#105 Updating your version of success with Anna Buffini

00:00:01: In this episode, we're talking with US dressage writer Anna Bofini.

00:00:26: along, and I would say really focus on making the journey a fuller life.

00:00:33: Welcome to The Equestrian Connection podcast from WeHorse!

00:00:37: My name is Danielle Crowell And i'm your host.

00:00:39: Anna Bafini is professional dressage rider with accomplishments such as being two times world cup finalist four time senior nation's Cup team member the twenty sixteen under-twenty five national champion.

00:00:56: Anna is such an inspiration to many riders and a role model for equestrians of all ages.

00:01:01: This is our second podcast interview together, And we're catching up with what she's upto these days.

00:01:06: What has changed since last spoke about four years ago?

00:01:10: So let's

00:01:12: dive

00:01:15: in!

00:01:22: Thank you, I'm excited to be here.

00:01:24: You're really my first podcast post kind of not competing anymore, so it's exciting.

00:01:31: to start with you.

00:01:33: That sounds awesome.

00:01:33: I feel like we should have that breaking news

00:01:38: everyone!

00:01:39: Oh i've got some breaking news on here too So your gonna be the first one to hear something.

00:01:45: Okay oh my gosh this is incredible.

00:01:46: Alright The First Time We Did A Podcast It has literally been four years.

00:01:50: I think it was twenty-twenty two.

00:01:52: I Think You're a podcast fourteen which is wild or something like that.

00:01:58: Don't quote me on that, it's around there but its just-.

00:02:00: It's wild to think it was four years ago and theres been some pretty big change for you not only within those past four years But even recently as well.

00:02:11: so can you fill us in what life looks like now?

00:02:14: Yeah, so after twenty-twenty two I was able to make the World Cup.

00:02:38: pretty devastating story through that, but I haven't fully shared um which i probably will today.

00:02:44: so some more news.

00:02:46: Um and it just-I really felt like It was a healthy thing for me to take a step back from competing And it was really hard!

00:02:54: It wasn't just Like oh... I hate

00:02:56: this!!

00:02:56: I'm burnout.. I'm done like forget the sport.

00:02:59: It was like.... I love this

00:03:00: sport!!!

00:03:01: I've poured my entire life into it.

00:03:03: Its I've given everything.

00:03:05: I just feel like the healthiest thing for me to do right now is take a step back.

00:03:12: And it was so hard, but It really was the right thing to do and...I still don't know if i'm gonna come back or not But I know that whatever comes next in what is coming next Is truly from Like The Healthiest Place I've Ever Been.

00:03:31: I couldn't have gotten there without this whole journey.

00:03:33: So, i'm not like.

00:03:34: oh you know...like..I hated my journey.

00:03:35: it was so dark!

00:03:36: It was SO

00:03:37: beautiful!!

00:03:37: It was so

00:03:38: hard!!!

00:03:38: There were so many great highs and great lows ummm....and I didn't take a step back because I HATED anything which is what I love.

00:03:45: You Know?

00:03:46: Its Not-It's NOT A Bitter Ending.

00:03:48: IT WAS JUST AN ENDING UP LIKE IT NEEDED TO HAPPEN.

00:03:51: AND I'VE GROWN SO MUCH THROUGH THIS PAST YEAR AND I REALLY AM EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE BECAUSE I THINK WHAT I'm hoping to build can only have happened through taking a step back.

00:04:07: There's I just don't want this for myself anymore is a valid reason to stop anything.

00:04:16: And, and i try to keep that in mind anytime that im thinking

00:04:19: like

00:04:20: you know ive put so much time into it or any of those other excuses we come up with as well the other voices from family friends people who dont even know us.

00:04:32: they give their unsolicited advice And one of the things you said was, your decision.

00:04:38: where you're thinking like I don't know is this where i'm going to stay or will come back into this sport.

00:04:45: That's such a beautiful thing about life that we are able to ebb and flow and come go but nothing has to be concrete.

00:04:53: sometimes I think we forget it.

00:04:58: We've already put so much time in what I have to say So I have to keep going.

00:05:07: You know, and it's just not necessarily the case And you're such an inspiration To so many people on-and off The horse in a note of the saddle With your public showcase Of that To show people what It looks like To see someone say i'm gonna do this for myself Um...And I think its beautiful.

00:05:28: So I wanna commend you For That

00:05:30: Thankyou.

