Up Close and Personal: Ben Netterfield—Dare to Coach
- Loz
- Nov 25, 2025
- 10 min read
Sit Down with a Cuppa and Get to Know Ben
It's time to sit down and get to know one of our regular coaches that coaches regularly in the Canberra region and a big favourite here at Lagoballo.
Ben Netterfield is the visionary behind Dare To Coach, a platform dedicated to empowering equestrian coaches and riders to reach their full potential. With a passion for education and a deep understanding of the challenges faced in the horse industry, Ben created Dare To Coach to provide practical tools, mentorship, and a supportive community. His mission is simple yet powerful: to help riders and coaches build confidence, grow their businesses, and deliver exceptional training experiences that make a lasting impact.
Q1: Ben, what inspired you to start Dare to Coach, and how did your background shape its mission?
“It all started with pain management—how to deal with pain and how to overcome setbacks caused by it. Back in 1991, I had a serious riding accident that left me working through pain for about 15–17 years. Then I had another accident that looked like it might end my riding career altogether. It seemed like I’d need a major hip replacement surgery, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go down that path, especially since the success of the operation wasn’t guaranteed. I kept asking myself: 'What would I really gain from this surgery?'
That question led me to search for a new outlook. For the first time, I allowed myself to explore something beyond what people typically call “resilience”—which I had always thought of as just standing back up and hoping for the best. This journey took me to doctors, videos, and eventually into life coaching, leadership coaching, and mindset coaching. It was a gradual process, but a big one—coming to terms with how I saw myself and how I approached challenges, and even how I operated in the world after being a rider and competitive athlete.
When you’ve been competing, your identity is deeply tied to what you do. It’s 24/7—you live and breathe it. So even though from the outside it might not look like a big change, on the inside it was huge: shifting from riding and equestrian coaching to incorporating mindset coaching. My sister used to say, “Don’t just be the warrior—be the gentle warrior.” That idea stuck with me. It’s about being more understanding, seeing the bigger picture, and realising that resilience isn’t just about standing back up and taking whatever life throws at you. There are other ways to adjust, to lighten the load you’re carrying, and to move forward with intention.”
Q2: What was the biggest challenge you faced when transitioning from rider to mindset coach?
"What I was really learning to do was move away from arbitrary standards and rigid criteria. As a performance coach and rider, you’re judged solely on what you’ve achieved—what you’ve done. For example, if the horse was required to jump 1.10m, 1.20m, or 1.50m, success was defined by whether that goal was met. That was the measure.
Mindset coaching is very different. Instead of asking, 'Did you hit the target?', the question becomes: 'Was that the best you could do today?' 'Was that the best you could do this week?' It’s a shift toward understanding the rider’s capacity, the horse’s capacity, their values, identity, strengths, and weaknesses—the whole picture.
Performance coaching was all about “get the job done or it’s not done.” In competition, that was the culture: you either did it or you didn’t, and you were judged against the criteria. There was no room for acknowledging that, for this rider, this might be their best effort yet—a stepping stone toward where they want to go.
For me, the big lesson was learning to be more compassionate—not in a way that lowers expectations, but in a way that recognises where someone is right now. It’s about encouraging people to lean into what they’re capable of, without forcing them to meet an arbitrary standard."
Q3: Why do you believe mindset is the most overlooked factor in equestrian success?
"When it comes to riding, most people spend about 45 to 75 minutes in the saddle, three to five days a week. That’s a small fraction of our time compared to how much we carry our own thoughts and emotions around every day. We replay that one ride, that one mistake, for 24, 48, even 72 hours before we get another chance—while the horse simply goes back to the paddock thinking, “Great, I’ve got grass.”
This highlights important questions:
How do we carry mistakes?
Are we looking at possible outcomes or getting stuck in a narrow focus?
Are we seeing the bigger picture?
Life is full of contradictions. Sometimes we need to narrow down and concentrate deeply. Other times, we need to stay aware of everything that makes up our full life. Horses are incredible barometers of this balance.
