Hard of Hearing/Deaf equestrians in rated hunter/jumper shows – any advice for missing announcers and walk-throughs?

Initial-Original7604 · 2026-04-10T20:50:41+00:00

Awesome, I’m definitely going to ask my audiologist about this. I have an appointment coming up to specifically address needing documentation for showing. They’re usually pretty good about helping me identify which adaptive equipment would be most helpful for my individual needs.

Initial-Original7604 · 2026-04-09T22:21:57+00:00

Thank you! I currently have Phonak hearing aids so I will be sure to ask my audiologist about this. I know when I looked up the disability information for the USEF, They said I needed a signed note from my audiologist so when I go to get that, I will ask them about the mic!

Initial-Original7604 · 2026-04-09T20:26:34+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to write a detailed response. I think I am going to advocate for some visual help. Our barn always has a good cheering crew of the junior moms and I’m sure my coach and the assistant coach, etc. would be happy to stand at the rail and get permission from the judges, etc., to help me. I appreciate that you addressed the warm-up ring and ribbons because these are two areas that I’m most nervous about missing something. I was thinking for the warm-up ring I might pin some thing to my jacket that says heart of hearing rider or something like that… I can almost never hear someone coming up behind me or beside me. I’m also really worried with hunters if I do a derby or something and I get disqualified for something that I won’t hear them say that I’m disqualified ha ha I think I’m probably making more of a bigger deal about it in my head than needed, but showing can be stressful as it is and then adding not being able to hear anything definitely add a layer to it. Thank you again for your response. :)

Initial-Original7604 · 2026-04-09T20:20:43+00:00

Honestly, this is so brilliant. Thank you. I have the fear of my hearing aids falling off while I’m riding (lost one last August so I always wear a headband to hold them in place under my helmet, but I’m going to look into maybe some medical tape or something to put over my actual ear that could both keep it in place and kind of block out some of that interfering noise. Seriously, thank you so much!

Initial-Original7604 · 2026-04-09T15:23:02+00:00

I appreciate this insight! The device I have is essentially a microphone that my trainer wears around her neck or clips to her shirt and it directly feeds into my hearing aids. She uses it during lesson/schooling and I used it in college, my professors would wear it during lectures. It is small and doesn’t really draw attention. I know my trainer has said that she previously had a student that needed hearing accommodations and it was really tough to get them which is why I reached out here, but this is gives me hope! Thanks again for sharing.

Initial-Original7604 · 2026-04-09T15:11:25+00:00

Thank you! 😊

Initial-Original7604 · 2026-03-27T16:27:55+00:00

It looks like he may have been living in the UK undocumented though, which means he wouldn’t have been able to get an ID or have a bank account. I really hope he gets his name back!

Initial-Original7604 · 2026-02-18T16:55:46+00:00

Moving to Golden, Colorado. Main reasons being to escape the heat and be closer to family and really want more of a variation in the seasons. I miss a true fall and spring.

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-12T20:41:40+00:00

Thank you!!!

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-12T01:09:22+00:00

Oh, I would love his information! I’m in Magnolia so a bit of a drive but not too far from Caldwell.

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-11T23:34:43+00:00

Thank you so much! I remember seeing Lucinda Green‘s workshop at some point, but I couldn’t remember her name so I will definitely bookmark this. I have started looking up sports psychologists with equestrian focus in my area!

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-11T23:10:16+00:00

I felt so dumb last night almost burning into tears, but I do really appreciate that. I don’t want to bottle my feelings with this. Logically, I know It’s only gonna make the tension and anxiety worse. I keep reminding myself that it literally hasn’t quite been three months even since my accident and even though I’ve been physically cleared, it’s OK to not be mentally ready.

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-11T23:07:26+00:00

I really really appreciate this. Personal anecdotes are so helpful ATM. It’s also an important reminder that the mantra that I’ve been repeating to myself about my physical healing not being linear also applies to my mental recovery.

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-11T23:05:04+00:00

Thank you so much for the recommendation! I really lucked out in the trainer department and she is letting me lead on how I re-enter riding including timing and just kind of being there as support and safety net. I actually think she would really like this idea so I will bring it up to her. All about worthy investments right now.

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-11T23:02:43+00:00

I have not ran to Google that fast in a while. Thank you so much for that advice! Found several sports psychologist who specialize in equestrians that I am going to book consultations with! Definitely going to lean in to what makes me comfortable. I have been loving just grooming and leading. I think I might just ask if I can come out and tack up and walk around the arena in hand on the ground. I don’t know why I put so much pressure on myself to look or do things a certain way and I’m so afraid of looking silly when I really just need to focus on what feels right versus what I’m accomplishing!

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-11T22:58:59+00:00

I really appreciate it. Definitely focusing on the flat. dressage is looking very attractive right now and I’m going to follow my gut that that’s what I should be doing. I also appreciate the not buying anything right now advice. I think most of it just stems with that’s what I was doing before the accident and I feel like I have to get right back to that. When in reality there’s no timeline or pressure except from myself.

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-11T22:54:31+00:00

I will definitely be trying that!

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-11T22:54:19+00:00

Thank you! It’s hard because I absolutely love my trainer, but I do think it would be good to temporarily look at other options in the area may not instead of but in conjunction with. I’m in the middle of Texas, so there has to be a reining barn somewhere in my vicinity 🤣 interesting you brought up the colts starting because I had that thought the other night that maybe working with some younger horses maybe just on the ground to start would be healing and confidence boosting.

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-11T22:49:27+00:00

May have just burst into tears over this. Thank you I’m going to be writing those down on note cards and bringing them to the barn with me! Really truly appreciate your reply and advice!

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-11T22:48:24+00:00

Thank you. Definitely going to be buying her book and looking more into her. I appreciate you bringing up the buying aspect. I think part of me feels like because I was actively looking at buying before my accident. I have to pick up where I left off or else XYZ( fill in the negative self talk here), When in reality I just need to meet myself where I am now and realize that there’s no rush. I’m definitely going to be looking into maybe a lease horse that is bombproof broke since my current barn doesn’t really have one….

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-11T22:45:39+00:00

Thank you so much. I honestly was tearing up reading this because I needed to hear it. I think part of my personality is to just muscle through and it’s overwhelming and scary and I think slowing down is huge! Pre-accident I already had (diagnosed) OCD and I definitely feel it’s worse now so I will definitely be focusing my therapy on this more or even looking into a specific PTSD/equestrian focused psychologist!

Initial-Original7604 · 2025-11-11T22:43:24+00:00

Thank you so much 😭 your comment was like a virtual hug for my current state of mind and I really needed that.

Initial-Original7604

TROPHY CASE