00:05:32: What was that decision Like?

00:05:34: Yeah.

00:05:35: Well, hearing you say that now I've gotten to the place where it's like It's okay for...I'm done For Now.

00:05:41: To Be Enough Like That Is Okay Because i felt like I've been training for twenty years.

00:05:47: Everybody Knows My Goals Um.. I Wanted To Try And Make The Olympics Since I Was Three and You Know More Than That Just Like Competed A High Level US Teams And I was So Worried About Everyone's Perception Until Got To a Place Where I Was Like.

00:06:04: I don't care about what anybody thinks, i have to take a step back.

00:06:08: And a huge part of it was like...I've been building this pipeline of horses and I had gotten five babies because the sport is so expensive!

00:06:18: Me and my dad were a business team and we worked so hard together.

00:06:21: he would flip houses and then I would train and we would tackle the sport together.

00:06:27: that's how we're able get Fientini.

00:06:28: she he had this one house.

00:06:30: He got when he was twenty and he flipped it, and I'm going to save the flip for something

00:06:36: special."

00:06:36: And Fientini came.

00:06:38: so that's how we got her!

00:06:40: It wasn't just like yeah...it is SO special.

00:06:45: but here i have all of these.

00:06:47: It has been twenty years working with him to get a horse for his shot.

00:06:55: Yeah, so just along the years like I had we got five baby horses.

00:06:59: three of them passed away.

00:07:00: Like one had tumors One essentially broke a leg.

00:07:04: one um like Just you know down the line one was neurological one Was for three months after i started him?

00:07:13: was Like lame for life and I wrote him Three times.

00:07:17: You know.

00:07:18: So just freak things.

00:07:19: he grew from seven or sixteen hands to seventeen.

00:07:21: three in six months.

00:07:24: just freak things happen and that's something people don't see.

00:07:28: It's like every horse rider, I don't care who you're watching.

00:07:31: they are all struggling.

00:07:33: They were going through the hardest time And because of their having a great time on Instagram does not mean there is an easy time in life.

00:07:41: it doesn't mean we have to show them hard parts either Because its subject so much judgment.

00:07:50: It's just there is so much going on behind the scenes people don't see and it wasn't really like, to a point where I was getting too hard.

00:08:09: wouldn't ride her in, and I just treated her a different way.

00:08:13: And I refused to do some things that were done to her in the past.

00:08:16: That led to like her having you know...a bad mouth?

00:08:19: Like i'm not gonna put the nose man super tight so she's a mouthy girl!

00:08:24: She has been mouthy since she was young.

00:08:27: especially nowadays it is no longer accepted into sport at all to have a mouth-y horse and that fair enough.

00:08:33: sometimes there are signs of being mistreated or something else.

00:08:38: It's so hard, this sport.

00:08:40: Everybody is trying their best but truly like I have no horses it got to my pipeline passed away or was unhealthy from freak things five six horses and there just nowhere to go after Fio didn't work out because of her mouth issues.

00:09:09: Again, even right now I feel like I need to give an unbelievable answer to you as to why I stopped.

00:09:16: Like okay what are people gonna think?

00:09:18: And I'm literally

00:09:18: expecting nothing!

00:09:21: Because we all love you but... You know i'm like What's going be a headline tomorrow based on what I say Right Now or y'know All that stuff and it just simply was like I had no more horses than I was tired And I didn't want to keep competing at that moment.

00:09:39: and i felt like a loser for thinking about it, you see kathryn do four in lottie frye.

00:09:47: they are just absolute bosses pushing them and riding twenty horses per day so successful.

00:09:53: its easy to be like im such a looser look at them.

00:09:58: ive been in rooms with them ,they have normal struggles.

00:10:02: We just don't see it all and they have different lives.

00:10:05: And I'm so happy for them, and my life is

00:10:07: different.".

00:10:09: The fact that... ...I thought i would be so hated for walking away and called lazy a loser or whatever.

00:10:19: the opposite happened.

00:10:20: like people My followers are so wonderful because we really created community of Like the bases that love horses We want to be successful, the basis that we love horses.

00:10:34: And...we wanna be better for our horses!

00:10:37: For ourselves.

00:10:38: and more than anything I've gotten so many DMs about people who have been on the same journey and how relatable it is what i've been through to walk the same journey I have, and who has felt less shame because i am a more public figure in this sport.

00:10:58: And i'm more vulnerable about it.

