Today we’d like to introduce you to Cara Blanchard.
Hi Cara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I started my training business in 2005 to train horses. The economy plummeted a few years later, and a handful of those clients’ horses that came for training became part of our family. I decided to give them a job and built a busy and successful riding lesson program. Around the time my son was born in 2020, I realized it was time to start considering what would happen to my business when the horses, now seniors, needed to retire. I decided to build my knowledge unconventionally for my riding students and became a Certified Professional Life Coach. I also got certified in yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness. I wanted to help my riders improve their biomechanics and be mindful of how their mental health affects their horses. I’m pregnant with baby number two and had a special request to teach a remote virtual lesson, so I tried it. I fell in love with the concept and ability to help others nationwide. Now, I teach mainly virtually. This change has been fantastic for my growing family and helping like-minded equestrians. I have never been happier! I have a private “virtual barn family” group on social media where I share extra training exercises and equestrian-related yoga tips with my students, and we have a great sense of community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being a professional in the horse industry has been a challenging experience in the park. It’s very tricky to make your passion your profession because the bumps in the road can throw you off course and make you question why you do it in the first place. I found my happy place in teaching remote lessons purely by trial and error, stepping outside my comfort zone and trying several avenues until I found the right one for me. If you have a dream in your heart, don’t let it go! Keep trying different options and taking opportunities that come your way until you find what makes you feel fulfilled.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in helping dressage enthusiasts most interested in building a lasting and growing relationship with their equine partners. I help my students with everything from their mindset to balancing their physical body (on the ground and in the saddle) to managing anxiety to equine movement training and biomechanics to perfecting the basics of the training scale and building happy, healthy horses that look forward to their time with their human and progress up the ladder of dressage. I promote all these things and encourage others to chase their dreams via my social media accounts and blog. I offer virtual lessons for riders of all levels several days a week, including weekends, for students nationwide.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success begins with daily gratitude. It is fulfillment, happiness, and joy found in life’s simple pleasures and little things.
Pricing:
- $100/hour lesson
Contact Info:
- Website: CaraBlanchard.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/carablanchardtraining
- Facebook: Facebook.com/teamcbt
Image Credits
Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography
