Woofwear, Horseware and Equilibrium products. I always find the quality of these brands to be very high, the customer service is great and I trust them.
My hats are Champion, and my rugs are almost all Shires as I think they’re brilliant value for money.
My feed room, grooming kit and first aid kit are full of NAF products, and my splurge brands are Fairfax & Favor and Hiho Silver.. though there are a ton of exciting small brands I’m really interested in at the moment!
Janine Kerr and Morwenna Foster at Forde Abbey
One thing we might not know about you?
Something you may not know about me..it’s not equestrian based but I once played the part of a Zombie in a music video for a metal band called ChickenHawk. It’s called I “I Hate This, Do you Like It?”
 My scene ends with me being smacked over the head with the top of a toilet. It’s one heck of a conversation starter!
Do you have anything you deem as ‘lucky’ when you ride/compete?
I always have something in my pocket at an event which belonged to my mum, a broach or a necklace. If anyone will look after me it would be her.
Do you have any superstitions or rituals?
The lucky item as above.. but nothing else in particular. I usually find when the run up to a show is a little rocky, the event itself goes well and vice versa!
I force myself to eat something and smile and try to have fun when the nerves threaten to take over.
If you could have dinner with any rider/equestrian, who would that be?
I was lucky enough to have dinner with Mary and Emily King so that was something ticked off my bucket list… but I’d love to meet Carl Hester. I almost head butted him at Your Horse Live because Charlotte had just walked past, I was shocked and wasn’t looking where I was going 😂
If you could ride any horse in the world – past or present – who would it be?
100% Valegro. Apart from being gorgeous and outstandingly clever he is really forgiving and safe, such a character.
Why did you join Social Supercharge: Riders?
I joined the Supercharged Riders Course because I am addicted to all things Equestrian and Country, have found a love for Instagram and meeting new people using the platform and have always been interested in photography and editing photos and videos.
I wanted to document my journey back to riding confidence after an accident last year which broke my back and I hoped Rhea and her course would give me the tools to do that. They certainly have!
What’s the best thing about the course?
The best thing about the course is honestly the confidence you are given to go ahead and put yourself out there. The encouragement and backing is really invaluable. I have met some lovely people as a result of taking part in this course and Rhea has been unbelievably supportive. The advice is awesome and the discounts are an added bonus!
Tell us all the places where we can find you 
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How to start a magazine with Hollie-Ella from In The Country Magazine

How to start a magazine with Hollie-Ella from In The Country Magazine

Hollie-Ella, better known as editor of  In the Country and known on Instagram as @inthecountryinsta is on today’s podcast. On today’s episode, we talk about the journey that Hollie-Ella as been on to get to the position of editor and founder of her own magazine (via a detour to New Zealand), and so much else too.

How to start a magazine with Hollie-Ella from In The Country Magazine


In this episode of the Small & Supercharged Podcast, Hollie-Ella talks about how she came to start a magazine and why, in a time when the surge in digital is, well, very much there, she decided to launch a printed magazine. We talk about her career to date and how she started In The Country after a going to College and then taking a trip to New Zealand where she went over to help with horses and ending up finding a passion for dairy farming!

After identifying a gap in the market aimed at younger countryside enthusiasts, Hollie-Ella went on to develop a magazine which included things like interviews, recipes and so much more, which has just published its 10th issue!

We also talk about the highs and lows of running the magazine. One really interesting point we chat about is the Magnolia Cup and the stress that this created in Hollie-Ella’s life. Of course, although this experience was a low, Hollie-Ella also talks about how that low taught her a real life lesson that she’s been able to apply since, knowing her limits, when to say no, and where her priorities lie. We also talk about the highs including who she’s interviewed, with a real high being interviewing Jade Holland Cooper in a recent issue.

The future looks exciting for Hollie-Ella and In The Country Magazine, with events, an increase in digital activity and so much else in the mix for the next 12 months.

We also have a chat about influencers and the recent negative vibe that our space has seen. We discuss reasons why this might be, how ‘easy’ it is to get started as an influencer (as in, setting up an Instagram account and approaching brands), and how the equestrian and country industry is generally a little way behind the mainstream. We also chat about a lack of a leader in the equestrian and country space at the moment, meaning that there’s not really a path to follow and how this can cause issues amongst influencers as everyone is working in their own way, sometimes against each other.