00:11:00: um...and they don't feel alone.

00:11:02: And im just like well if that isn t success what is?

00:11:05: So long answer but thats alot of pieces.

00:11:15: You posted something recently, there's a carousel post.

00:11:18: It was kind of like the behind-the-scenes moment as a writer and you were really sharing some... ...of The Real?

00:11:26: Like we said earlier There is a highlight reel that we see on social media And then theres The Real.

00:11:32: So R E A L Or R E AL

00:11:34: Of The Real.

00:11:36: You know it was so refreshing to see That side of things.

00:11:40: One of the things that stood out to me, especially within that was there was a like A Day in The Life thing that followed you and did an interview or something.

00:11:54: Like I'm kind of doing this off memory here, paraphrasing it And people were calling you a lazy rider because You specifically wanted to highlight a day.

00:12:05: That wasn't such a grind Because you didn't want people to idolize that and think, I have to push myself like the brink of exhaustion in order to find success.

00:12:19: And instead you got a little bit of flak for that.

00:12:25: one of things when you said...I was just really tired as well is such a permission slip for so many of us.

00:12:34: i'm not a competitive rider.

00:12:37: I just, you know...I call it bebopping around with my horses.

00:12:40: We have our own small farm and i'm the one on the ground doing all of the work.

00:12:49: And so yesterday in particular was a day that thought I am going to work both my horse's at afternoon.

00:12:58: So in the morning I was cleaning all the paddocks.

00:13:01: Took me about two hours to pick them up.

00:13:06: We're starting a new pasture for my horses, so my dad came up with his tractor.

00:13:10: He mowed the pasture.

00:13:13: I was hauling out all of The dead stuff that we cut over the winter and we didn't clear because we had so much snow.

00:13:19: So i'm hauling all of these dead branches All of this you know Dead things were trying to clear off To make our pasture And it's completely exhausted.

00:13:28: It is so hot!

00:13:32: Here I am putting in so much work for my horses, and i don't have the energy from my horse.

00:13:39: And it is real life!

00:13:41: It's real life to say we are all equestrians whether you're competing or not.

00:13:46: We're doing our own version of a grind For Our Horses idea, this highlight reel that we're all supposed to be having these beautiful magical rides or working towards these goals when it's sometimes just not reality.

00:14:06: To see from someone such as yourself who has so many accolades and say I'm really tired Yeah.

00:14:21: So it's just

00:14:22: really

00:14:23: refreshing.

00:14:24: I have no question within

00:14:25: that, iIjust

00:14:25: wanted to say it

00:14:28: No!

00:14:28: I love that and its like.

00:14:29: thats the thing you don't think about You know?

00:14:31: There is such a small number of high performance riders because Its so hard And so expensive To get too.

00:14:38: The majority people are working their lives away in a corporate job Raising families and trying come alive.

00:14:47: And I'm like, that's actually the majority of this sport?

00:14:50: Yeah So it's like if you're supporting that part of the sport Like what are we doing?

00:14:54: yeah and i. That's why I just always said This I always go back to If You Are Absolutely Doing Your Best And You Have A Horse That Is Happy And Loved And Fed And Knows They're Cared For Like You have One.

00:15:08: And it sounds cliche and I know, It's like oh happy days.

00:15:11: But i'm just like...i've been to the top..I seen in almost every big competition!

00:15:17: I have seen all of the top riders and most are not that happy because we're striving for more.

00:15:22: There is always problems everywhere.

00:15:26: If you do a happy love horse You don't need to try anything else like you have one.

00:15:34: So, are riding your training?

00:15:36: You're living from a place of victory almost because it doesn't matter if you win WEG and your horse is miserable in my opinion.

00:15:47: completely agree I love that so much.

00:15:50: what some things stopped apologizing for as an equestrian whether behind the scenes within industry itself or also publicly on social media anywhere.

00:16:01: Yeah, I think i've stopped apologizing for being vulnerable and honest.

00:16:08: And For keeping these to myself.

00:16:11: I Think like that article was one of the first times.

00:16:14: you know everybody called me lazy?

00:16:16: I knew exactly Like my intention.

00:16:17: I knew what was going on.

00:16:19: um...and I just turned off Facebook and let the comments roll and Stopped explaining myself because there will always be someone who picks you apart in life too, not just a public figure anybody you know people at work other moms.

00:16:36: Other other work friends.

