Recap BD Be Kind Month

British Dressage Be Kind Month concluded on the final day of Mental Health Awareness week, completing five weeks of member kindness pledges, mental health stories, thank you messages, educational advice and positivity. 

From 16 April to 18 May, we encouraged you - our members - to champion kindness, positivity and goodwill. Well, what an oustanding community we have! We're inspired by the stories we've recieved, the comments and likes and the support that's flooded in for some of the member tales we've shared. At BDHQ, we turned our office green on Mental Health Awareness Week's Wear It Green Day, to raise awareness and funds for the Mental Health Foundation; we were proud to support this nationwide iniative on our final week of the Be Kind campaign, check out our team on Facebook here. The dressage community, from BDHQ to the furthest corners of the regions, is a supportive and generous network of oustanding people - united by a love of horses. Let's carry this positivity, team spirit and warmth far beyond Be Kind month, and always celebrate our successes, big and small. 

To recap on the content, we've made the links available below to the individual news pieces shared throughout the campaign, collaborations with Riders Minds and Megan Lane, as well as some key social media posts that we added to our accounts. 

Advice and support 

FEAR OF FAILURE

PATIENCE PAYS

FIGHTING FEARS

OVERCOMING SETBACKS

HARD CONVERSATIONS WITH RIDERS MINDS

KINDNESS WITH RIDERS MINDS

MENTAL HEALTH WITH RIDERS MINDS

BURNOUT WITH MEGAN LANE

EQUESTRIANS AND BURNOUT WITH MEGAN LANE

BURNOUT IMPACTS WITH MEGAN LANE

Member stories 

MEET THE DICKENS FAMILY

RUBY'S PTSD JOURNEY

AMY'S BIPOLAR STORY

Social highlights 

Check out our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts for the full Be Kind Month story - here are some of the highlights shared throughout the month. 

MATT FROST ON KINDNESS

BECKY MOODY ON KINDNESS

ANNA WHEELDON ON SUPPORTIVE COACHES

Epilogue

To provide a fitting conclusion to our campaign, we were sent in a poem - written during Mental Health Awareness Week - to represent the connection between horses, dressage, mental health and support. Our talented author remains anonymous, but is a successful BD member and rider, with a bright future ahead... whether in the saddle or at the writing desk. Enjoy this creative piece, which captures the essence of Be Kind Month. 

"In the Saddle of the Mind" 

In fields where hooves and heartbeats run, 
Beneath the rising morning sun, 
We ride not just with reins in hand, 
But with the strength to sometimes stand. 

Never give up the trail is long, 
Some days you're weak, some days you're strong. 
The stirrups shake, the skies turn grey, 
But still, you mount and find your way. 

Set yourself goals, both big and small, 
Not every jump means not to fall. 
A quiet ride, a steady pace, 
Can be its own triumphant race. 

Little steps a gentle guide, 
The journey counts more than the ride. 
Each nudge, each breath, each whispered cue, 
Shows how much courage lives in you. 

It’s ok to laugh, dream or even cry, 
To ask the “how,” to question “why.” 
The barn and stables are your safe place, 
so let healing heartbeats start within. 

Honor your strength in all its forms, 
In silent thoughts or thunderstorms. 
You’re not alone this family we share, 
Its built-on hope, and love, and care 

You are more than every fall, 
You are courage through it all. 
Keep riding on, as this journey’s tough, but you're not done. 

The path you ride is never straight, it twists with time,  
Each challenge met, each moment passed, 
Is proof your strength was built to last. 

Look 'round the arena you're not alone, 
There's support in places yet unknown. 
A quiet nod, a helping hand, 
Another rider who understands. 

Remember success is failure turned inside out. 

So, when the world feels far too wide, 
When doubts begin to match your stride, 
Just breathe, reset, and hold on tight 
The darkest trails still lead to light.