Reflections on Leadership Lessons from the Saddle
By Vicki Mayo, CEO & Founder, TouchPoint Solution
Welcome to Bridle & Boardroom, a monthly reflection where the lessons learned in the arena mirror the challenges of leadership. I’m an adult amateur dressage rider and the CEO and Founder of TouchPoint Solution, a company that creates wearable devices clinically proven to reduce stress and anxiety in seconds. Through horses and leadership alike, I’ve learned that balance, trust, and connection are at the heart of true success – in the saddle, in the boardroom, and everywhere in between.
During a recent lesson with my trainer, Kim Yacobucci, I had one of those lightbulb moments that stay with you far beyond the arena.
We were working through a series of movements, and I kept blowing through the corners. There was no preparation, no bend – just a rush to the next movement. When I did try to correct it, I found myself leaning forward, pushing my horse onto the forehand, or creating impulsion that quickly turned into running instead of collected power. It was chaotic, disorganized, and frustrating for both of us.
After several failed attempts, I halted and took a breath. I asked myself a simple but critical question: What is the goal?
I realized I wasn’t riding like the organized, elegant, collected rider I aspire to be. I was letting frustration creep in. My energy was scattered, and my horse was simply responding to what I was putting out. Horses are mirrors, and Pio was reflecting exactly what I was showing him.
So, I reset. I sat up tall. I rode into the corners with clarity, patience, and preparation. I thought about collection and organization. I took responsibility for setting the tone.
And, almost instantly, Pio changed. He became balanced, collected, and connected. He wasn’t fighting me; he was following the energy I was offering.
The shift wasn’t just about technique – it was about mindset. I stopped rushing the movements and started riding the intention. I stopped being chaotic and, as a result, so did he.
This lesson carries directly into business leadership.
As a CEO, I’ve seen it firsthand: you set the tone for your team. If you are disorganized, frantic, and reactionary, your team will mirror that. Stress ripples outward. Lack of clarity breeds confusion. If you approach challenges with panic, your team will, too.
On the other hand, when you lead with calm, clarity, and preparation, it gives your team permission to operate the same way. Calm leadership fosters trust, confidence, and better performance.
Leadership isn’t just about issuing orders – it’s about managing the energy of the organization. Just like in the saddle, people follow not just what you say, but how you are.
When I remembered to set the tone in the arena, my horse naturally stepped into a better frame and performance. In the boardroom, it’s no different. If you lead with intention, confidence, and composure, your team – your “horse,” if you will – will find it much easier to stay balanced, collected, and ready to perform.
Because, whether you’re turning a corner at X or leading a company through a tight turn in a competitive market, the same rule applies: The energy you bring is the energy you create.
About the Author
Vicki Mayo is the CEO and Founder of TouchPoint Solution, a serial entrepreneur, author, and adult amateur dressage rider based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her professional journey has spanned founding and leading multiple companies, while her personal journey has brought her back to the saddle after a two-decade hiatus. Today, she blends lessons learned in the arena with leadership insights from the boardroom, sharing her belief that trust, resilience, and connection are at the heart of true success – in business, in riding, and in life.
