Sliding Lodge
A new Rider Performance Program, built for the rider as much as the horse.
Matt Charles
Sliding Lodge
Matt's approach, awareness, kindness, progress, aligns strongly with what we stand for at Cowgirls Gathering.
He has trained alongside leading horsemen including Shawn Flarida, Joe Schmidt and Rob Lawson, combining horsemanship with mindset and performance work.
This is about helping you show up with clarity, confidence and control when it matters most.
Follow Sliding LodgeA program for the rider
Cowgirls, this is something a little different, and something we are really excited to bring to you.
The Rider Performance Program is designed to support you as the rider, not just what you do in the saddle, but how you think, how you respond, and how you show up when it really matters.
Offered by Matt Charles of Sliding Lodge, the program is built around his philosophy of awareness, kindness, progress, something that aligns closely with everything we stand for at Cowgirls Gathering.
The biggest influence on performance is you
We can spend countless hours working on our horses. But one of the biggest influences on performance is the rider, and that is where real progress happens.
- Focus
- Staying clear and present under pressure, when it counts.
- Decisions
- Making clear, calm choices in the moment rather than reacting.
- Communication
- Working with your horse in a way that is consistent and understood.
- Composure
- Managing nerves, energy and expectation across a whole ride.
For many of us, in-person coaching is not always easy to reach. Between distance, travel, time away and fuel costs, it can be hard to make work. That is what makes this different. The whole program runs online, so you can take part from anywhere and still work with high-level coaching in a practical, supportive format.
Two ways to take part
3-Week Starter
Build awareness and control.
- Three weekly online sessions
- 45 minutes per session
- Live via Google Meet
- Small groups, five cowgirls only
10-Week Program
Consistency, confidence and results.
- Ten weekly online sessions
- 45 minutes per session
- Live via Google Meet
- One-to-one personalised coaching
Three weeks, three steps
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Rider Awareness And EnergyUnderstanding how you turn up, and what your horse reads from you.
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Managing Pressure While RidingHolding focus and staying calm when the moment asks more of you.
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Rider LeadershipLeading the ride with clarity, so your horse can follow with trust.
Built to give back
At Cowgirls Gathering, we love supporting the people who support us. This program is one more way we keep building opportunities and experiences for this community, and it is our way of saying thank you to Sliding Lodge for everything they brought to the Cowgirls Gathering in 2025.
This program is for cowgirls who want more
Spots are limited
The 3-week program runs in small groups of five cowgirls, and the 10-week program is one-to-one with limited availability. Fill in the details below and the Sliding Lodge team will be in touch with you.