You can ride well technically, but if you’ve had a stressful day at work and carry that tension into the saddle, your horse will feel it. Their language is through your body. If you’re tired, impatient, or running on little sleep because of a big project, your horse will pick up on that energy. Sensitive horses amplify this; more laid-back horses might frustrate you in the opposite way when you’re craving an easy ride.
The truth is, life is the sum of everything—and horses often reflect that. As a coach, I remind riders: Your horse isn’t doing anything wrong right now; it’s reflecting what you’re bottling inside. Sometimes, just like in human relationships, having a conversation or releasing tension changes everything. Once you let go, the horse recognizes the rider they know and trust—the one they’ve been with for weeks—and suddenly, the ride feels harmonious again."
Q4: What patterns of negative self-talk do you see most often in riders, and how do you help them break these cycles?
"One of the biggest challenges riders face is self-talk—especially being too harsh on ourselves or comparing ourselves to others. I remember a powerful example from before I became a mindset coach.
I had a client in her late 60s, a lovely rider who had retired and decided to buy the best horse she could manage at that stage. She chose a young Warmblood—a horse far more athletic and sensitive than what she was used to. It was light, powerful, and full of energy.
Later, she attended a masterclass at Equitana featuring a German dressage rider—one of the best in the world—who stood about 6’4” and rode with effortless grace. Watching him, she thought: “It’s not fair. He hardly looks like he’s moving, yet the horse is performing beautifully. What am I doing wrong?”
But here’s the reality:
He rides six or seven horses every day.
She rides one horse every other day.
His fitness, timing, and experience are on a completely different level.
Comparing herself to him was like taking a sledgehammer to her confidence. Instead, the focus should have been: “Where am I at? Where is my horse at? What’s the next realistic step?”
Goals are important—they give us direction. But they can also feel harsh because most goals are months or years away. If we measure every day against that distant goal, we feel like we’re failing. Instead, ask:
What’s my next small step?
What am I trying to establish today?
What am I doing well?
Our brains are wired to find the negative. So flip the script:
What can I do now that I couldn’t do before?
What progress have I and my horse made in the last week or month?
Celebrate those wins. They matter."
Q5: How do you approach coaching riders who struggle with fear or trauma after a riding accident?
"Fear after a riding accident is common, and how we process it often depends on the nature of the accident. One of the hardest situations is when the accident comes completely out of the blue. In those cases, riders often lose confidence because the brain keeps asking: “What could I have done differently?”
We need to remember that horses are flight animals—and accidents can happen even at a walk. Some of the worst injuries I’ve seen occurred when a horse simply tripped and fell. There was no speed, no warning, just bad luck. Thankfully, most riders now wear helmets, which is essential safety gear. But the truth is, accidents are unpredictable. That’s what makes them accidents.
When an accident feels uncontrollable, the brain struggles to make sense of it. It’s different from falling during cross-country or show jumping, where you’ve accepted a certain level of risk. In those cases, you can rationalise the event. But when something random happens, the brain fights to find what was in your control—and what wasn’t.
So how do we rebuild confidence?
Understand risk and reward. Learn what’s within your control and what isn’t.
Practice breathing. If you’re not breathing, you can’t communicate with your horse, make decisions, or influence the situation.
Rehearse emergency strategies. Just like pilots review emergency procedures before takeoff, riders should mentally rehearse what to do if a horse spooks or bolts.
Your horse needs reassurance too. If both of you go into freeze or flight mode, things escalate. Instead, develop strategies that make your horse feel: “The world is scary, but my rider is here with me.”
Other key points:
It’s okay to step back and not put yourself in the storm. Stand adjacent to it until you’re ready.
Emotions only last about 90 seconds—are you retriggering them or letting them pass?
Move your body. Movement helps decision-making and reduces panic.
Start with the smallest possible step. If all you can do today is stand near your horse and mentally rehearse, that’s progress.
Rebuilding confidence after trauma is about patience, breathing, and tiny steps forward. Over time, those steps add up."
Q6: What makes your coaching approach different from traditional riding instruction?
"Traditionally, coaching has focused heavily on technical skills—getting the rider and horse to perform correctly. But I’ve become much more aware of how a rider’s thought patterns influence their interactions with the horse. It’s not just about technique; it’s about mindset.
