The Inspired Equestrian Journal: Supporting Riders on Every Step of the Journey

There are multiple options but I got pink because of course I did

If you ride, you’ll know the feeling—one week you’re buzzing after a great session, the next you’re wondering why nothing seems to be going right. Progress in this sport can feel unpredictable, and it’s easy to lose sight of where you started. And let’s be honest, the idea that it might be the horse having an off day? That rarely crosses our minds. We’re so quick to blame ourselves, even though we’re working with a living, feeling animal who has their own moods too. It’s something I see again and again—not just in myself, but in nearly every rider I work with.

It’s also exactly why the Inspired Equestrian Journal exists.

The idea came from Sam, an equestrian and graphic designer who, like most of us, used to jot down useful lesson notes wherever she could. The problem? They’d vanish into the void. She’d forget where she wrote them, or never look back. Even setting them as her phone background didn’t make a difference.

Eventually, she decided to make something that actually worked. A journal built for the way equestrians ride, think, and learn—not just a blank notebook with a pretty cover. At first, it was just for her. But as other riders saw it, they wanted one too. Turns out, she wasn’t the only one who needed a better way to track the journey.

The result is a journal that meets riders where they are—whether they’re riding every day, just coming back from injury, or figuring out how to build consistency. It’s undated, so you can start at any time, and it includes:

• 52 weekly training pages

• 260 daily ride logs (5 per week)

• 52 lesson journals

• 30 competition/show journals

• Monthly planners and goal-tracking pages

• Horse health logs (vet, farrier, dentist, worming, vaccinations)

• Horse vital signs reference

• Space for lightbulb moments

• Motivational quotes and tips throughout

The first step to reaching your goals is to actaully set them

But what sets it apart is how easily it fits into the rhythm of real life. Some days you're consistent, other days you're just doing your best to show up. This journal gives you a way to keep track without adding pressure. It helps you stay connected to your progress, even when things feel a bit off—and that kind of quiet support can make all the difference.

Why This Journal Matters

I’ve seen the value of something like this both in my own journey and in my work with clients.

A while back, my own horse—who’s now retired—reinjured himself. It was one of those slow, frustrating recoveries where progress felt invisible most days. Anyone who’s dealt with a tendon injury knows what I mean: weeks and weeks of what feels like nothing changing. But being able to track those small shifts—less heat, better movement, tiny signs of healing—would have made such a difference. Having something tangible to look back on helps you realise you are moving forward, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

As a strength coach, I also see this with riders all the time. One client in particular comes to mind—someone who has made genuine, visible progress over the last few months. I’m talking about real change in her balance, confidence, how she rides her transitions, how her horse responds. But she can’t see it.

She’s already focused on the next thing. The next problem to fix. The next box to tick.

And that’s so common in this sport. We’re driven. We care. But we rarely stop to take stock of what’s actually working. Instead, we brush past the wins and go straight into “what’s next?” The journal creates a pause. A space to look back with clarity and notice progress you might have otherwise missed.

Using the Journal Consistently (And Why It Changes Everything)

One of the most powerful things about this journal isn’t just what you write in it—it’s what happens when you keep coming back to it.

The pages give you space for more than just your riding notes. You’re logging how you felt, what the weather was like, what went well, what didn’t, and what your plan is next time. And when you start to track those things consistently, you begin to spot patterns—ones you’d never notice if you were just carrying it all in your head.

Maybe your horse gets sharp when it’s windy. Maybe they’re more sluggish when it’s warm. Or maybe they’re absolutely fine—and it’s you who rides differently on those days. When you can look back with context, it becomes easier to see what’s really going on. You start to realise that the issue isn’t always you—and that clarity can be a game changer.

It also gives you a pause before spiralling. We build up so many things that we quietly blame ourselves for. But when you write it down, and come back to it with a clear head, you get the space to ask: “Is this actually true?” Instead of assuming the worst or brushing past it, you’re giving yourself the time to process—and that alone can shift your whole mindset.

Tracking each ride lets you find the patterns

The Progress You Don’t Want to Miss

Progress in riding isn’t always linear. Some weeks we fly. Others, we fall apart. But the steps we take—especially the ones that don’t feel flashy—are still part of the journey.

A journal like this isn’t just about logging rides or ticking boxes. It’s about recognising your effort. Seeing the patterns. Noticing what’s working. And learning to give yourself credit, even on the tough days.

Because when you can see how far you’ve come, it’s a lot easier to trust where you’re going.

You can find the Inspired Equestrian Journal at Trends Equine Gift Store, and if you’d like 10% off sitewide, you can use the code SITS10 at checkout.

Because wherever you are in your riding journey—your progress is worth remembering.