Bad day eventing, sports phsycology ideas.....??

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AutumnRose

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So i've just got back from BCA, had a rubbish day!! I think i may need some sports phsycology and wondered if anyone had any ideas tips!!!

So today....Started well, 31 dressage. SJ was going very well and all except one jump was best round she's done. Oxer down hill and i made a stupid mistake and she stopped. Naughty to stop but can really blame her it was totally my fault. Anyway ignored it jumped perfectly 2nd time and finshed really nicely. I've had lots of trouble with her stopping previously but hasn't stoped for over 6 months and been double clear all events so far this year.

What i needed to do is put it behind me for xc but all the time i was getting changed/her ready etc i was thinking about the stop/what i did wrong/my fault/going to remind her about the stopping etc...!! Stupid i know but at the time its so hard to get a grip!! So basically set out xc like a muppet and sure enough she stopped at 4 different fences and got as far as jump 10!!

Why can't i control my mind, its like once you plant that seed of doubt it just takes control. I'm so disappointed i let my lovely, talented mare down today. Does anyone know much about sports psycology/anyone that specialises in horse etc???

Any tips or thoughts would be great. I have a fab trainer whos an advanced rider herself but i always wonder if really good pro's know what its like to lose your focus like that??
 
I haven't tried Sports Psychology, but I can highly recommend Jo Cooper (www.jo-cooper.com) who does TFT and has helped me immensely with various aspects of competing, both equine and rock climbing - I'm the rock climbing testimonial.
 
I totally understand where you are coming from, as soon as you start thinking negatively, you start to ride negatively, it effects the whole thing THAT much
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The thing to do is to turn the negatives into positives, when she stopped, you said yourself, you came around and jumped it perfectly second time, THAT is what you should have focused on, NOT the mistake you made. I have no doubt that most of the problems were caused by your nerves, this used to happen to me until I made myself chill out about things and take everything in my stride. I'm not saying I don't get nervous because I do but I don't think about it, I think about the courses and how to ride each fence and just focus on that rather than the mistakes I may have just made.

Hope this makes sense?
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I've had the exact same experience today! Dressage was good but b oth the sj and xc were awful. I just couldn't stop being negative. It was really bad.
 
My friend is a sports psychologist and has helped me loads with my confidence, I can't recommend her enough!! She's helping another HHO at the mo and also my YO who SJ's to a good level. If you want her details then PM me!!
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AutumnRose, I had a very similar experience at BCA yesterday. Was lying second in my section, after a 27 dressage and a clear jumping and just heaped pressure onto myself and rode like a muppet. Horse was awful in warm up but likely because I was so tense and he ran out at the first and I fell off in front of everyone warming up and just after the commentator had introduced me as 'one to watch'.....I know its slightly different but I'm also thinking of trying something as I'm sure its 100% mental as we can do XC courses (when I'm on a rubbish score). Let me know if you have success!
 
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