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Monday, August 07 2017 / Published in General

Retiring From Riding: What’s Next and How To Succeed  

Margie Sugarman
Photo by Lauri Foster

By Margie Sugarman

Margie Sugarman is a leading board-certified psychotherapist and sports consultant based in New York. Margie’s desire is to enhance performance through the connection between the mind and body, and her current client list includes Olympic, professional and amateur athletes across the country. Her experience employing various therapeutic modalities has helped equestrians win classics, junior medals and grand prix. Do you have a question you want Margie to answer? Send questions to editor@sidelinesnews.com.

Many athletes face depression after their career is over. What’s your best advice to a newly retired athlete on how to adjust to a new lifestyle? What are some of the common difficulties they will face in their adjustment period?

For individuals who have dedicated their lives to riding and being involved with horses, what happens when their time comes to an end? If you’re not a rider, then who are you?

Equestrians often train extensively for years — in many cases consuming the majority of their young lives with their parents (or themselves) making huge financial sacrifices in order to pursue their dreams. They often live on the road for a large part of the year and might find themselves sacrificing personal relationships in the process.

For many riders, leaving the competitive arena is a concept they don’t wish to think about in any great detail. However, whether they have or haven’t reached their goal in the sport, all athletes’ careers will eventually come to a close or a change in venue.

What happens to these athletes once they leave the days filled with rigorous training, extensive time spent traveling and the buzz and adrenaline flowing through their bodies from competing? Individuals experience this time with various feelings. Some are very susceptible to depression. It’s the let-down and the change from what they’ve known for so long along with the fear of the unknown and the question of, “What’s next? What will I do without my friends?” Others will be filled with excitement as they go on to new ventures in life without the burden and pressure of competing.

Many athletes struggle with adapting to a “regular lifestyle” where they’re no longer in the limelight. Moreover, in their eyes, they’re no longer “special.” Moving on from an intense athletic career can induce dramatic changes in one’s personal and social life. In turn, this can potentially impact individuals on a cognitive, emotional and behavioral level. Some “retired” athletes express feelings of emptiness and true depression. Consequently, one of the most important parts of this transition is to reconstruct and adjust oneself on the basis of building a new lifestyle. There are several techniques to help create a new foundation:

  1. Identify transferable skills: Perhaps the “retired athlete” will go on to study and earn a degree. The skills they’ve developed through their riding career — perseverance in attaining something desired, hard work, adaptability and performing under stress — are all important attributes in school and in life.
  2. Develop and pursue other activities: So much of the athlete’s life has been centered on riding. The time to try new things, discover other activities, hobbies or interests is now. To use the energy that was directed towards riding and pave some new paths can be fun and exciting.
  3. Develop new relationships: As one expands their area of interests, new people are met. Just like with riding, new relationships can and will develop.
  4. Consult with a professional to help explore further avenues and adaptation techniques: Athletes, by nature, are mentally tough individuals. This attitude can sometimes interfere with them approaching someone for help. Consequently, it’s very important for close family, friends, other athletes and coaches to understand that depression cannot always be seen and the athlete may never admit to it.

Changes happen in all parts of life and most of us are able to cope well if we have plans, strategies and adequate support to ease the transition from one part of life to another. Athletes are no different and will need time, social and emotional support and sometimes professionals to help them on their way to continued success.

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Tagged under: margie sugerman, q&a, Sports Psychology

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“There is no quick fix when it comes to horses,” said Samantha Wolfram, a 22-year-old equestrian professional. “You can’t flip a switch and the horse comes out broke and is easy to ride.” For most equestrians, this statement is a testament to the grit and reality of the horse business—there are no easy roads to establishing your career. But for Samantha, using her risk-taking, talent and ambition while riding and living abroad is helping set her up for success. 

Growing up an only child in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Samantha received her first pony at the age of 2 thanks to her mother, who was a horse trainer. “My mom got me a pony like what you see at the fair. However, he was a bad pony—or what I like to call ‘character building,’” she said. Her early start riding was a gift unto itself and by 5, Samantha was jumping crossrails. She was committed to riding until the age of 8, when another sport became her focus. “I was at an age where I wanted to fit in, and being a crazy horse girl did not help with being popular,” Samantha shared.

Get to know Samantha in her recent feature "Finding Success in America and Overseas." And never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine. Link below!👇
https://sidelinesmagazine.com

Follow Samantha on Instagram samanthawolfram

📸Photos by Kirsten Hannah, kirstenhannahphotography.com

#sidelinesmagazine #sidelines2023 #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople #dressage #hunterjumper #eventing #magazine #horses
At 78 years young, Barry Olliff doesn’t intend t At 78 years young, Barry Olliff doesn’t intend to take it easy during his golden years. Inspired by his horse-loving wife, Cyndy, Barry is devoting his retirement to create “A Gathering Place” for anyone who needs one at their Stable View Equestrian facility in Aiken, South Carolina.

Barry and Cyndy have transformed their parcel of land, originally a quail-hunting lodge, into a facility that welcomes equestrians, corporate retreats, weddings, ecotourists and local community members. “This all came about through a fortuitous set of circumstances, with good partnerships, an open and welcoming community and, most of all, our willingness to go where the land led us,” Barry said.

Barry believes fate and good luck have played a big factor in Cyndy’s and his life. “We’ve been in the right place at the right time and fortunate enough to take the right fork in the road when there were choices,” he said. “As we’ve gotten older, we’ve felt it’s up to us to give back. We need to provide opportunities for people to use Stable View however they see fit.”

Keep reading at the link in our bio!!

📸Photo courtesy of Stable View

#sidelinesmagazine #sidelines2023 #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople #dressage #hunterjumper #eventing #magazine #horses
There’s no denying the intrinsic value of the Ke There’s no denying the intrinsic value of the Kentucky Horse Park, in Lexington, Kentucky, in the 
world of equestrian sports. For so many event riders, this venue is an iconic destination that they 
dream about competing at, and I strongly believe it’s the perfect venue to host the American 
Eventing Championships (AECs). While I’m slightly biased because it’s my home event, I really 
believe that this is the best location for the AECs to be held each year.
Read Liz’s full column in this months edition of Sidelines Magazine! And never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines  for just $14.95 A YEAR. That’s less then $2.00 a month! What a deal!  Link in bio to read her full article right now!

 📸Photo by USEA

#Sidelines #sidelines2023 #sidelinesmagazine #magazine #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople
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