What Dirt Biking Taught Me About Horseback Riding

Over the last few years, I’ve added a new hobby to my life that has challenged me in ways I never expected—dirt biking. I bought my first dirt bike four years ago, and since then, it’s been a wild ride full of adrenaline, failure, passion, fear, perseverance, and growth.

As a horseback riding instructor at Concordia Stables, so much of what I help my clients work through in their riding correlates similarly to what I am continuously working through in learning how to ride my dirt bike in my thirties. I strongly believe if you're going to talk the talk, you got to walk the walk . . . or ride your dirt bike!

My dirt biking journey has mirrored the same learning curve my horseback riding students face in the saddle.

Recently, I decided to practice what I preach and signed up for a one-day motocross course. While I’ve had amazing private lessons from my instructor, Greg Pamart, who has had a huge impact on my skill set, these one-on-one experiences were very much in my comfort zone. This clinic, howver, pushed me way outside of my comfort zone. It was a group setting, on a track I barely knew, surrounded by riders far more experienced than I.

I was nervous.

I was underprepared.

But I showed up.

And I’m so glad I did.

Allowing yourself to be where you are at and embracing the opportunities in front of you opens so many more doors!

Growth doesn’t come from waiting until you’re “ready.” It comes from saying yes to what’s in front of you.

Inspired (and maybe a little crazy), I signed up for my very first race that same weekend. It was a mixed-terrain race with a grass track, technical woods sections, and parts of a motocross track. Let's just say I was a bit nervous, not so much about the riding, but more about being out on a track with 50 plus other riders that all had way more experience than me.

I was full of excitement and fear all at the same time! I knew it was in line with my skill set but at the same time something I have never done before!

I did the thing I ask my students to do every day: I stepped outside my comfort zone. And by doing that, I gained something I never would have otherwise experience.

Did I ride perfectly? No. Were there moments I wish I could redo? Of course.

This race gave me a whole new understanding of what it takes to show up in a competitive environment, and what I need to work on, both technically and mentally. It gave me clarity about where I want to go in the sport and reminded me that progress comes from taking action—even when it’s uncomfortable.

I walked away from the weekend with new confidence, a few lessons learned, and one slightly mangled rear brake lever. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Here’s the takeaway I want to leave you with, whether you're a rider at Concordia Stables or someone chasing a goal of your own:

We only live once. Growth requires discomfort. Experience builds confidence. So whatever your “race” looks like—get out there and ride it.

See you at the barn (or maybe on the track),

Kaitlyn 

Follow along at concordiastables.com and on social for more behind-the-scenes stories from the barn, rider tips, and personal reflections from Kaitlyn and the Concordia team.

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