Competition nerves help!

[J_sarahd]

Basically what do people do to get rid of competition nerves?

I never had them this bad on my old pony who I was competing higher than Badger. But tomorrow is our fourth show and I already feel sick. I will probably go for about 73838 wees tomorrow and will feel sick until I’m about three fences into the course.

I don’t know why I’m so nervous as I’m not over facing either of us and it’s well within our capability. I’d still get this nervous whether it was a 40cm clear round or the 75cm we are doing tomorrow!!

any tips, tricks, lotions or potions?

 

[blood_magik]

I’m the same. Doesn’t matter if it’s 70 or 1.10 I still feel sick. I usually can’t sleep the night before.

Ive recently changed trainers so I’m going to try to put his advice into practice today:
Get a good canter, sort out the rhythm and then ride a straight line to and from each fence. Hoping this will keep me busy enough that I forget to be nervous ?

As long as the canter is powerful enough it shouldn’t matter if you’re off - you can only ever be half a stride out anyways if you think about it.

good luck tomorrow

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Try breathing exercises and yoga from YouTube- I was very skeptical but it does work! Also there is a range of calming products organic home made they originally only made them for horses if they got jittery at events but they have a human biscuit version too. They have no chemicals and definitely take the edge off! They are called premier performance and the horse ones are fab, and I’ve only used the human cookies once but they did help. But focusing on your breathing, deep breaths in and out (not fast!) will lower your heart rate. Also try to remember it is meant to be for fun, if you feel self conscious remember most people are too busy with their own horses and are just as nervous! There are lots of positive visualisation techniques you can find on the web too. X

 

[Adoni123]

When I feel like this my plan is:

Get some sleeping tablets from the chemist for the night before! Any sleep is better than no sleep at all. I also have a 'sleepy tea' which you can find in tescos etc. Hot milk, hot shower/bath - I literally do every single thing I can to trick myself into wanting to sleep!

On the day rescue remedy all the way - I'm not sure if it's a placebo or not but I pop those pastilles constantly until it's time to go in case I choke! I really think it helps. Make yourself eat something for breakfast. No coffee! Just makes your anxiety worse. Rescue remedy spray too before I mount I spray about 10000 times

 

[Adoni123]

I should add - you can get rescue remedy in big tescos in the aisle where they have the medication honestly get some!!

 

[j1ffy]

I used to be awful with nerves, I'm much better now and tend to only suffer when there's a big event or I really put pressure on myself to do well (usually that results in the opposite!).

The first step is to identify what is making you nervous - is it the timings and prep (e.g. being late or rushed, not having time to walk the course or warm up properly), forgetting something important, not performing to the level you had hoped?

Once you have identified the root cause, you can start to work on it. If it's prep stuff, it can help to write down a plan with timings then add plenty of contingency and write a list to tick off with equipment each time. If it's performance related, some sports psychology books or videos can be really helpful.

On the day, I find singing in the warmup helpful - very quietly as I have a terrible voice - as it keeps you breathing and relaxed. Have a plan for the warmup and focus on you and your horse, not on the others around you. Try to enjoy the relationship with your horse and tune into how they are feeling, remember it's supposed to be fun!

 

[JulesRules]

I think it's just a case of getting out there with the new partner.
I used to get an upset churning stomach in the morning before competing, but it's got better with going out regularly.

 

[Roxylola]

I only get the wee nerves now, as in I have to pee before I get on. And that's more an anxiety that I might need one when I'm riding if I dont go now (even though I went 5 minutes ago)
I think for me, I'm not putting any pressure on myself, I have nothing to prove and if it goes wrong well I am still putting myself out there having a go.
I do think nerves is very much a state of mind, I consider all of it to be a learning/schooling experience so I guess I'm less focused on the competition aspect.

 

[sheep]

This thread is really timely for me because I am going to be a nervous wreck tomorrow, first SJ in literally years ?
Lots of useful info here. Must remember to find my brave pants ?

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Identifying what aspect is making you nervous is a good tip, and for positive visualisation is great for getting me thinking positively about the day.

I surprised myself with terrible nerves this year before eventing Skylla, once I figured out the cause (fear of the unknown with her, I’ve not evented in years and she has never done it), they became easier to manage.

 

[sheep]

Identifying what aspect is making you nervous is a good tip, and for positive visualisation is great for getting me thinking positively about the day.

I surprised myself with terrible nerves this year before eventing Skylla, once I figured out the cause (fear of the unknown with her, I’ve not evented in years and she has never done it), they became easier to manage.

I have a mega fear of refusals because of a fairly innocuous fall about 10 years ago ? I wasn’t badly hurt but I was unable to get back on straight away. I was only home for a weekend from a job overseas and wasn’t riding regularly then either. And didn’t ride regularly again until about 2 years after that ? a perfect storm!!
Big horse is pretty good tho. He can be a bit spooky but he has been jumping v well recently...

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I have a mega fear of refusals because of a fairly innocuous fall about 10 years ago ? I wasn’t badly hurt but I was unable to get back on straight away. I was only home for a weekend from a job overseas and wasn’t riding regularly then either. And didn’t ride regularly again until about 2 years after that ? a perfect storm!!
Big horse is pretty good tho. He can be a bit spooky but he has been jumping v well recently...

I got told off for not getting back on and jumping something in the warm up at skipton after falling off! It definitely doesn’t help to have a big break even after small falls.

when I can feel the nerves building I focus on regulating my breathing and visual it going perfectly, it does help me!

 

[sheep]

I got told off for not getting back on and jumping something in the warm up at skipton after falling off! It definitely doesn’t help to have a big break even after small falls.

when I can feel the nerves building I focus on regulating my breathing and visual it going perfectly, it does help me!

I will give that a bash. Once I get going I really enjoy it, it gives me a huge buzz so hopefully all goes well!! My fall back in the day, I wrecked my ankle and couldn’t walk for 3 wks, oops. Will try and avoid doing that tomorrow ?

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I will give that a bash. Once I get going I really enjoy it, it gives me a huge buzz so hopefully all goes well!! My fall back in the day, I wrecked my ankle and couldn’t walk for 3 wks, oops. Will try and avoid doing that tomorrow ?

Yeah definitely avoid doing that! ?

To be honest I’ve found the more I go out the less I get nervous, so just keep going!

 

[Muddywellies]

Only reason Rescue Remedy works is because its 27 % alcohol ?