00:16:38: so um yeah I stopped apologizing for not having to explain myself and it puts a lot of weight on your integrity because like You need to live with a lot honesty and integrity if you're not going to explain yourself.

00:16:53: but i also I have a lot of people, i think that have seen me live life.

00:17:00: That would and have stuck up for me which is really cool.

00:17:04: so um...I'm just yeah..i'm kind of there!

00:17:08: And yeah it's not- I am not apologizing for trying to be as healthy as possible.

00:17:17: Yeah oh I love it so

00:17:18: much!!

00:17:19: I feel like I keep repeating this.

00:17:22: Was there like specific moments?

00:17:24: So, thinking back where you thought I think i'm chasing someone else's version of success rather than my own and then needing to redefine your specific version.

00:17:35: Like was there anything that stood out?

00:17:37: or was it kind of a tidal wave of accumulation of events?

00:17:43: It was almost... My version of Success was too intense Too much Kind of sacrifice so much and yes, you have to be all in.

00:17:57: You have to obsessive about something.

00:17:59: but I think that's why i always say especially the younger writers really make sure they find things outside of their sport that can fulfill them.

00:18:08: because it was just so...I would not date..I didn't really have friends....you know?

00:18:14: I was like horses train, horses train!

00:18:16: To some degree.

00:18:21: When it goes away or when is not going well, you have nothing like.

00:18:25: You need to try and have a full life while your chasing whatever dream you're chasing because in the end whether he gets his success are where do you fail?

00:18:35: It's really that journey.

00:18:36: remember now you get stand on the podium or you miss out on the Olympics And I think my memories aren't did.

00:18:43: day one of the day lost by memories are the whole journey along, and I would say really focus on making the journey a fuller life.

00:18:53: And i think that's what taking a break has really helped me do like...i have a great church community now..I have more friends....I have a fiancé.....like.

00:19:07: I was literally like.

00:19:07: you know what?

00:19:08: I'm just gonna be single in sixty and riding!

00:19:13: And not that there's something wrong with that, if that you're calling.

00:19:18: But mine was more out of like.

00:19:20: I'm going to try and do this the hardest way possible on The Most Intense Way Possible.

00:19:26: You need to have a balance so i think If I Do Come Back it will be very balanced almost feel like Alyssa Lou from the

00:19:33: Olympics.

00:19:33: Love her!

00:19:35: I Feel Like If I come back It'll Be Those Vibes.

00:19:40: The Pressure is So Different.

00:19:42: I'm going to enjoy the journey even more like i did, but just even more.

00:19:48: I'm gonna have a more balanced journey and um it's like even more than ever will not matter what anyone thinks or says.

00:19:57: yeah yes

00:19:58: Yeah absolutely You mentioned so.

00:20:01: you're not competitively riding at the moment however?

00:20:04: You are in correct me if i'm wrong still coaching And Did I see Like little hints about maybe doing some clinics.

00:20:10: Yes

00:20:11: So that is One of the breaking news is I'll break two at the same time.

00:20:15: Oh, okay here we

00:20:16: go listen in!

00:20:19: Okay so i've been teaching a little bit here and there um lot of friends and like I sold Flynn Rider my horse and I still train him but it's been...I pulled back so much because I needed like a year off And so I am going to announce that I'm gonna start training again, taking on clients especially online after my wedding which is in July and Hawaii.

00:20:43: This year?

00:20:45: Oh

00:20:45: my gosh that's so

00:20:46: exciting!

00:20:48: It'll

00:20:52: be so nice

00:20:53: yeah.

00:20:54: So maybe I'll do a like fit check And then i'll tell everyone I'm open for lessons Something Like That In The Dress.

00:21:03: I'm just like envisioning that right now.

00:21:07: Oh yeah, we have the content already in my head.

00:21:11: it's going to be fun but um yes so i still work for uh...I work in marketing right now on a corporate job.

00:21:18: But..i miss teaching ,i missed riding.

00:21:21: Um....i miss being with horses and being outside ..i miss helping see those breakthroughs of people.

00:21:26: So.....i am gonna start training full time again And clinics will probably start the next year, but yeah I'm gonna start again and really excited.

00:21:40: And then you never know if that opens doors to competing against.

00:21:44: so...

00:21:46: Absolutely!

00:21:46: Did i hear?

00:21:47: You say your doing it online lessons.

00:21:49: because I mean, we have a global audience here.

00:21:51: that's listening.

