Can I jump in?-Sports Psychology/Advice...

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Eventerlad15

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Firstly, sorry for the rant/ramble you are about to be met with. I hardly post on here now, just lurk. Anyway, basically I need your advice!

So, after a fruitful winter where things were really starting to shape up in both the dressage and jumping we have had a few issues this season so far. At unaffiliated dressage we had regular 60+ dressage scores and were jumping clear at Newcomers BSJA. However; we get to an event and all the training goes out of the window.

At home, the horses are going really nicely, and I can actually ride. My new quote is 'At events I feel like I prevent a disaster, rather than create a masterpiece'! Once I am in the arena I just go blank, and forget to ride, rather I point and shoot. At Central Scotland yesterday (just had duncan) I rode much more in a rythmn and at a better pace; stuidly though I went wrong and forgot the two med canters! In the showjumping I get tense, and focus on getting round, not jumping clear. Again, both he and shannah are jumping spot on form at home. We had a terrible warm-up, then had two down. He is such a scopey horse, and yes he is quirky but I let him down-IN THE RING! XC he has always been spot on so far with me, but yesterday he refused to play ball and after jumping most of the course better than he has ever done before he had 3 stops; totally unlike him!

Central Scotland aside; we think, as trotted him up afterwards his pelvis is not 100%. Anyone have any tips for 'positive thinking'? I am constantly told not to put pressure on myself, and calm etc..and it works at home and then I get to the event and my mind 'goes'. I feel this constant pressure on 'BE RECORDS', and have aims I want to do and know we can do!

Sorry for my flow of babble, but as I said I need to alter my mindset sharpish and need some help! Anyone have any experience with sport psyc's? Our lastest tactic was to use alcohol; I had two shots of vodka before Central Scot! I know I can do this; and WANT to sooooo much..just need to hange my mindset.

Phone numbers/advice/help much appreciated.

Thanks!
 
i had a few sessions (i get nervous and think i am incapable, in a nutshell!) and it was so useful.
I'm studying sport psychology now and its so so interesting - i can spot things i do when i am competing a mile off! i would say its definatley worth looking into some help in that direction, even a few sessions have made the world of difference to me, you wouldnt believe how much it helps. definaltey money well spent i reckon.
 
Eventerlad15 said:
I know I can do this; and WANT to sooooo much..just need to change my mindset.
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I think that about sums it up, oh, and the comment about BE records. You're feeling the pressure already and then piling more on top because of what other people think too. A method of dealing with it, whether it's a ritual/routine, or just a different way of viewing your competing, sounds like what you need. I'm sure others will have names and numbers of people who can help but maybe going off to something unaffiliated to get it all back together might help?
 
You will get lots of good advice and references for sport psychologists etc. on here and it's worth at least talking to someone about it. But then you have to implement what that person advices, which can often be the tricky part.

Now, this next bit . . . please take this in the spirit in which it's intended and this is NOT directed at anyone personally, not even the OP . . .

There seems to be a real trend for relatively inexperienced young people to "market" themselves these days, perhaps because we have so many easy options open to us and it's so much more a part of the business as a whole. I was talking about this with someone in another, similar field this week and we both wondered if relatively young people, in a search for sponsors, horses to ride etc. were simply putting too much pressure on themselves and in fact setting up a situation where they were less likely to get the kind of results that attract sponsors and horses. After all, someone like Phoebe Buckley (to use an example on here recently) doesn't have a website to attract attention, she has it to showcase what she's already done and what she already offers as a business. She's not promising anything, she's already delivered. It's one thing to put pressure on yourself to repeat (or to promote) something you've already done, it's quite another to wind yourself up to produce a whole new level of success.