To find out more about Hollie-Ella and In The Country Magazine, you can find them in all the places below…

Website

Instagram

Facebook

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Social Supercharge: Riders… Getting to know Becky Wren

Becky Wren by Sophie Callahan

Image by Sophie Callahan

Last year, Social Supercharge: Riders hit the virtual shelves, to help equestrian utilise their social media better (and attract what they want through using it!) . Since it launched, I’ve been able to work with, learn about, and help riders from (literally) all over the world through the beauty of online training! In addition to the course, all equestrians taking part in my Social Supercharge: Riders get access to a free Facebook group and, lately, the chance to participate in the NEW NFU Countryside equestrian T&T panel! It’s an incredible group and it’s lovely to see these fab riders upping their social media game and getting what they want from it. And I want you to get to know these riders better too…

In this blog, I’m going to introduce you to Becky Wren, who you might know better as Country Bumpkin Chic. Becky is a Hiho Silver ambassador and I have got to know her through this, through her award winning blog, and through the group too. And now you can find out more about her here…

Cross Country William Carey Photography

Image by William Carey Photography

Name

Becky Wren

Whereabouts do you live?

In a lovely rural village just outside Dorchester in Dorset. Which very handily is only 2 miles from the horses & a 20 minute drive to the coast for non horsey fun.

What’s your favourite equestrian discipline?

Eventing of course! I love to challenge myself & you can’t beat the XC adrenalin rush.

Tell us about the horses in your life

Barley aka Red Sky Diamond is a 17.1 ISH who we’ve had since he was 5 & he’s now 16 – so part of the family. He’s had lots of injuries over the years but loves his XC, so we wrap him up in cotton wool for his BE events. He has such a gorgeous soul & owes me nothing. He’ll start next season at BE 100 aiming to step up to Novice.

Leo aka MBF online is a 6-year-old 16.1 ISH who we’ve owned for 2 years. He is full of character & I’m very excited about his future in eventing & show jumping. He’ll start next season at BE 90 & then step up to BE 100.

I’d love to do an International 2* with the boys at some point, so that will be the aim in 2020.

Leo - Eventer Challenge

Credit: Dorset Photo Event

What’s your greatest equestrian achievement so far?

Having 2 sound horses at the end of the 2019 season was amazing.

When I was 16, I was selected to represent the South West at the JRN (Junior Regional Novice) championships, however, sadly my horse was off games so we didn’t attend – but was an honour to be selected & the training was great & this is 20+ years ago.

What’s your ultimate equestrian dream?

To compete at an international over in Ireland where the boys are originally from.

Care to share a funny equestrian story?

Not funny at the time, but when I was 10 & riding my Welsh Section B pony Music Master, at a local hunter trial, he stopped at a downhill ditch or coffin as we used to call them back then. I fell off into the coffin with his bridle. My mum was not impressed.

Best bit of riding advice you’ve been given

For dressage from event rider Joe Roome, it was to be in the moment with your horse, which helps me to stay in the zone. And from Jabeena Maslin for my show jumping, making sure I ride like a tiger & have enough fuel in the tank. I now play eye of the tiger in the morning before a competition to psyche myself up.

Favourite equestrian brands 

Noble Outfitters for all my everyday breeches

Pikeur for competition breeches & jacket – which you can put in the washing machine

KEP for my gorgeous helmet

Flying Changes for my super smart jacket for best

Super X Country for the smartest XC colours

Henry James Saddlery for my bridle, stirrup leathers & reins – they have amazing grip.

One thing we might not know about you?

In my early days I competed 2 horses up to Intermediate & used to jump 1.25m for fun. 

Do you have anything you deem as ‘lucky’ when you ride/compete?

Yes, I don’t compete without my rose quartz in the pocket of my breeches. It was a new ritual for 2019 to keep me safe & it really has. It’s said that it brings the energy rays of determination, commitment & caring.

If you could have dinner with any rider/equestrian, who would that be?

Can I have a dinner party please? I would invite: Pippa Funnell, Piggy French, Tim Price, Chris Burton, Laura Collett, Ben Hobday, Gemma Tattersall & Carl Hester (I had a Christmas lunch with him when I was 12 at a Dressage event for young dressage riders & he was lovely)

If you could ride any horse in the world – past or present – who would it be?

I’d ride Charlotte Dujardin’s Valegro in the dressage, Ben Maher’s Explosion in the show jumping & Tim Price’s Wesko on the cross country – a winning combination for eventing, right?

Why did you join Social Supercharge: Riders?

I treated myself to membership after winning the 2019 Haynet Countryside Blogger of the Year Award as I wanted to keep up the momentum from winning the award & step it up a notch.

What’s the best thing about the course?

The information is so easy to digest & I love the style of the talking power points as well as being able to dip in & out of the course as & when.