00:21:52: Right?

00:21:52: So

00:21:53: yes so actually the most of what i do right now and it has been so cool yeah so um yeah i do online lessons.

00:22:00: you can do with FaceTime if you have AirPods.

00:22:03: Um You could be with Pivo Pixim.

00:22:05: there are so many ways to do It.

00:22:06: And Yeah!

00:22:07: Its its been so Cool cause you Can help anyone around The world Around the country who may not Have access To Trainers.

00:22:15: And yeah, so it's been really fun.

00:22:18: I just had someone in the UK have some one from Ireland and maybe Australia soon?

00:22:24: So

00:22:24: oh love that is so cool That's okay.

00:22:27: Yeah It's i'm loving.

00:22:29: there are so many things like you know.

00:22:31: You see with different technology technological advances

00:22:38: Okay.

00:22:41: And then there's some things like this.

00:22:42: that is so awesome, you know?

00:22:44: That we are able to have access to incredible trainers such as yourself anywhere in the world.

00:22:51: it doesn't have to be living in Florida or any of the other hotspots.

00:22:57: So yeah!

00:23:00: It's really exciting.

00:23:00: and again I think its much more important.

00:23:06: How do you want to leave a sport better?

00:23:10: And I think my version of it is like really trying to help people any level, wherever they're at in their journey.

00:23:18: To help them find more joy and the riding journey into help them and their horses be better and happier together.

00:23:24: so awesome.

00:23:25: yeah i wanna ask for A little bit of listener advice from You if that's okay.

00:23:31: So The first one Is Like The Permission Of Acknowledging What People not only want for themselves, but also with their horses and together in partnership.

00:23:39: For the horses rather than just you know falling along with maybe what's expectations of What they think others think of themselves or that?

00:23:48: They are putting on themselves And so can you share some advice for our listeners unlistening to their intuition and trusting The things that they feel if they want an need.

00:24:02: Yeah, that's a huge one because I think as perfectionists for the most part horse riders We're looking for the perfect answer.

00:24:10: We're Looking For The Most Assurance and It's hard to accept this especially since i think A lot of riders have OCD like Myself.

00:24:20: It's

00:24:21: so fun to treat that leg.

00:24:23: Yeah,

00:24:24: it was girl thing specific yeah and it helps So much and they like tortures you at the same time?

00:24:30: I would say number one if You can go to therapy its helped me so Much just like manage that OCD.

00:24:38: but Yeah i Would Say Usually your gut feeling is The One you need To follow first If you And again this Is Like if Your a good person.

00:24:50: You know, if you're... If you have good help, if your on the right track or ideas to bounce around.

00:24:56: but I always say trust and intuition because eventually it's going get so loud that you are gonna have follow-up.

00:25:02: So thats what happened with me.

00:25:07: There is not alot of joy in this for now.

00:25:09: i'm struggling like a lot mentally and physically.

00:25:13: I was so beat up.

00:25:15: Um, i was really worried about the future in people's perceptions And In the back of my head ,I just don't see a way forward right now .

00:25:21: I Don't See A Future Right Now.

00:25:23: um...i dont have any horses!

00:25:26: Like whatever..and It Just Got To A Point Where My Intuition Just Got to A Point where it Was Completely The Truth.

00:25:34: So I Would Say DON'T Ignore IT AND DONT SHAME YOURSELF FOR IT.

00:25:38: Its SO EASY TO BE LIKE.

00:25:40: Well, then I'm just a wimp because i want to take a break or... don't attack yourself.

00:25:46: Don't shame yourselves for being human like that is the devil.

00:25:51: its lies.

00:25:54: it's getting you farther away from the finish line You wanna run your race well and every time you doubt yourself Or go into shame you're kind of pushing the finish line farther away instead of like, let me work through this.

00:26:10: Let me kind of accept myself and love myself through

00:26:13: this.".

00:26:14: And how do I get to the next step?

00:26:17: So i think that's a big one for me...and I know it's-for other writers especially who struggle with perfectionism.

00:26:23: You have a shame in your gut instinct..in your intuition because its real and its human!

00:26:29: It is not what you see online on these perfect people, but they're not perfect either.

00:26:36: So you really have to trust yourself and really make sure that YOU are the healthiest version of YOU.

00:26:43: Absolutely!

00:26:44: And now I know that you had said...that you realized you weren't necessarily chasing someone else's version of success.

