Category Archives: Overcoming Riding Fear

Galloping through an open field feeling a sense of freedom is something that I have always longed to do, yet paralyzing riding fear had imprisoned me.

A Gift of Freedom

By Jennifer Klitzke

My Tennessee walking horse mare was a Valentine’s Day gift from my husband in 2007. (Well, actually, I pleaded with him for two weeks when he buckled on Valentine’s Day and said, “Okay!”) She came with the registered name “Gift of Freedom” which is ironically symbolic. You’ll know what I mean in a moment.

As a child, I rode my spring-loaded plastic pony through the wild, wild West of my imagination. We galloped through the open plains joyful and carefree.

I dreamed for the day of owning a horse. Then 24 years later a friend said to me, “Jennifer, you’re going say ‘Someday I’ll buy a horse’ for the rest of your life. You need to do it or your ‘someday’ will never come.”

She was right, so that’s what I did. I saved enough money for my first horse and decades later, I think I’m more horse-crazy than ever! Bringing horses into my life was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I was born for this.

Horseman Buck Brannaman says, “Horses are a mirror to your soul,” and I’ve found that to be true. I believe that God has used horses to expose the broken and misguided pieces of my life. Once I courageously acknowledge my need for healing and work through these broken areas, God has blessed me with a gift of freedom.

In fact, my first gift of freedom came around Easter 1996.

Leading up to this, horses had become a god of sorts. Horses were my source of life, my source of purpose, and my source of identity. Anytime horses fell short of the god-role I had placed them in, I became more demanding, and perfectionism replaced what once had been a harmonious partnership.

Then whenever my horse did anything where I felt out of control, hyper-ventilating panic attacks consumed me. I became so imprisoned in paralyzing fear that I only felt safe riding on a 10-meter circle, traveling to the left, on a calm day, with no distractions, in an indoor arena, at a slow walk.

Then one day I faced a crossroads: Either quit riding horses, what I was born for, or face the fear in humility, with courage and an open mind in hopes of overcoming it.

Yes, Brannaman’s words ring true, “Horses are a mirror to your soul.”

I am thankful that horses humbled me to realize they were not meant to be my source of life, God is.

Horses are a gift from God—not a god. I believe God allowed my crossroads experience to ultimately find what I had been searching for— an identity, a purpose, and meaning for life, which I found in Jesus Christ, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the only way to the Father.”

Not only that, but God has also given me the courage to face my fears and overcome them. Through dialogues of prayer and perseverance, God has given me a gift of freedom to do what I never imagined I would be doing with horses.

Today, I am enjoying many adventures I only dreamed of doing with my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse, Gift of Freedom. We are riding in the beauty of nature outside the four walls of an arena, participating in endurance rides, moving cows in sorting leagues, gymnastic jumping, and more. All without the straps of fear.

I’ve learned riding horses isn’t about controlling them when I am afraid. It is about humbly seeking God for strength, receiving His grace to persevere, learning to become a relaxed and confident leader with my horse, and building a trusted partnership.

Enjoy your journey!

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Gaited Horse Stories, Overcoming Riding Fear

Facing Fear, the Sequel

May 1, 2012 Jennifer Klitzke

By Jennifer Klitzke

Riding at the MN Horse Expo last year inspired a story I titled “Facing Fear.” This year’s return to the Expo inspired “The Sequel.” Horses have a way of catching me off guard. I think God uses this to keep me humble and remind me to draw my strength from Him.

Gift of Freedom (Makana) and I arrived early Thursday morning to familiarize ourselves with the Coliseum. Our warm up rides were terrific, and it seemed that she remembered being there the last two years riding at the MN State Fair and last year’s Horse Expo. “Piece of cake,” I thought. So I wasn’t worried about how she’d be the next few days.

Friday morning we warmed up relaxed and forward in the practice arena with about 30 other horses. Then our group was called to the Coliseum. As soon as we approached the Coliseum gate, the announcer’s animated voice escalations and expectant crowd clapping panicked Makana. I felt like I was riding on a stiff plank caught by a swirling cyclone. The relaxation, softness and suppleness we had achieved just seconds before entering the Coliseum, quickly vanished. It was all I could do just to stay on. It seemed that nothing had prepared me for “Facing Fear, the Sequel.”

