Lainey Ashker

What’s been the biggest learning curve with your current horse?

Working with Lottie has been a huge shift for me. I’ve ridden a lot of thoroughbreds, so I was used to quick, reactive horses with smaller strides. She’s the opposite; big, powerful, and incredibly smart. It’s taught me to slow down, give her time to think, and be much more intentional with how I ride.

You ride both dressage and eventing, how do they influence each other?

They actually complement each other more than people think. Dressage has really sharpened my timing and helped me create better self-carriage, which carries straight into the jumping. And with eventing, you’re constantly adapting, so together, they’ve made me a much more complete rider.

You’ve had a lot of success with thoroughbreds. What makes them so special?

It’s the heart. They learn from such a young age to keep going and give everything they have. If you believe in them, they’ll give that right back. And I love that they make this sport more accessible, you don’t need the biggest budget to find a really special horse.

How do you handle nerves going into a big competition?

For me, it’s all about routine. I try to keep everything the same, whether I’m at home or at a five-star. I also focus a lot on the mental side. Things like positive self-talk and staying grounded. At the end of the day, it’s about trusting the work you’ve already put in.

What does your approach to horse care look like day to day?

It really depends on the horse and where we are. In Florida, for example, we’re washing more often and being careful about skin health. But overall, consistency is key. I don’t change much just because we’re at a show.

Okay, be honest; biggest grooming icks?

Easy. Dirty gray horses! There’s no excuse for that. Bad braids are a close second. And if the hoof polish isn’t perfect… I notice immediately.

What advice would you give to riders who want to reach the top level?

Go learn from people who are already doing it well. I worked for a lot of top professionals early on, and I took something from every single program. Winning is something you learn over time, it doesn’t just happen. So be patient, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to put in the work.