Tell us all the places where we can find you 

I blog over at www.countrybumpkinchic.co.uk

Instagram @becky_wren https://www.instagram.com/becky_wren/

Facebook Country Bumpkin Chic https://www.facebook.com/CountryBumpkinChic/

Twitter @becky_wren https://twitter.com/Becky_Wren

Becky Wren and Barley •Credit: Dorset Photo Event

Credit: Dorset Photo Event

Photographer information (all images used with permission)

Dorset Event

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DorsetPhotoEvent/

Instagram @DorsetPhoto – https://www.instagram.com/dorsetphoto

https://www.dorsetphotoevent.co.uk/

William Carey

https://williamcareyphotography.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/williamcareyphotography/ @williamcareyphotography

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/williamcareyphotography/

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Have you heard about Albion’s Big Competition?

I’m really excited to speak to you about Albion’s BIG Competition. And all the caps are deliberate because the competition is HUGE. In fact, the winner will walk away with a prize haul work over four thousand pounds! Yes, OVER £4000!

Gracie Tyte Albion Competition

What’s Albion’s Big Competition all about?

In December, Albion Saddlemakers (one of my lovely clients) launched a competition to celebrate the new K3 Jump Saddle. This beautiful monoflap jump saddle has been designed to combine the best bits of the best selling K2 Jump Saddle in a single flapped design, for those who want that. The saddle is really stunning and in addition to traditional leather, the K3 is also available with Glitz fabric at various points, to add blue, red or black sparkle to the design. It’s really beautiful!

Now, to give this saddle a fitting launch, Albion decided to put together a HUGE competition with some of its equestrian business friends. And the result was a prize haul worth over £4000! The competition launched on 3rd December ’19 on Albion’s Instagram (@albionsaddlemakers on Insta) and it just FLEW! The competition will run for eight weeks and then the winner will be drawn.

So, what does the winner win?

Well, in addition to a K3 Jump Saddle and Albion bridle, the lucky winner will bag themselves…

  • A Social Supercharge: Rider digital course and three remote one to one sessions with me.
  • A rider clothing bundle from Super X Country including matchy, bespoke cross country colours, best selling Candy Leggings, and lots of other bits too.
  • A matching Cherry Roller Bangle and Cherry Roller Stock Pin, both from Hiho Silver, with single CZ sparkle Roller Bead in the middle (I was gifted a Cherry Roller Bangle when they first came out, and years on it never leaves my wrist. I LOVE it!)
  • A clothing bundle from Equiboodle which includes the Vixen Cowl Neck Sweatshirt, which is SO snug. In addition, the winner will win a lovely Boodle Blouson for riding and a variety of other Equiboodle branded loveliness that they can wear and enjoy.
  • A Vent-Air Sport Hat from Champion Hats, which has a hand sprayed gloss finish. These hats have got amazing safety credentials, as you’d expect from Champion, but the colours that they come in and the very cool finishes available really make them stand out from the crowd visually too.
  • A Pro-Vent 3.0 Body Protector from safety specialists Racesafe Equestrian. This body protector has got some really impressive design know-how behind it and looks seriously comfortable to wear too, as well as helping to keep you safe.
  • And last but by no means least, if the winner is in the UK, they will also bag themselves a photoshoot with the incredibly talented Sophie Callahan. Now, you’ll know I love Sophie because, well, I do… and she’s done the only two professional shoots at home with the horses that I’ve ever had… and she also did all the shots for the competition with Gracie Tyte!

Phew! Are you excited?

Make sure you visit Albion’s Instagram AND enter on the post that looks just like the one below before the closing date of January 28th 2020.

Albion Big Competition

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When to unfollow or mute on social media

When to unfollow or mute on social media

When to unfollow or mute on social media

Have you ever wanted to unfollow or mute someone or a brand on social media but felt it was the wrong thing to do? I mean, you knew it would be a good thing for you, but you were worried about how it would be seen? Well fear not, I have just the podcast that might help you navigate the unfollow/mute side of social media. In fact, I give you four reasons why I think unfollowing and muting can actually be a good idea.