If horses are your business (and they are for even some very young people) then the results have to be there and whatever needs to be spent, in terms of time, money, effort etc gets spent. But in those cases the results came, at least somewhat, before the promotion and subsequent results, while important, don't have the same level of anxiety attached. (Although ask any pro going through a dry spell, there's no pressure like having people that are paying you on your case!) And I've seen good young riders literally have nervous breakdowns from the pressure they are under from coaches, parents etc. (I once saw the GP sj level daughter of a very famous rider/trainer refuse to leave the ring at a show because her father was at the gate, clearly intending to tear a strip off her for what was a relatively minor green mistake. :( ) Is this your situation? If so, you do need some serious help to cope with it because that's an unfair level of pressure to put on a kid. But if it's something you're doing for fun (and if you're not having fun and not making a living at it, there needs to be a rethink) then the records are important yes, but they have to take a back seat to a more general level type of progress as a rider, horseman, and businessman.

Which is not to say you shouldn't look for sponsors etc. There are a couple of great examples on here of people who have had very good luck promoting themselves at a "grass roots" level, being very upfront that what they have to offer is not winning all the time in good company but representing a broader target market of "regular" riders. If they win, fab, but it's a bonus and nobody is going to freak if they don't.

I'm sorry, I suspect this will be taken the wrong way and be put down to me being old and cranky. But when I was young (ah, yes ;) ) you didn't "put yourself out there" until you were winning, that way, if you failed, you failed in private. ;) Could it be that you've simply heaped too much pressure on yourself to win? Why? What does it REALLY matter? Will you not eat if you don't? Will your parents sell your horse? Will your future be blighted for all eternity? I doubt it. It may seem the most important thing in the world now but really, it's not. If you're going to be a "good pro" there are years to go and many things to learn. As you say, you're growing as a rider, and that's the most important thing.
 
shark1 said:
i had a few sessions (i get nervous and think i am incapable, in a nutshell!) and it was so useful.
I'm studying sport psychology now and its so so interesting - i can spot things i do when i am competing a mile off! i would say its definatley worth looking into some help in that direction, even a few sessions have made the world of difference to me, you wouldnt believe how much it helps. definaltey money well spent i reckon.
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Shark1 - hey what did you study at college to get onto sports psychology? thankyou :)
 
i'd suggest going to a few more low key events like unaff, schooling rounds sj or dressage where theres less pressure.
u cud also video ur riding at home or lessons and at BE events and compare. make a loist phraps of good points of ur riding so b4 u start ur BE event u can hav key words like "seat", "kick" or "hands" to prompt u to do something well
i also saw in H&H top riders tips for dressage and 1 said think of somethin 2 make u laugh, someone said "squidgy bum" to them and it seemed to work. but everyones different.
i find visualising me riding the course perfectly in my mind helps (well it helps my nerves but not neccesarily the way the horse goes)!
good luck and remember ur only trying to do as well as u can for yourself.
those that matter dont mind and those that mind dont matter.
 
I have to say this is a subject I am very interested in. As an older amateur rider I haven't got the pressures of young rider trying to make a career and I have very supportive people around me yet I am the most terrible self doubter! I put huge amount of pressure on myself particularly wit h Sarnie and this certainly doesn't help my riding. For me with a horse that will never be sold the record doesn't matter like that yet it does as I feel any blip onit with such a talented horse is totally my fault. I am currently in 'I can't do dressage phase' and would love to find some good coping mechanisms!
 
Very wise words from Tarrsteps.
If you are struggling with the pressure now, then perhaps you do need a whole new approach to the sport.
FWIW I was very successful on a 13.2hh as a junior, to the point my average placing over an entire season was 1.2 ( I was sad enough to keep lists,like an old type of paper spreadsheet!).
I then had a break of about 4 or 5 years and started eventing, I realised pretty quickly how serious this was, but it was my hobby,and I didn't need to get results to impress anyone because I was paying my way, the more at ease I was the better the results!
 
I agree with Tarrsteps, but I think its more of a competitive young person thing than something rooted in self-promotion. Its the idea that there's always someone who'll be looking at your record saying you aren't doing very well. My sister hates riding dressage tests at our local RC as she feels everyone is looking and discussing her- when she did BE she wasn't half as fussed or stressed as no one had the foggiest as to who she was!

If I were you, I'd take a deep breath, step back from thinking that everyone's looking at you. I always remind myself that I'm only 18, and no one knows who the hell I am, and therefore don't really care what I do. That way, I only let me down. If all else fails, the phrase "Sod them all" fits with a canter beautifully, so its what I chant as I go round!
 
