PREflight – building the foundations for success
As the eventing* season winds down, our sponsored rider, Ginny Howe, can look back on a busy and successful year. From weathering unpredictable spring storms to producing and competing with an impressive line-up of young horses, Ginny has navigated both the challenges and rewards of the 2024 season. With some great results from promising horses like CHF Captain Jacob (fondly known as Arlo) and her talented young stallion Chanuck Z (Tommy), Ginny has ended the season on a high note. Now, as she shifts gears for winter, she’s turning her focus from competing to preparing these young athletes for the future - a phase that perfectly aligns with our quarterly Juniper theme of PREflight.
Embracing the PREflight mindset
At The Juniper Co., we believe that great achievements start with preparation. Our PREflight theme emphasises the importance of groundwork and thoughtful planning in any journey, whether it’s for personal development, career growth, or athletic pursuits. Much like Ginny’s work with her horses, we recognise that meaningful progress is rooted in careful, intentional preparation. For Ginny, this means using the winter months to lay the foundation for future success; helping each horse learn, develop, and gain the skills they’ll need to excel in competition. Ginny is fortunate to have a lot of young talented horses right now, so the next few years are set to be busy!
The off-season: a time for growth and learning
With the eventing season running from March to October, the off-season is Ginny’s time to nurture each horse’s unique potential. Over the coming months, she’ll work intensively with each of her horses, focusing on their individual needs, strengths, and areas for growth. For the older horses, this period will begin with a well-earned holiday in the field and will then be about gradually building strength and fitness, learning new skills and making sure their heads are in the right place. For the less experienced horses, Ginny will use this time to help them gain confidence, improve their skills, and build a deeper partnership – all crucial ingredients for success when the next season arrives.
In many ways, this approach mirrors how we support personal and professional growth at The Juniper Co. The quieter times provide a valuable opportunity to step back, assess, and make meaningful progress toward the goals we want to achieve. For Ginny, this means focusing on each horse’s development without the pressure of competition. For us, it means investing in skills, knowledge, and self-awareness so we’re prepared to take on new challenges with confidence.
Preparing for future success: what we can learn from Ginny’s PREflight phase
Ginny’s commitment to preparation with her horses offers valuable insights that can inspire all of us to approach our personal and professional journeys with a similar mindset. Here are some ways we can apply her approach to our own development:
- Evaluate where you are and set clear goals
Before launching into the next big challenge, take the time to assess where you are. What are your strengths? Where do you want to grow? Ginny’s winter training is tailored to each horse’s unique potential and areas for improvement, a model that can inspire us to set clear, personalised goals for our own journeys. - Embrace the learning phase
Just as Ginny uses the winter to teach her young horses foundational skills, we can also use quieter times to build on our own foundations. This might mean taking up new courses, developing technical skills, or working on personal development areas like resilience and communication. Like Ginny’s horses, we become stronger with each learning experience, preparing us for bigger challenges ahead. - Trust the process of growth
Development takes time, patience, and trust in the process. Ginny knows her young horses need space to grow at their own pace, and she works with them, accordingly, building confidence gradually. For us, embracing the PREflight mindset means giving ourselves the grace to develop over time, knowing that with consistent effort, we’re moving closer to our goals. - Stay focused on the bigger picture
Ginny’s dedication to her horses’ growth is driven by a clear vision for their future success. Similarly, keeping our long-term goals in mind can help us stay motivated and focused, especially when progress feels slow. The steps we take now, though they may seem small, build the foundation for future achievements. - Enjoy the journey
Finally, the off-season is a time to reconnect with the joy of what you do. Without the immediate pressures of competition, Ginny can fully enjoy the process of training her horses, celebrating each milestone along the way. Likewise, taking time to appreciate each step in our own journey can make the process feel less daunting and more fulfilling.
Looking forward to a promising future
Ginny’s work with Arlo, Tommy, and her other young horses embodies the PREflight theme: preparation that’s intentional, strategic, and full of possibility. By dedicating time and energy to this important phase, she’s setting up her horses - and herself - for success in the seasons to come.
Ginny’s approach serves as a powerful reminder for all of us of the value of preparation in our own personal and professional growth. Just as she invests in her horses’ development, we can invest in ourselves, ensuring we’re ready to face challenges with confidence and emerge stronger than ever.
We can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for Ginny and her horses.
*An equestrian triathlon including dressage, show jumping and x-country phases over one, two or three days, depending on the level of competition.