Returning to the barn, discouragement came over me like an ominous thundercloud. I thought about all of the preparation just to be there and the years of dressage study, lessons, clinics, shows, and experiences Makana and I have had together. How could we have been more prepared for this? It was daunting to think of facing four more demonstration rides. I wondered how I could regain control to show Makana’s true talent? Most importantly, how would I manage my anxiety knowing how explosive she had been? Certainly it would be easier to just to pack up and go home.

Saturday afternoon I watched Larry Whitesell and Jennifer Bauer’s gaited dressage demonstration. Larry explained the importance of relaxation, rhythm and balance beginning with the apex (poll). Larry said that if a horse is tense in the poll, it will brace through the whole body which will make bending impossible. I certainly understood what that felt like. Larry also said that a relaxed horse is a happy and safer horse to ride. If the horse is panicked, it’s the rider’s job to help the horse find relaxation and balance. In Larry’s words, “Teach the horse what TO do instead of punishing him for what NOT to do.” A horse’s fight and flight instincts need to be met with relaxation, balance and rhythm, not punishment. Punishing a horse for panicking only makes a horse distrust the rider’s leadership more.

Sunday morning I spent an hour teaching Makana how to relax at the poll from the ground and then while in the saddle. We faced our fear empowered with Larry’s helpful tools of relaxation, rhythm, and balance (and yes, lots and lots of prayer).

Gift of Freedom ridden by Jennifer Klitzke — At the 2012 Minnesota Horse Expo, Larry Whitesell explained the importance of teaching a nervous horse relaxation and balance which makes it safer to ride and improves a horse’s trust in the handler.

Story: Facing Fear>

Gaited Horse Stories, Overcoming Riding Fear

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

August 2, 2011 Jennifer Klitzke

Naturally Gaited TWH Trail Pleasure Class — Jennifer Klitzke riding Gift of Freedom in the Amateur-Owner-Trainer-Owner-Trainer Three-gait Tennessee walking horse class at the 2011 Mid-Summerfest Celebration Show in Cannon Falls, MN.

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

By Jennifer Klitzke

The three-day 2011 Mid-Summer Celebration Show held at Simon’s Arena in Cannon Falls, MN drew talented Tennessee walking horses and well-schooled riders from Canada, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Jennie Jackson who is also the owner and trainer of the famous TWH dressage stallion Champagne Watchout was the judge of the Walking Horse classes. The show also featured Saddlebred, Morgan, Hackney, and Arabian classes.

A blue ribbon doesn’t always tell the whole story, but let me tell you, I worked hard for this one.

Gift of Freedom (Makana), my seven-year-old Tennessee walking horse and I won the Amateur-Owner-Trainer Three-Gaited Tennessee walking Horse class, and yes, we were the only entry.

After our ride, Judge Jackson commented, “That was really brave!” (You’ll understand what she meant in a moment.)

For me, the 2011 Mid-Summer Celebration Show was a new twist on an old cliché; it was about “the good” that came through “the bad and the ugly.” It seemed that Makana and I were off to a great start. She had an unusual amount of energy despite the 105-degree heat index. She had the right amount of energy for flat walk, running walk, and canter.

The lineup was another story. Makana normally shines in the lineup by standing calmly and backing soft and round on cue. Instead she exuberantly expressed a desire to back before it was our turn. She backed and backed and backed so much that the Judge Jackson excused us to the end of the lineup. When Judge Jackson reached the end of the lineup, she didn’t even ask us to back⸺maybe for fear that the class may never end! It was a good ride gone bad, and one we continued to practice class after class after class until our blue ribbon ride. From there it got ugly.

Gift of Freedom and I rode respectably through flat walk, running walk, and canter during her solo ride. She even stood calmly in a lonely lineup and backed softly on cue.

“Phew!” I thought.

Moments later the announcer declared us the winner. That’s when the whoop-whoop cheering Saddlebred crowd ignited Makana’s dance moves. She swirled through the air, around and around and around like a top and wore a hole through my panic button. The sequenced-dressed blue ribbon lady spun around like a disco ball to the beat of the organ music while she prayed for an opportunity to transfer the beautiful blue ribbon to my jacket.