00:26:50: You were-you had your own version and you realize what you had in mind for success maybe wasn't actually what you wanted.

00:26:58: so if somebody is struggling with it realizing that they were going down a path of the dream.

00:27:05: That maybe isn't what they want after all or not?

00:27:08: right now, where there we're going After A Path They Saw Other People Going Down And They Thought Well I Should You Know Notice My Word Of My Use The Words.

00:27:18: Should I Should Go That Way To?

00:27:22: What Is Your Advice On That Of You Know Kind Of Sitting With?

00:27:28: Is This What I Want?

00:27:31: Yeah, I think a big thing is when you get that anxiety.

00:27:38: It feels like it's urgent to make a decision and that is not accurate.

00:27:45: most of the time in give yourself some grace.

00:27:49: take a second while your making her decision.

00:27:52: if its not an extreme situation.

00:27:55: don't let be urgent.

00:27:57: Don't let your subconscious, your nervous system speed up the process because you're like... You have to figure this out right now.

00:28:06: Why are thinking what's going on?

00:28:09: That was just a big one for me.

00:28:10: don't let those decisions feel urgent and give yourself grace through that decision making process And it-you gonna freakout.

00:28:24: I'm gonna like, let me tell you.

00:28:26: You are going to freak out.

00:28:27: You're going to feel like you made the wrong decision.

00:28:29: it's not always going to be good.

00:28:31: i think a lot of life is learning to sit and being uncomfortable Like Life Is Hard And The More Your Able To Sit And Process In That Uncomfortability The More You'll Be Able.

00:28:46: Take A Step Back Look At The Bigger Picture and take the right steps for yourself.

00:28:50: I was watching there, like UFC my fiancee and I love you FC.

00:28:54: And um There's this fighter that is listening to his podcast yesterday and he just won this gigantic fight and He won the belt in it.

00:29:04: It Was because hes been so many fights where its has been So uncomfortable and painful.

00:29:10: The other guy was undefeated and he'd never been that uncomfortable before.

00:29:15: but who is the underdog, he was able to just stay uncomfortable for so long and not panic.

00:29:22: And sit in

00:29:22: it.".

00:29:23: He ended up in the long run winnings.

00:29:26: that's a lot of words basically say like be patient don't rush give yourself grace learning to be comfortable or being patient when its uncomfortable one of biggest life skills you can have regardless what your do.

00:29:43: Well, I don't know if any of the listeners resonated with that but i feel like you were literally speaking to me so

00:29:48: thank-you.

00:29:52: It's it's So hard But its more.

00:29:57: how many tools can i keep learning To help me get through life?

00:30:01: That is what i do With riders.

00:30:03: my job Is to give You tools A tool out of your toolkit to fix whatever you're horse throws at.

00:30:09: You.

00:30:10: but the same with life.

00:30:11: It's like.

00:30:11: how many tools can you get?

00:30:12: help yourself mentally emotionally physically?

00:30:15: Get through life, so it's just daily daily learning.

00:30:18: absolutely.

00:30:20: I have a question about The idea being a role model.

00:30:24: As a professional rider, there's a certain role model status that you can have with it.

00:30:29: So if somebody could be seen as a role model because oh I want to ride like them or i wanna get their level of success and you might not know anything about them as an actual human being but you kind of have the idea who they are in athlete.

00:30:45: so theres kinda that level of being a rolemodel.

00:30:47: And then look at your level where we see the kind of human that you are as well.

00:30:57: human as a rider, where you show up and speak out about the industry.

00:31:03: You've kind of poked

00:31:05: fun at it

00:31:06: in the industry.

00:31:07: that does actually acknowledge some real issues going on.

00:31:11: Like I said earlier ,you have been role model for giving other questions permission .

00:31:18: You advocate mental health and also health in general.

00:31:22: all this is so important not only you know, the world as a whole.

00:31:29: And so I'd love to know if your role—as a role model has shifted at all.

00:31:36: does it feel like there's more pressure on yourself or how you show up?

00:31:42: um... As human not just as an equestrian?

00:31:45: That's

00:31:47: such a good question!

00:31:49: Again going back to what are you not apologizing for anymore.

00:31:54: I'd say there's less pressure than ever while i'm revealing more of myself, then ever because.

00:32:02: I've just gotten to a place where other people's thoughts aren't allowed to be louder than my own who are living my life weren't walking in my footsteps.

00:32:15: so yeah again.

