10 Tips for Riding Under Pressure

As seen in the October 2018 edition of Horse Deals Magazine

New South Wales dressage rider and eventer, Grace Kay sure knows a thing or two about riding under pressure; at Tamworth in the CIC2, she led from start to finish with her gelding Celerity Park Faberge. We asked Grace for her 10 tips for riding well under pressure.

1. Mental visualisation
This is the most important and effective tool that I use to handle high-pressure situations. I will spend a lot of time before each phase, especially after walking the showjumping and cross country courses, riding each and every fence in my mind. Thinking things like; how will this feel, where will my body be at each stride, how will I set up for this jump. Mentally visualising gives your subconscious a plan to stick to and whilst it may not always come off the way you had intended, it’s a great way to be prepared.

2. Do the work beforehand
Competitions are an opportunity to showcase the many hours of preparation you have done before the event. When under pressure think back to how many times you have done similar or the same exercises at home, and take comfort that you are prepared and able to produce the required skills. Don’t get to the competition and try and change things up. Stick to what you’ve done.

3. Eat something
Often times when riding under pressure eating is the last thing you want to do but to ensure that your brain keeps functioning quickly and sharply it’s important to give it some fuel. I don’t like anything dense or heavy but things like bananas, apples and muesli bars are a great way to keep going without feeling slow and full.

4. Trust yourself
Trust in your ability to achieve at the highest level.

5. Trust your horse
Build a partnership with your horse, and trust in their ability to achieve as well as your own. They are magnificent animals and deserve to be proud of their work, trusting them when you are under the pump helps relieve some of the pressure you may feel and allows them the independence to perform at their best. Of course, if you have a nervous horse who relies heavily on you, take comfort in the trust they place in you and focus on the responsibility to give them the best ride and feeling you possibly can.

6. Focus on the things you can control
Operating under pressure requires focus and determination, focussing on your partner in times of stress can help to reorganise your thoughts and zone into things that you can control which will enhance your performance. Worrying about everything else going on around you will lead to distraction and small mistakes. In the warm-up think about how the horse is moving, is there something you can improve or do to help?

7. Break the task down into smaller goals
After leading from the dressage in the last two three day events, it’s often a very daunting next 48 hours! I try and break down the next two days into smaller achievable goals. Focussing just on riding a clear cross country round, ensuring I know the plan for every part of the course and being decisive in that plan. Then only thinking about the showjumping or next phase once that is done.

8. Positive self talk
When under pressure it’s important to build self-belief. Self-talk is a really powerful tool in changing your mindset and building confidence. I often use positive reinforcing statements that are directly related to the goals I want to achieve. Such as; I will ride a clear cross country course, I will ride positively into combination XYZ with my shoulders back and lower leg on. I will come home with a big smile after achieving another clear round.

9. Find a way to get into your “zone”
Everyone has their own way of calming their mind and achieving focus, some listen to music or do something physical like cleaning. For me, it’s finding a quiet place where I can go over my plan for the next ride. I also know that I won’t feel completely confident until I sit on my horses back, so instead of worrying that I don’t feel 100% whilst preparing I push that aside, focus on my plan and then look forward to getting on where I know, I will feel better. Often fighting your body and focussing too much on the nervousness you are feeling makes it much more difficult to zone it out. Understanding what you’re feeling and finding what works best for you is important.

10. Don’t forget to have fun!
We are involved in an absolutely amazing sport and when competing it's easy to get so wrapped up in what we are individually doing, we forget to enjoy the challenge. Look at the pressure you are feeling as another enjoyable challenge, smile, give your horse a pat, say thank you to the people trying to help you and enjoy the feeling of having an animal ten times your size work alongside you!

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