Today I wanted to talk to you about Horse Show mindset.
I’m going to Wellington, Florida, to watch the five-star this weekend. It is the Olympic qualifications this weekend, so anyone that’s trying for the US dressage team is going to be competing, like Adrienne Lyle and Stefan Peters. I’m really excited to just watch and observe how they ride and warm up and how the show goes.
Spring is just around the corner, and I had my first horse show last weekend. I showed Harvey in the Prix St. George, and then I also had a client horse that did the Grand Prix. One of my goals this year is to really focus on my mindset, the preparation going into the show, my mindset during the show, and then how I kind of reflect and my mindset after the show.
Before the show
t’s so important to get your mind right where you kind of have confidence about your horse, where you are with your horse, and then also have a few goals of what you want to make better. So at this last show, I had two main things that I wanted to improve with Harvey. One of the biggest things is his walk. I’ve really struggled with him relaxing and taking nice big strides in his walk, so one of my goals was to get at least a 6.5 on his extended walk because that’s really hard for him. It was just an easy thing that is like, “Okay, this is my goal.”
Another one of my goals was that I really wanted to do better on the second day than the first day.
During the show
Something that I think is really important is visualization. So before my test, I sit down and go through every single movement, how it will feel, what it will look like, what my body will be doing, what the horse’s canter will be feeling like. This tool is so important, and it’s a way that you can practice without wearing out your horse. You can mentally practice your test.
For example, with my Grand Prix horse, I’ve been having a little tricky time at home sometimes with the two tempis. She wants to anticipate and just do ones because she’s such a good horse and such an overachiever. So in my mind, I just kept going through, “Okay, here’s how I want the canter to feel, here’s my turn onto the diagonal, I’m gonna get her straight, and then I’m gonna start in those two tempis.” Visualization is so important.
The other thing that’s so important is just focus. When I get on my horse at the show, everything else disappears. I am totally zoned in on my horse. I’m not looking at who’s watching me, I’m not talking to anyone else. I’m a hundred percent focused on my horse. When you’re at the show, it’s all about you and your horse. And for me, it’s also about being there for my students.
After the show
After the show it’s really important to reflect and to watch videos. It’s so important, you need to get someone to video your rides. Go through your rides, watch it, watch it movement by movement, read the judges’ comments, read the marks.
So focus on what you need to improve, what you want to improve, and go home and practice it.
One of my goals this year is I’m gonna start a show journal, so after every show, I’m gonna write my biggest takeaway, my score, what the judge said, what I want to make better for the next time, and then what I did well, what I was happy with.
Those are just some tips, I hope you find these helpful!
Also don’t forget to check out my Blue Ribbon Competition Courses!
Happy Riding!
Amelia