00:32:16: by the way that line right.

00:32:18: Yeah,

00:32:20: so I would actually say i have less pressure than ever.

00:32:25: If did make you come back?

00:32:40: example, because I know how i did it before and putting so much pressure on yourself.

00:32:46: It does help.

00:32:46: in a way like there's a reason we put pressure on ourselves that helps us perform better and work harder.

00:32:51: um but I would say like I'm in the season of like mentally preparing if I do ever come back to make sure that...I treat it more of full or just treated healthier you know?

00:33:06: Like If I come Marriage is no joke.

00:33:10: You know, there's like a fifty percent divorce rate.

00:33:13: um so it's like marriage isn't very serious thing that I take very seriously.

00:33:18: So its not going to be.

00:33:19: oh yeah my little marriage and i ride horses And thats the most important thing in life.

00:33:23: My marriage will be THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN MY LIFE Besides my relationship with God.

00:33:28: AND THEN IT'S GONNA BE HORSES AND THAN IT'S YOU KNOW.

00:33:30: SO I think having my priorities knowing what I want and imma big preparation girl If I, if i do come back right now.

00:33:40: I'm mentally preparing for how I want to handle it?

00:33:42: How I wanna be.

00:33:43: um and again...I am so excited for the community that I have behind me!

00:33:49: And say I don't make a comeback like.. I also want to golf.

00:33:54: alot my fiance is a scratch golfer.

00:33:56: he's amazing like compete even more and maybe I want to golf, my fiance is a real estate agent.

00:34:07: If I switch to that, I know that i will give it my all and we'll still have.

00:34:11: take these principles.

00:34:12: You can put unhealthy pressure on myself trying be a new golfer or helping him in his real estate business.

00:34:21: so its is the same right now.

00:34:24: most experience with athletics and horses.

00:34:28: but say I switched those things um...I want approach healthily too.

00:34:32: this year has really given me that time and space to approach the next season of my life in a healthier way.

00:34:40: Hmm.

00:34:41: That's so smart too, because like you said it's if you resource yourself with the tools in one area of your life then you can bring them into other areas So that you're not saying oh here is the changes I'm going to make and this area And i repeat all these things as well.

00:35:02: Instead its no okay im setting myself up for success As I move forward and whatever it is that I moved forward in, In all of the areas.

00:35:13: So It's just so smart Before you know You dive into those things.

00:35:21: Yeah And i think i always want to make sure i don't come off either as like The finished product or Like im so healthy now Im great and happy!

00:35:27: Like...I struggle SO

00:35:28: much!!

00:35:29: I struggle ALL THE

00:35:29: TIME!!!

00:35:31: But To me its like..The struggle Is what has led Me TO have this advice.

00:35:36: It's almost, well for me like it is a blessing to go through struggles because For-for me.

00:35:42: Like that makes me pray a lot.

00:35:43: Because um...like I have to go to God with all my struggles But also just without pain.

00:35:51: You don't have the answers To the pain you know?

00:35:54: Until your go thru it and then you have the answer after.

00:35:58: So sometimes seeing suffering Through lens of what an opportunity And how much like, why is it you're going to be after?

00:36:08: So just I never want to come off.

00:36:10: Like I'm just perfect and doing great.

00:36:12: Like, I struggle every day in life.

00:36:14: You know, I have pretty severe OCD so It's something that I have to work on.

00:36:19: um...and i don't have courses to focus the OCD on..you know,so Um....it's-I am not here saying do all this because im perfect!

00:36:28: Im here saying This Is What I've Learned Because I've Struggled So Much & I Am Struggling So Much And Im In This With Everyone.

00:36:36: Well, I have to say there are those top female athletes that we look at as not only incredible athletes but also as incredible role models.

00:36:47: There's the Gabby's, there is the Alyssa and now there's the Anna.

00:36:51: so it just... Yeah i have no words!

00:36:55: I'm so grateful you're in space speaking publicly about this because it's so needed, and I'm just like myself.

00:37:09: And i'm sure many listeners were all also grateful for you.

00:37:13: Oh thank-you!

00:37:13: Thank You For giving us platforms to do this with having great questions and taking care of us So much.

00:37:21: It is such an honor to be on.

00:37:23: Honestly

00:37:24: Do you wish that we could have a better partnership With your horse but aren't sure where to start?

00:37:28: Do you want to advance your riding or horsemanship, but don't have access?

