New Year, New Goals – With Logan Harris

Hi, I’m Logan Harris, a professional event rider based in Monroe, North Carolina, and proud WeatherBeeta Brand Ambassador. As we head into a new year, winter is the perfect time to reset, refocus, and put the building blocks in place for a successful season ahead. Winter can be a tough time to stay motivated, but it’s also one of the most valuable periods for making real progress with your horse.

Here are my top winter riding tips to help set you up for success in the year ahead.

Winter can be a rough season. Between the holidays, changing schedules and unpredictable weather, it’s easy to let riding slip, but the biggest tip I can give is to keep getting in the saddle. The more consistent time you spend riding your horse, the more progress you’re going to make.

When motivation dips, I like to reflect on the past season and what I want to improve, what didn’t quite go to plan, and what I know will make a difference in the upcoming show season. I also remind myself that while it might be tempting to take time off, there are plenty of competitors out there still training. If they’re riding and you’re not, they’ll be the ones coming out prepared. Winter prep really does pay off when spring and summer roll around.

One thing I spend a lot of time on during winter, both with my own horses and my clients’, is technical work. This isn’t always something you can fully focus on when you’re busy preparing for shows.

Technical exercises don’t mean jumping big tracks or riding full courses. Instead, they’re about the smaller details: transitions, leg yields, grid work, bounces and exercises that challenge accuracy, balance and control. These are the skills that really come into play when you’re riding a show course.

These exercises can feel tough, and at times it might feel like you’re failing, but that’s completely normal. They’re meant to be challenging. The key is repetition, patience and finding small improvements each session. Those little wins are what add up and ultimately lead to success when it matters.

Winter is also a great time to make changes to your program. If you’ve been thinking about adjusting tack, trying something new, or refining your horse’s routine, now is the time to do it. During the competition season, if things are going well, there’s often no reason to make changes, but winter gives you the space to experiment without pressure.

This could mean trying different bits, introducing new martingales, or looking closely at your horse’s schedule and management. Are they happy with their turnout? Are they spending enough time outside? Do you need to make changes to support their overall wellbeing?

Your horse’s happiness plays a huge role in your success as a partnership. Paying attention to how they feel, how they perform, and seeking professional advice when needed can make a big difference long-term.

Winter may not be the easiest season, but it’s one of the most important. Put the work in now, stay consistent, and those efforts will show when the competition season arrives. Wishing you all the best for the year ahead!