When to unfollow or mute on social media

In this episode you’ll hear how unfollowing or muting someone isn’t the biggest issue in the world (I know, shocker) and how, actually, it might be just what you need. There are lots of reasons to follow and engage with people and their accounts and I am all for that. But there are also times when not seeing their content might be a good idea for you. Maybe you’re going through a tricky patch and the content the share is impacting on how you feel about yourself? Maybe you feel you HAVE to share and you’re worried what will happen if you don’t get involved? Maybe you’ve had a change in direction and what they’re sharing just isn’t for you anymore. Here are the four reasons I chat about in this episode:

  1. It’s having a negative impact on your mental health. This has got to be one of the main reasons to unfollow or mute someone on social media. And, side note, it might not be them, it could well be you. When life throws us curve balls, we can process things in different ways. If people’s posts about winning at competitions upsets you as your horse is broken and may never compete again, those posts might upset you in that moment… and if that’s the case then I would suggest you consider unfollowing. Your mental health is really really important. And if you can make a step towards having a happier social media feed, which makes you feel better in yourself, then please consider this.
  2. No interest. People’s feed, beliefs and passions change as they grow and evolve. I mean, who can honestly say that they’re exactly the same as they were 10 years ago? I know I can’t! So as we all grow and develop, we might find our paths get closer together, or we might find they take off in completely opposite directions and over time you have nothing in common with the people you’re following. And that might mean that you have no interest in that feed anymore. And that’s absolutely OK too. Actually, it’s more than OK, it’s life.
  3. Your interests don’t align. There’s a whole list of controversial topics, isn’t there? From shooting and hunting to wearing fur, veganism… I could go on all day. Now, we obviously don’t expect all our friends and online acquaintances to have exactly the same list of passions as we do (I mean, the world would be kind of boring if everyone thought the same, right?!) but, to me at least, it’s how these passions are promoted. And I’m actually going to use the recent election as an example. I genuinely, genuinely, didn’t care who people voted for – and I mean that in the best possible way. Everyone who voted for a particular party had a reason for doing so. And I would not say that because x voted for y I didn’t want to hear from them. Not at all. But I did unfollow and mute people who had become aggressive towards people who were planning to vote for others. Because it wasn’t their interests at the core that caused my issue, it was the way in which they were ‘promoting’ these. So their interests, I guess, were around making others feel idiots, being insulting towards them, and so on. And that’s not an interest I align with at all.
  4. Doing it because you have to. There’s a big caveat here. If these people are your real life friends, people you know, like, trust and you have a connection with, liking their content can be a huge sign of support and a really positive way to show that you really do care. What I’m talking about here is liking things because you feel you need to be seen to do it. Even if you really don’t like what’s being said and it doesn’t align with you. If you’re a vegetarian and you feel you HAVE to like someone’s post of their steak dinner even though it grates on your every fibre. Just stop. Please. You might not need to unfollow or mute in this situation, you might just need to have a chat with yourself about what you do like and what you don’t.

The thing is, you don’t have to unfollow or mute someone because of them. By which I mean it doesn’t have to be something that they’re doing. You can mute or unfollow someone on social media for you. As I talk about in this week’s podcast.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one, so please do pop on over to Instagram and send me a DM if you’ve had a listen. And I would love to hear your thoughts – why do you unfollow/mute and what positive benefits have you seen from it?

And don’t forget, if you listen, please don’t forget to screenshot, share and tag over on Instagram Stories.

Subscribe to the Small & Supercharged podcast on iTunes

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Social Supercharge: Riders… Getting to know Gemma Gilbert

Gemma Gilbert Gem Eventing

In 2019, I launched my very first digital course aimed at equestrians and riders called Social Supercharge: Riders. Since it launched, I’ve been able to work with, learn about, and help riders from (literally) all over the world through the beauty of online training! In addition to the course, all equestrians taking part in my Social Supercharge: Riders get access to a free Facebook group and, lately, the chance to participate in the NEW NFU Countryside equestrian T&T panel! It’s an incredible group and it’s lovely to see these fab riders upping their social media game and getting what they want from it. And I want you to get to know these riders better too…

First up is Gemma Gilbert, who you might know better as Gem Eventing. I’ve know Gem for a little while now, and actually asked her to test the Social Supercharge: Riders course for me, before it launched officially to the big wide world! You’ll find out a whole lot more about Gem and her lovely skewbald Con below… and you can find out how to follow her at the bottom of her interview too!

Gem eventing and Con

Getting to know Gemma Gilbert aka Gem Eventing

Name
Gemma Gilbert

Whereabouts do you live?
I live in the South West of the country in a town called Yeovil in Somerset, a county famous for tractors and cider.

What’s your favourite equestrian discipline?
My favourite equestrian discipline has got to be Cross Country, the excitement of both horse and rider in the start box as well as the pure buzz you get galloping through the finish line. One other thing I get to wear is all my lovely purple xc stuff which is a whole load of purple and lilac matchy matchy which makes me very happy.

Tell us about the horses in your life
My lovely boy is called Conner, Apache Blue for posh. He is a 11 year old skewbald tobiano gelding, with stunning two blue eyes, he is very unique and eye catching.
I have been the proud owner 3.5 years . We have had a few lows which has set us back but some amazing highs.
We compete all disciplines, show jumping, dressage and unaffiliated eventing. We also compete for our local riding club Taunton and District and have represented them at national level two years running.

What’s your greatest equestrian achievement so far?
Leading on from representing my riding club, my greatest equestrian achievement has got to be coming 9th in the country last year at the British Riding Club National Championships with my show jumping team mates.

What’s your ultimate equestrian dream?
My ultimate equestrian dream has got to be riding round Badminton grassroots or winning a national title.

Care to share a funny equestrian story?

I lack in this department but I think the funniest story has got to be when I was younger, I was doing gymkhana games with my sister leading me, she fell over and the pony stopped went down for grass and I slid off down the neck of the pony.

Best bit of riding advice you’ve been given
Worry about your own score, don’t compare it to others as you’re only really completing against yourself.

Favourite equestrian brands-
I work with the following brands…

My favourite equestrian brand has got to be Hiho Silver. The gorgeous equestrian jewellery you can literally wear it from yard to out for dinner. Some real timeless classics such as the cherry roller bangle.

3 Donkeys coveralls are complete life savers for competition wear, keeping everything clean and tidy. I recently was honoured to help launch the Dartmoor coveralls which are waterproof and rideable coveralls.

eGlove are fabulous, they sell riding gloves which you can use your mobile phone or touch your smart watch. They come in a huge range of colour and styles.

Albion, I’m lucky both my saddles are Albion but their tack cleaner is a game changer. It really is incredible stuff the results are amazing.

I’m not linked to these brands…

Cool Horse Socks, are brilliant for all your long socks needs. Any colour and pretty much any pattern and super comfy and breathable.

Honest Riders, I have a few t-shirts and jumpers and I just love the slogans and the fact that Zoe is so amazing with making everything as  sustainable as she can.

One thing we might not know about you?
I am a precision engineer for a living. I studied as an Apprentice and have been qualified for 2 years now. There aren’t many women in the industry on shop floor.

Do you have anything you deem as ‘lucky’ when you ride/compete?
I have a pair of thread bare socks my late grandma gave to me which I wear under my long socks. They are a pale blue, not purple, which might be a bit of shock for some.

Do you have any superstitions or rituals when you compete? How did this start?

I never ever compete in brand-new things. It’s got have been trained in or ridden in before a competition, sounds slightly silly but when I have ridden in brand new items I have fallen off. So when I was given my new Hiho Silver stock pin, I hacked round the village with my stock on just to wear it in the week before our dressage competition!

If you could have dinner with any rider/equestrian, who would that be?
I would say Gemma Tattersall not only is an amazing rider, and continues to produce incredible horses. Not only that, we have the same name and both love purple.

If you could ride any horse in the world – past or present – who would it be?

I would say Ben Hobday Mr Mulry as that V8 cob is something else. I think he would be incredible to take him eventing.

Why did you join Social Supercharge: Riders?
I was kindly gifted the course by Rhea as a test rider. It couldn’t have come at a better time as going from riding and competing regularly, to both me and my horse having time off due to a nasty fall for both me and Con, I was left with no usual content. I found competition photos and training photos were my go to images to use, but the course taught me that there is far more than that.

What’s the best thing about the course?

The best thing for me about the course is it teaches you to document rather than create. Things you do normally looking after your horse or using regular products. Rather than taking ages to try put things together to try get some content together. It’s all under your nose, you just have to be creative in how you want to share it. The course has given me the confidence to have a go at IGTVs and regular stories of what I’m doing, or even a spot of vlogging. It certainly gave me a little kick up the bum with my blogging too, so much so I now have my own website.

Tell us all the places where we can find you 

You can find me on Instagram and Twitter at  @gemeventing
https://www.instagram.com/gemeventing/?hl=en

My website is
https://www.gemeventing.com/

Fancy becoming a Social Supercharge: Rider?

If you’re an equestrian, whether you’re an eventer, showjumper, dressage rider, happy hacker… or whether you keep horses and want to share what you’re doing with them on social media, this is the course for you. Social Supercharge: Riders has been created to help riders promote themselves and what they’re doing better on social media, to help it attract what they want. For professional riders, this might be owners and sponsors, for others it might be brand ambassadorships, or maybe growing an engaged following to share your story with.

Social Supercharge: Riders is a digital course broken into three main sections with a bonus interviews section, a free Facebook group, exclusive discounts and also the opportunity to be part of the NFU Countryside Equestrian Review panel that I run.

To find out more about the course, all the information is here. And you can sign up for a free preview here, to see what it’s all about!

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