Oh, I would definitely agree it's a "young" - and not so young - thing.:) We all think everyone else has nothing better to do than keep track of and comment on what we're up to. It predates the internet and social networking by a loooong way. And I don't think that's all of the pressure at all. My point was only it's a layer of fairly significant pressure that simply does not have to be for someone not yet doing it for a living. And even then, there's a good reason most professionals don't talk in detail about their specific goals, future plans etc. outside their small circle - even the very tough minded realise that's just more pressure than anyone needs.
 
I totally sympathise with your situation as someone who has gone through the whole junior system, and am now in Young Riders.

Your situation sounds very similar to mine- I am extremely consiencious, verging on a perfectionist. I was always happy doing relitively well, until I won the first JRN I entered. This suddenly heaps on a huge amount of expectation, I was approached by the JRN coordinator, who told me that if i "kept it up" I might be considered for Weston Park Champs. So far this had been little more than a dream, so I put myself under intense pressure to achieve, and suddenly had to step it up about 5 gears. This stressed out both the horse and I and weston was pretty much a disaster!

You are clearly incredibly competitive, and you will be competing against your best friends. When they win, you have to be happy for them, but it cements it in your mind that you are not the one winning. I think that there is definitely an element which makes you feel that you are left behind, and worry, because eg. you need to drop down to OPN because thats whats right for the horse.

I think that Juniors is a very tricky stage to deal with. There is a great deal of money, and Incredible horsepower. People are literally fighting for the selectors attention, and although the whole process is very simple (the best combinations will eventually get on the team) there is definitey a sense of some people being on an "inside track". Now in young riders, a lot of people have fallen a way, and on the whole everything is a lot more established and has calmed down.

What I really valued, and made the winning difference with me, was the help of my trainer. He completely backed me, and stood my ground, where my non-eventing parents couldn't justify my choices of runs, etc. What i think would make the real difference in your case is that you clearly need someone to instill a little self belief. I suffered all the "ring symptoms" you describe, but when I could see my trainer out of the corner of my eye at the edge of the arena/ ring, I knew I had to grow up and get on with it, or I would have a MASSIVE *******ing afterwards.

You need the self confidence to transmit to your horse.... You need to be able to believe that you look good in the ring, and not that the people who are watching at BE are judging you. It is much easier to get high scores unaff BD than with all the pro's looking incredible trotting around you in the warm up at BE.

My advice is always to make your own plans for the season, AND STICK TO THEM. I was told this time and time again by people who were in young riders, but felt it hard to believe it would work. Dont let yourself be too influenced by your peers/ selectors.

I hope that Im not making too many assumptions here, and that this is relevant in part?! Feel absolutely free to PM me if you want.

If it helps, I tried absolutely everything to deal with nerves, to the point where, when i was 14, I drank an entire bottle of rescue remedy before the SJ, and missed out 2 fences.

Good Luck xx
 
Shark1- thats good to hear, its definetly something I will consider and need to look into it!

Baydale- I agree with what your saying. Strangely enough though its just the dr/sj that I worry about; not so much the xc as I know he went very well barr attitude. dont think unaff is the key though, as its not a totl disaster (maybe made it out to be one) just an extra fence down sj or 4 marks worse dr.

TarrSteps-some wise words of wisdom there! I agree with the whole pressure/self-promotion thing. Even if I want to to it seriously, if I heep this pressure I am helping no-one! Its not pressure from trainer/mother and they are very helpful and realise my issues and as I said its nothing major, just that whole 'enjoyment' factor-which I have almost all of the time

Princess1- you have got me figured out to a T. Very interesting to hear your opinions and experiences and think that generally there is so much more of a desire to do well and be competitive when you are competing against bcompetitive people all wanting the same. I may well PM you!

Some very helpful comments there. I do think getting it on video is very inportant all I need to remember to do is 'breathe'. I am getting better, and AI am now realising what I do wrong and can work towards imporovment mentally.

Thanks for your opinions-some real food for thought there!
 
I found this book really helpful.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Simple-Step...r_1_34?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272309798&sr=1-34

It breaks things down and makes you plan in small detail. It also gives you tips about how to deal with stress.