00:37:32: do the ideal resources in your area?

00:37:35: Does the idea of learning about horse training whenever and wherever And at a price that won't break your horse bank sound appealing to you?

00:37:43: check out wehorse.com To access over one hundred and seventy five online courses with top trainers from around the world.

00:37:51: We have courses on everything dressage, to groundwork.

00:37:55: To show jumping...to body work.

00:37:58: and as a member you get access to everything in our WeHorse library to watch whenever you want oh!

00:38:04: And we also have an app which means you can download a course or video to watch with out Wi-Fi Which is perfect for those days at the bar when you want a quick dose of training inspiration before your ride.

00:38:15: So what are you waiting for?

00:38:17: Go to wehorse.com and check out our free seven-day trial, access Our We Horse Library And see if it's a good fit For You!

00:38:41: I started with a few more friends the past week, and it has brought such joy into my life.

00:38:49: And truly like...I'm so excited to start teaching again!

00:38:53: And i'm excited too really honestly be a better golfer.

00:38:59: It's just an amazing path for my competitiveness in learning something new you know, with real estate and getting leads in marketing.

00:39:13: And so those are the biggest ones.

00:39:16: yeah awesome

00:39:17: I have to say my husband is a golfer as well.

00:39:19: um i'm a walker So sometimes we'll do like a little couples night and heal golf.

00:39:25: I have our four rapid-fire questions, so we asked them like... Four years ago now.

00:39:44: They could be completely different answers and i'm sure that they will be.

00:39:47: it's just the first thing that comes to your mind.

00:39:49: The first one is do you have a motto or favorite saying?

00:39:52: It might be the same as four years ago but my trainer Gunter when I first started training with him said never train emotionally And that just stuck with me and its through life too.

00:40:02: But um You can—it's okay to be emotional.

00:40:04: Don't shame yourself for being emotional, but don't react to your horse emotionally.

00:40:09: Like you have to be so steady um...to be fair to them.

00:40:13: That actually might've been your response But it's like-

00:40:19: It's still my favorite.

00:40:22: The second one who has the most influential person in your equestrian journey?

00:40:26: Probably same!

00:40:27: My trainer Grinder Seidel, he is my... He's such a rock.

00:40:32: He's taught me so much but more than anything he's one of the best American Olympians of all time and equestrian And he taught me how to be my own person My own rider.

00:40:44: He gave Me The tool So that I could go Be independent instead Of like holding on To That control that A lot of trainers tend to do?

00:40:55: So much of who I am in the sport today and be a trainer.

00:40:58: And that's, Who?

00:40:58: Want to Be In The Sport

00:40:59: To Other Riders.

00:41:02: And he is German.

00:41:03: so...and i'm like sensitive and emotional!

00:41:05: And I get along with the pragmatic Germans and my fiancee also has german roots..so it just tracks!

00:41:15: The next one please complete this sentence.

00:41:18: for me horses are

00:41:26: one of the reasons I smile every day.

00:41:28: Like, I know it's so basic but you just think about them and then you smile?

00:41:33: And what a blessing to have something that can make your happy in this hard world!

00:41:37: Absolutely Last thing where people find out how they connect with you Find out more online lessons

00:41:47: Yes.

00:41:47: So the new online lessons will be at the end of July, but on Instagram I'm Anna underscore Bafini Facebook and a bifini Tiktok and a Bifini.

00:41:58: DM me on any of those platforms and if you need clinics at gmail.com.

00:42:04: um i'll answer all those emails there.

00:42:07: so You can find me in a lot of places and just send over a dm.

00:42:16: Awesome, so we're going to put that in the show notes.

00:42:17: If you are listening just scroll down and you can find the links.

00:42:21: Anna thank-you so much for being here with us today.

00:42:25: As always it's been an absolute pleasure.

00:42:28: I had a blast speaking with you four years ago even more of a blast talking with you today.

00:42:33: Thank-you So much!

00:42:36: And thanks for all your work you do on The Question World.

00:42:38: It is really awesome.

00:42:43: Thank you for listening to this episode of the Equestrian Connection podcast by WeHorse.

00:42:48: If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean the world to us if could leave a rating and review as well share on social media!

00:42:56: You can find us on Instagram at wehorse underscore USA And check out our free seven day trial on wehorse dot com where access over one hundred seventy five courses with top trainers from around Until next time, be kind to yourself your horses and others.