Somehow, even without Photoshop, the show photographer actually captured a smile through this frightening frenzy.

Makana continues to teach me humility⸺or humiliation⸺whichever comes first. (Next time I’ll remember that humility is far more pleasant!)

“The good” that came through “the bad and the ugly” was the encouragement I received from many long-time competitors.

“I’ve been there, too,” each one would say.

I wasn’t alone in my fear and frustration when things don’t go according my plan. Each person encouraged me to persevere and face the next class with confidence. Some offered helpful tips like, “Remember to breathe,” and “Think of turning Makana’s antics into schooling opportunities.”

Another “good” that came from the Mid-Summer Celebration was the thrill of meeting national clinician Anita Howe and watching her ride her signature head nodding naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse stallion Papa’s Royal Delight who won a Grand Championship. Anita watched some of our rides and offered insights to help us establish better balance, softness, and engagement that will improve our flat walk, running walk, and canter.

If I had not experienced “the bad and the ugly,” I would have missed “the good” that many seasoned competitors like Anita Howe had to share. The blue ribbon reminds me of the good people who encouraged me when I wanted to pack up and go home. And the blue ribbon reminds me that I find a “gift of freedom” whenever I face my fears with a breath of fresh air.

What are your thoughts? Please reach out and send me a message or stay connected by subscribing to the Naturally Gaited youtube channel and “like” us on facebook.com/naturallygaited.

Overcoming Riding Fear

Facing Fear

May 24, 2011 Jennifer Klitzke

Facing Fear

By Jennifer Klitzke

Whoosh! A Nokota drill team zips into the arena. The horses are ridden by young women half my age. I’m dressed in my formal English attire, and awaiting our team performance at the Minnesota Horse Expo. The arena is filling up with more Nokotas. In an effort to respectfully stay out of their way, I ask the fearless Nakota leader, “Do you mind if I join your drill practice?”

Hearing muffled snickers through the team’s gestures, “Sure,” the leader replies.

My Tennessee Walking Horse, Makana’s white braids swing wildly with each nod as we tag along.

Suddenly the young women stop and form a circle with their horses facing inward. Thinking the drill pattern is complete, I ride away.

“Hey, we’re not finished yet,” the Nokota team says as they and motion me to join the circle.

As Makana and I return the young women arise onto the backs of their Nokotas, slide off the backends, run from behind their horses, hop back into their saddles, swing a leg over to one side, and flip off their saddles backwards faster than you can say ‘Jimmy Johns.’

Now I know what the muffled snickers were about!

I thank them for their kindness and ride out of the arena where we encounter a wooden bridge trail obstacle. We face the object until Makana relaxes. Then we take a couple steps onto the bridge.

A few minutes later the Nokotas blast by and applaud our efforts.

You see, if you knew me 30 years ago, I was young and fearless like the Nokota riders. I was a trail guide. It was a dream job: ride for free and get paid for it, too! However, the guides rode the mystery horses that had just gotten purchased from auction. We introduced them to the trail and rode bareback for lack of saddles. I was game.

One summer evening I led a group out for an hour-long sunset trail ride. Half into our ride, the wind began to swirl through the mature forest. Fireflies and lightning lit our way as the ominous clouds set the tone. Sounds of distant thunder grew near. Then drops became waves cascading from the sky.

Riding bareback on a drenched mystery horse straight from the auction trailer was like riding with the Nokota drill team for me. I led our group safely back to the club house with a thrilling story to share.

Still invincible, five years later I was talked into the talent of a four-year-old off-the-track thoroughbred mare. I was clearly over horsed and under skilled. It didn’t end well. I fell off more times than kept track. Fearlessness now replaced with phobia. I faced a crossroads: Quit riding horses or face the fear.

Thankfully the latter won out.

Fear hasn’t disappeared, but it has been managed by perseverance, good instruction, finding a suitable mount, wise counsel, and my faith in God.

Will you see me standing on my saddle, flipping of the side, and riding bridleless and bareback with the Nakota team?

Maybe next year.