The Forging Ahead Academy
Train your mind.
Improve your ride.
Your riding journey isn’t just about your horse. It’s about you, too. A monthly library of mental skills, live talks, and support — learned at the pace your season actually allows.
Membership R500 per month. Stay for as long as it serves you.
You've invested in your horse.
You've had the lessons, put in the hours and worked on your technique.
But what happens when your confidence disappears?
When you hit a plateau, lose your motivation, or find yourself facing something in life that makes riding feel difficult?
I've been there.
I've Been There - Linda's Note
After returning to riding after 15 years away, progressing from novice dressage to eventing, managing competition anxiety, losing a horse who meant the world to me, and rebuilding confidence after a concussion, I’ve learned that mental skills are a lifelong journey. It's something you return to, throughout your riding life.
That’s why I created the Forging Ahead Academy: an online learning and support space to help riders develop their mental skills, understand themselves better and navigate whatever challenges come their way.
I know how much the mental side matters
When I returned to riding after a 15-year break, I never imagined I’d be jumping again, let alone competing in eventing.
I struggled with anxiety at dressage shows and worked hard on my mental skills — breathing, visualisation and positive self-talk. With my beloved Jazz, I progressed through the eventing grades to 95cm, with 1m show jumping.
Then I lost her. The grief was devastating, and my journey changed completely. Since then, I’ve had to rebuild my confidence, navigate a concussion and find the courage to ride again. I’m still learning, and that’s something I want you to know. Mental skills don’t mean you’ll never feel anxious, face setbacks or doubt yourself. The goal isn’t to become fearless, but to feel better equipped to face whatever comes your way.
As a qualified coach, sports psychology practitioner and lifelong rider, I bring both professional knowledge and lived experience to my work. I’m not a perfect rider with all the answers — just someone who understands the challenges, knows the tools and wants to help you find your own way forward.
Welcome to the Forging Ahead Academy
Your personal library of mental skills, learning and support.
The Academy brings together practical course material across different learning streams, so you can focus on what matters to you.
Work through a course or dip into a video whenever you need a reminder, fresh perspective or encouragement.
Learn at your own pace, revisit material anytime, and keep developing your mental game as your riding and life evolve.
Foundations of Focus
Nine essential mental skills for sporting performance.
Foundations of Focus introduces nine essential mental skills to help you improve focus, manage pressure, work with your thoughts, set goals and respond constructively when things don’t go to plan.
Practical skills to build, strengthen and return to throughout your riding journey.
Happy Horse Shows
Understand yourself. Understand your horse. Enjoy the day.
Ever wondered why you and your horse experience the same situation differently? Happy Horse Shows explores personality through the Enneagram, helping you understand your patterns and preferences, recognise differences in temperament and behaviour, and find new ways to navigate competition and strengthen your partnership.
Back to Basics
Body. Mind. Soul. A reset for riding under pressure.
Your physical state, thoughts, emotions and sense of purpose all influence how you show up. Back to Basics explores the interplay between body, mind and soul, helping you prepare for riding under pressure — in competition and beyond. Come back to the fundamentals when you need to reset, reconnect and create a stronger foundation for your riding.
The Grief & Grieving Talks
For the moments when life doesn’t go to plan.
Losing a special horse can be heartbreaking, affecting your confidence, motivation, identity and relationship with riding.
Having experienced this loss myself, I’ve created talks on grief and grieving to help riders navigate these difficult experiences with understanding, reflection and practical support.
You don’t have to pretend you’re fine or rush your journey.
More than a Library of Videos
Your mental game deserves ongoing attention
Monthly toolbox talks
A group call on the subjects actually affecting riders. New perspectives, shared experience, something practical to take back to the yard.
Learn at your own pace
No weekly lesson to keep up with. Open a course when it suits you. Come back the week you need the reminder.
Support when you need more
Sometimes a video is enough. Sometimes it isn’t. Members receive discounted rates for one-to-one coaching.
Who it’s for
You don't need to be an elite competitor. You don't need to be at a crisis point.
Any age, any discipline. You simply need to be willing to invest in the person who turns up to ride.
You feel anxious or doubtful even though the training is there
You want more focus when you compete
You’re working toward a new goal or a higher level
You’re coming back after a break, a fall, or a hard season
You want to understand yourself and your horse more clearly
You’re navigating grief, disappointment, or change
You want skills you can actually practise
You believe the person in the saddle is part of the work
A little more about me
Linda Hennings
Founder of Forging Ahead Mental Skills Coaching. I'm a qualified coach, a mental skills practitioner and an Enneagram-accredited practitioner. I'm also a lifelong equestrian who has experienced the highs, the setbacks, the anxiety and the sheer joy of this sport.
I created Forging Ahead because I know that the mental side of riding deserves the same attention as the physical and technical side.
I also know that life doesn't stop happening just because we have goals to achieve.
My approach is practical, personal and grounded in the belief that we can keep learning. I want to help you build the skills to navigate pressure, respond to setbacks and enjoy your riding more — without pretending that every day will be easy.
I'm still doing the work myself. And I'd love to help you do yours.
Join the Academy
Train your mind.
Improve youR ride.
The library, the talks, and a way back in whenever the mental game needs work again.
R500 / month
The full course library, yours to revisit
Monthly toolbox talks with other riders
No weekly timetable — watch what you need
Discounted one-to-one coaching if you want it
Stay for as long as the Academy serves you, subject to the membership terms. Not a substitute for professional care.
JOIN THE ACADEMY
Train your mind.
Improve your ride.
The library, the talks, and a way back in whenever the mental game needs work again.
R500 / month
The full course library, yours to revisit
Monthly toolbox talks with other riders
No weekly timetable — watch what you need
Discounted one-to-one coaching if you want it
Stay for as long as the Academy serves you, subject to the membership terms. Not a substitute for professional care.