For example, how a rider rewards their horse, or how they manage their own mental “storm” when things get tough, makes a huge difference. Riding isn’t easy, and sometimes riders struggle to recognise when they’ve done a good job. Even after achieving something positive, they stay stuck in self-criticism or doubt.
One of the biggest changes in my approach is helping riders truly accept and celebrate their progress. Before, I might have said, “Well done,” but it didn’t always land. Now, I focus on making praise meaningful so riders feel that sense of accomplishment and build confidence from it.
I can be incredibly proud of someone for taking even a small step forward—but the most important thing is that they recognise it too. Success isn’t just about big wins; it’s about acknowledging the small victories that lead to growth. Helping riders see and believe in those achievements is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do."
Q7: Can you share a breakthrough moment from a client that really affirmed your coaching philosophy?
"One of the most memorable breakthrough moments for me was helping a rider who had a mental block about competing. Interestingly, her professional life was all about handling pressure—being in the public eye, performing under scrutiny, and regrouping under stress. Yet, she hadn’t realised those same skills could transfer to riding.
We often compartmentalise our strengths, thinking they only apply in one area. But the ability to prepare, rehearse, and stay composed under pressure is just as valuable in the saddle as it is on stage. I helped her see that the calm, confident presence others admired in her work could also shine through when riding.
Once she embraced that mindset, everything changed. She rediscovered the joy she had as a 14-year-old dreaming of competing—a dream she hadn’t been able to pursue back then but now had the chance to fulfill. It was a powerful reminder that sometimes the skills we need are already within us; we just have to believe in them and apply them in new ways."
Q8: What's one misconception riders have about confidence that you wish you could change?
"From the outside, confidence often looks like a static quality—something a person you admire always has. But in reality, confidence fluctuates. Watch a tennis match between two great players: their confidence rises and falls throughout the game, just like determination. Confidence is never static; it’s a moving target.
The key is to lean on your foundational skills. When you understand what those skills are and why you’re using them, confidence can grow—even in challenging situations. You’ll know some tasks will be harder than others, and that’s okay. Preparation and awareness make the difference.
Pressure is another factor. You can’t see it or touch it, but you feel it—and how much you carry is a choice. If you’ve “bought the ticket” and chosen to be there, lean into the moment. Embrace it instead of running away.
Confidence is a funny thing—we often think of it as a standalone skill, but really, it’s built on a foundation of other actions and habits. When we hold our ground and take consistent actions, confidence tends to return because we start seeing results.
Another important aspect is adaptability. Not every situation is black and white, and confidence includes being flexible when circumstances change. Understanding when to stick to your plan and when to adjust is key.
In short, confidence isn’t just about feeling brave—it’s about building skills, taking action, and staying adaptable in the face of uncertainty."
Q9: Where do you see Dare to Coach heading in the next five years- any new programs or collaborations planned?
"Over the next five years, I see Dare to Coach expanding significantly into the online space. I’ve already started developing online programs, and my goal is to have several courses and digital products available within the next 6 to 18 months. These will include mindset-focused programs and coaching resources designed to help riders build confidence and resilience.
Moving online will allow me to reach more people without the need for constant travel, while still fostering a strong sense of community. Ultimately, Dare to Coach is about helping riders achieve their goals, and creating accessible, flexible learning options is a big part of that vision.
It’s an exciting time, and I believe these new offerings will make it easier for riders to keep moving forward—even when they hit a setback. Progress doesn’t have to stop after a hiccup; there’s always a way to regroup and grow."
Final Thoughts
Thank you, Ben, for sharing such valuable insights into the world of mindset coaching and equestrian performance. Your journey—from overcoming personal setbacks to helping riders build confidence and resilience—highlights the power of adaptability and self-awareness. It’s inspiring to see how Dare to Coach is shaping a new approach to riding, one that goes beyond technical skills and focuses on the whole rider.
We’re excited to watch Dare to Coach grow, especially with the upcoming online programs and digital resources that will make your expertise accessible to even more riders. For anyone looking to strengthen their mindset, embrace confidence, and rediscover joy in the saddle, Dare to Coach is paving the way.
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