I was one of those who put myself under huge pressure. But have since had a disastrous time with horses and now I enjoy anything I can get. I have chilled out about things and 'enjoy the journey' more. I am also a member of a RC and I find this really helpful as see so much dreadful riding it helps make feel better about my own (sounds awful) I think at BE you spend so much time warming up next to big guns or megabucks that you forget that actually you can do a good job and that you are good enough to be there.
 
Hi Eventerlad, i think we have all been there at some point. If you are ever interested in the sports psychologist route we do have a great lady who comes regularly up to us and works with the GB event lot. I don't think you are too far from me so pm me if you would like info or look on our website.
 
Eventerlad, you have just put into words something I have been struggling with. I found a very talented quirky mare 2 years ago, I broke her, she was incredibly hot and fizzy but safe, I started with a dressage trainer and then a SJ trainer, I've turned her on a full circle every lesson we impress more and more to both instructors...............then I go to compete, and it's like i just learnt to ride a week ago, it doesn't matter if it's somewhere I've hired or a affaliated comp or a RC thing, I have so much pressure on my shoulders from me........it's like now i've got the mare rideable, but i've just got to learn to ride her, yet when i'm in a lesson i've loads of confidence and nothing is an issue.....................i have to say it's really starting to get me down, instead of enjoying it I'm starting to dread going places........and it's all in my head. My friend give me a stern lecture last week and it has helped me a little i'm just hoping i can carry it through to the weekend and at least get a bit of confidence going round. I'm just in it for the hobby so it's not like i'm trying to impress anyone, the mare is my own so i've no one else to please. so I'm in full sympathy with you, if I find the key I'll let you know. good luck. xo
 
TarrSteps said:
Which is not to say you shouldn't look for sponsors etc. There are a couple of great examples on here of people who have had very good luck promoting themselves at a "grass roots" level, being very upfront that what they have to offer is not winning all the time in good company but representing a broader target market of "regular" riders. If they win, fab, but it's a bonus and nobody is going to freak if they don't.
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I think this is key eventerlad TS has hit the nail on the head. Having a website and blog and sponsors etc can seem like a huge weight of responsibility, and if you let it it can become too much of a negative pressure. I think I manage to avoid this by keeping things casual, and honest. My results are (if we are being frank) pretty rubbish and that alone wouldn't tempt even the most generous sponsor but for me it's not about the results (yet) it's still about the journey. I've never had the horse power, time or money to achieve any great results as of yet but I hope to improve as I go along, I'm not a pro and it's not my living so I can be more relaxed about my rate of progress. I market myself my desire to improve, my enthusiasm for the sport and my ability to promote my sponsors this way if I come last or first I know I have tried the best I can and that's all I can do there is no expectation of success it's just a bonus if it happens.

I think you need to avoid being caught up in the 'mini pro culture' it will only make you feel inadequate and intimidated by the actual pros, maybe adopt a more casual tone on your site, and keep public ambitions a level below your actual personal aims, you need to allow yourself a little slack not always aim for 100% perfection that way you will still enjoy the sport, and it is supposed to be fun after all, if you are relaxed and happy then the horses will pick up on that and it will all fall into place.

Good luck and don't get screwed up about results and performance remember when you compete in reality you are only competing against yourself, it's a journey of self improvement not a race against others :)

I hope that helps :)
 
From what I've read J I have to agree with Princess1, I know its easy for me to say but I think from our conversations you get quite focused on what is going on around you. I've seen people warming up for PN's and they have all the "good pros" trotting round on horses that are in the 1* or whatever, and you start to compare themselves to them, which is completly unrealistic!
I think you have to go into 'a bubble' and just block out everything thats going on around you and totally focus on you and the horse or alternativley just imagine your back at home(probably without me and K and george crashing around in the bushes though!). Duncan and Shannah are boths dudes though and when you chill out it'll all be fab :D
 
Chloe_GHE- again, very useful info and you have helped me even further!

CS- Actually, I think if you, K and G were there it may actually make me relax as when I ride at home chaatting away to I or mum I am so much more relaxed! :)
 
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