Foundations in Freedom: Dan James and Ben Atkinson on Liberty, Setbacks, and Breakthroughs
In this episode of the Life at Liberty podcast, Dan James sits down with renowned Liberty performer Ben Atkinson to discuss the art of Liberty training, the challenges of performing with horses, and the upcoming Liberty Festival. They explore Ben's journey into Liberty training, the importance of foundational skills, and the mindset required for success in equine performance. The conversation also touches on the unique aspects of the Liberty Festival, the significance of perseverance in training, and the community spirit that makes the event special. Ben shares personal anecdotes and insights, emphasizing the importance of belief in oneself and the process of learning with horses.
Highlights
- How an Aussie and a Brit found common ground (and comedy) in Liberty
- The lessons Dan and Ben learned the hard way, and how failure shaped their training
- Why “Not Yet” became Ben’s life motto and a reminder for every horseman
- A behind-the-scenes look at their Foundations in Freedom session coming to the 2025 Liberty Festival
- The balance of faith, humility, and humor in pursuing Liberty without limits
Key Moments
00:03:11 How Dan and Ben First Connected Through Liberty
00:08:47 Stories of Setbacks, Humor, and Lessons Learned
00:15:02 Ben’s Motto of “Not Yet” and What It Means for Trainers
00:22:36 The Role of Faith and Mindset in Horsemanship
00:30:49 What to Expect from Foundations in Freedom at the Liberty Festival
00:42:15 Dan and Ben on Keeping Liberty Training Fun
00:50:27 Final Thoughts on Partnership, Progress, and the Future of Liberty
Chapter Summaries
00:03:11 How Dan and Ben First Connected Through Liberty Dan James and Ben Atkinson share how their paths crossed in the Liberty world and why they respect each other’s approach to training, even across different continents.
00:08:47 Stories of Setbacks, Humor, and Lessons Learned They swap candid (and hilarious) stories of things going wrong in the arena and the value of finding humor when training doesn’t go as planned.
00:15:02 Ben’s Motto of “Not Yet” and What It Means for Trainers Ben explains how “Not Yet” became a guiding phrase for him, teaching patience and persistence when progress feels out of reach.
00:22:36 The Role of Faith and Mindset in Horsemanship Both trainers open up about how faith, humility, and mental resilience shape their journey as horsemen and performers.
00:30:49 What to Expect from Foundations in Freedom at the Liberty Festival Dan and Ben give listeners a preview of the new Foundations in Freedom session debuting at the 2025 Liberty Festival, where multiple trainers will demonstrate different approaches to starting horses at Liberty.
00:42:15 Dan and Ben on Keeping Liberty Training Fun They discuss how fun, creativity, and laughter are just as important as structure and discipline in Liberty training.
00:50:27 Final Thoughts on Partnership, Progress, and the Future of Liberty