EquiTeam member Nikki Hackett Reed shares her experiences of the EquiTeam sequoias.
The tallest tree in the world has roots that only go 6-12 feet deep. An engineering impossibility and yet, possible! Why? Because the Sequoias don’t survive alone. Their root systems spread far and wide, interweaving with every other sequoia around them. They share nutrients, water, and when storms come in, they support each other.
And that got me thinking about my first EquiTeam Confidence Camp experience in September this year. You see, not only had I previously cancelled a camp (twice in fact!), but on my third attempt, I arrived, unpacked, only to duly repack, so that I could quietly leave the following morning.
But hold on – I’ve jumped ahead of myself. This wasn’t something that just happened. Actually, the overwhelming anxiety I was experiencing had started long before we even arrived. For two and half hours, while travelling, I’d casually allowed my thoughts to blissfully spiral without even realising. The journey had been uneventful and I’d navigated to Lindores with ease; so why? Why was I ready to pack up and leave before I’d even given myself, and Jenni, a chance. Why; because all sense of rational thinking had jumped down Alice’s rabbit hole and disappeared.
So on the first morning of camp, repacked suitcase in tow, we were mentally checked out of Lindores and getting ready to leave, when a wise Sequoia quietly and without judgement or criticism approached me and suggested I stay… ‘After all, time spent with like-minded people, in beautiful accommodation, delicious food and copious amounts of beverages – why would you want to leave? The rest, well, that we can work on’. And so, I decided to stay under the false illusion that I would not be riding, just having a holiday.
Much like the forest of Sequoias, the EquiTeam root system over the next three days spread without me even noticing. As word got out of my failed ‘great escape’ I became entwined with every sequoia in the group and before I knew it, Jenni and I were jumping cross poles, uprights and even cross country. Each one providing support in their own unique way. Sometimes to the tune of Tony Basil – ‘Oh Nikki you’re so fine’. Sometimes sharing their own experiences. Always celebrating success. Always helping ‘me’ to weather the storm.
And then, more recently, we were tragically reminded that life is not guaranteed – it’s an honour and something to be cherished; to live for, and to celebrate in the moment.
It’s about putting everything into perspective. We all have a choice to either moan about the puddles, or to put on your wellies and splash through them.
The sense of achievement having attended my first EquiTeam Confidence Camp has far exceeded any of my expectations and still does when I look at all the amazing photos of Jenni and I. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would come home having been recognised for my grit and determination. For overcoming my fears by taking small steps to accomplish massive success.
I’m so very grateful to all the Sequoias, as without their support and strong sense of community, I would have had a completely different experience. I would have moaned about the puddles and gone home, but instead, I put on my wellies and splashed through the puddles.
Nikki x
